Why was Pink for Boys and Blue for Girls?

Summary

This video explores the fascinating history behind the color associations of pink and blue for boys and girls. It traces the evolution from the 19th century, when babies wore unisex white dresses, to the shift in the early 20th century when colors were first introduced. It delves into the role of fashion, advertising, and technology, including the rise of ultrasounds, in shaping gendered clothing choices. The video reveals how cultural norms, marketing strategies, and changing perceptions of gender roles influenced the colors we now associate with each gender, ultimately questioning the logic behind these color assignments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pink was once considered the color for boys and blue for girls, contrary to today's common gender associations.
• 😀 Babies in the 19th century mostly wore white gowns or dresses, which were unisex and practical for easy diaper changes.
• 😀 The tradition of boys wearing dresses lasted until they were around 6 or 7 years old, and it was considered normal for both genders.
• 😀 Color-specific clothing for babies, including pink and blue, didn't become common until the mid-19th century, and it wasn't initially tied to gender.
• 😀 The assignment of colors to genders (pink for girls, blue for boys) didn't solidify until after World War I, with some style guides suggesting the opposite.
• 😀 In the early 20th century, manufacturers and department stores promoted both pink for boys and blue for girls.
• 😀 Some 1918 style guides argued that pink was more suitable for boys due to its strength, and blue was better for girls due to its delicacy.
• 😀 By the 1940s, gendered clothing colors became more standardized, but pink and blue could have easily been reversed.
• 😀 The marketing of gender-specific baby products gained momentum in the 1940s, though the trend wasn't fully entrenched until the 1980s with advancements in ultrasound technology.
• 😀 The rise of gender-specific colors for babies was tied to consumerism, with companies promoting products based on gender to increase sales, especially after ultrasounds allowed for early gender predictions.

Q & A

Why was pink associated with boys and blue with girls in the past?

In the late 19th century, pink was considered a stronger, more decisive color, making it more suitable for boys, while blue, seen as delicate and dainty, was thought to be more fitting for girls. This was the reverse of the modern gender color association.

What did babies wear before the color-coding of pink and blue?

Before pink and blue became gendered, babies typically wore unisex white gowns or dresses, with the color depending on the fabric used, rather than a specific gender color code.

At what age did boys stop wearing dresses in the 19th century?

Boys typically wore dresses until around the age of 6 or 7, when they would also receive their first haircuts.

How did color-coding for gender in baby clothes emerge?

The idea of color-coded clothing for babies began to emerge in the mid-19th century, but the practice of aligning specific colors with gender didn't fully solidify until after World War I.

Why was the rule of 'pink for boys and blue for girls' suggested in 1918?

In 1918, the suggestion was made because pink, being a stronger color, was thought to be more suitable for boys, while blue, a gentler color, was considered more appropriate for girls.

When did the switch to blue for boys and pink for girls fully take place?

The clear association of pink with girls and blue with boys took hold in the 1940s, particularly as manufacturers began making color-coordinated clothing for boys and girls based on what they believed consumers would prefer.

How did the rise of the women’s liberation movement impact color-coded clothing for children?

In the 1960s and 1970s, the women's liberation movement led to an easing of rigid gender-specific clothing, with some unisex clothing becoming popular again, offering girls more freedom of movement.

What role did ultrasound technology play in the color-coding of baby clothes?

In the 1980s, as ultrasound technology improved and allowed parents to know the gender of their baby, manufacturers began creating more gender-specific products, including clothing, for boys and girls, further cementing the pink-blue association.

Why did the color-coding of baby clothes become more pronounced in the 20th century?

The color-coding of baby clothes became more pronounced in the 20th century due to manufacturers' marketing strategies, capitalizing on parents' desire to purchase new clothing for specific genders rather than reuse unisex items.

How do cultural perceptions of colors vary globally?

Colors can hold different meanings across cultures. For example, red symbolizes mourning in South Africa but represents good luck in China, while blue has religious significance in Judaism, Catholicism, and Hinduism. This highlights that color associations are not universally tied to gender.