A mom recently returned a pink t-shirt she had purchased for her son after her husband wouldn't let their little one wear it.
We'd like to think that gender stereotypes are becoming a thing of the past. How some people react to pregnancy and babies would suggest that not to be the case. At that stage in life, pink is associated with girls and blue with boys. It's why some parents want to know the gender of their child as soon as possible. That way they can start buying clothes and decorating using the "right" color.
Associating certain colors with certain genders split the internet recently thanks to a revelation by clothing company, Fred & Noah. It revealed on its Facebook page that a pink t-shirt featuring a giraffe had been returned. The reason for the refund? "Beautiful top but my husband won’t let my son wear it." We're assuming that's due to it being pink and nothing to do with the animal on the front.
RELATED: Shay Mitchell Announces She's Having A Girl Via Power Rangers-Themed Gender Reveal
Fred & Noah had a little fun with the post, ending it with "New PINK giraffe T shirt now online - also available in boy appropriate colours." Amusing, but perhaps a little worrying too. However, in the comments beneath the post, many parents revealed that they would be more than happy for their children to wear the t-shirt, regardless of gender.
Perhaps the most baffling part of the pink/blue gender association is that it isn't really rooted in any history. In fact, Newsweek explains that as recently as the 1920s it was the other way round. Pink was seen as a strong color intended for men while blue was the delicate color favored by women.
It wasn't until the 1940s and 50s that those roles were switched, and those are the stereotypes that exist until this day. Sadly, as was also pointed out in the comments under the Fred & Noah post, even if your child knows nothing of the pink and blue divide during the first few years of their life, they will have it drilled into them once they head out into the world. Who knows? Maybe in a decade or so, pink and blue will switch back once again.
NEXT: Licking A Baby's Soother Clean Can Cause Allergies & Asthma