We seem to constantly be bombarded by info and complaints about the so-called ‘pink tax’; the idea that women have to pay more to live at the same standard of living.

A lot of this idea is rooted in the additional and supposedly inflated costs for menstrual products, clothing, and other cosmetic upcharges, etc.

However, I’d argue that men are under greater financial duress constantly, ignoring lifestyle factors that cause even greater financial burden (I.e, addiction, hobbies, etc.) and other factors men face (divorce, lower spending [women spend a lot of men’s income]).

Even ignoring all that, men:

  • Consume 25% more calories and thus spend much more on food

  • Spend more on car insurance (women constitute more crashes per capita but men drive way more for work and such)

  • Spend more on life insurance due to earlier death

  • Spend more on gas, vehicular maintenance, etc. due to driving habits often driven by employment needs

  • Men are much more likely to have hair loss problems at an earlier age, which can lead to expensive treatment regimes

  • Sneakers cost much more for men than women

  • Men pay more in taxes and get less tax credits (tax credit discrepancy still exists if income is equalized)

  • Bars/clubs often cost more for men than women due to special discounts dished out for women

  • Disability insurance costs more for men

  • Etc.

I’m not advocating for men getting special treatment or anything I just think it’s important to keep in mind that men pay more for a lot of things out of their control- the Blue Tax is a lot more real and uncontrollable than the pink one imho.