Pricing Discrimination

[tyrven]

An Ontario, Canada legislator is proposing a bill that would make "gender pricing" (e.g., different prices for men and women's haircuts or clothes) a human rights violation and a fineable offense. [Source].

What do you think about this?

Comments

[belovedrooster]

EXCELLENT!

I don't necessarily think it is a human rights violation, but it has never ceased to piss me off that the same designer can charge $15 for a ladies' thong and $10 for men's briefs. Take a look at the prices in Mario's between men and women's clothing. Men's shirts run $150-$200 and a women's blouse (less fabric, minimalist styling) will run twice that much.

While I understand the argument that if women wouldn't pay for it it wouldn't exist, it is also necessary to take into consideration that the likelihood of women rebelling by not clothing tehir children or switching to less expensive menwear is not reasonable given career expectations and hip girth.

I feel a haircut should be a single price, and if styling is involved the price needs to go up. Trimming long hair is much simpler than styling male locks, yet women will still get charged $5-$10 more.

[tyrven]

What about thrift stores? Also, there are plenty of new clothing options that look hip or professional and yet cost notably less than what designer labels and brand names carry them for. About 65% of my wardrobe cost less than $20 - and that's not because it's made for men but because I shop around.

[belovedrooster]

This is my reaction to the fashion industry as well - I am usually unwilling to pay retail and don't seek designer labels because I can't afford them, although I wouldn't pay such prices even if I could afford them. Money can go to far better things than Prada shoes, and I'm insulted that Prada would even think to charge me $700 for a pair of flip-flops made in Taiwan.

Even off labels will charge more for male clothing than female clothing. Male clothing uses more fabric and likely costs more to make, so why the price discrepancy?
This is, of course, for like items - like cotton underwear, tee-shirts and standard straight-legged jeans. I would expect to pay more for lace, certain cuts, and intricate weave patterns or embroidery.

[tyrven]

I'd argue that it costs more because women are, ultimately, willing to pay more. I think this is rooted in female conditioning to ideals of beauty; many men see clothing as functional and as such aren't willing to pay that much for it, so if a manufacturer wants to sell to men, they have to concede to that economy (just like how my company's services are worth less money to certain types of businesses who don't value design as much, even though our quality standards are the same regardless

[runwithyou]

i really am not sure how i feel about the prices for men and women's clothes. how can the prices be equal? after working in retail ... i suppose i do not see much difference in the prices.

as for haircuts ... i just paid $40 for my trim and the guy infront of me paid $15. WHAT?

[runwithyou]

ha. thinking about it now, i suppose the prices for men's and women's clothing do differ.

but if women are paying the price, why would anyone want change it? even though i really did not want to pay $40 for a haircut ... i did.

[herbaliser]

I pay $20 or less for my haircuts. I don't spend a lot of money on clothes, because, guess what, I don't think it's worth it. Why should I spend over a hundred dollars on a pair of jeans when I can thrift them for $30 or less? God how the fashion industry pisses me off.

[tyrven]

Wait, I'm confused. You're voluntarily paying under $20 for your haircut without the government's aid? That's incredible.

That aside, I suspect it would be tired and trite for me to observe the irony of your comment in context of who you're dating, so I won't.

[herbaliser]

i think it's retarded; of course women's shit is more expensive if men are buying t-shirts and fucking hoodies. equivalent stuff maybe should be equivalent priced, and men should fucking well dress better and wear makeup and have to buy tampons. Right?

[tyrven]

I fully expected you to have this opinion.

[herbaliser]

i am soooo predictable

[tyrven]

Admirably, in this case.

"age pricing"

[candid]

Hopefully they'll take on the "Senior Citizen Discount" next. My "human rights" feel violated every time I go to Sizzler.

Re: "age pricing"

[tyrven]

I agree. This is just a small and necessary step towards justice. I ought to be driving a Bentley and the fact that I am discriminated against based on my income violates the principles of equality.

Re: "age pricing"

[velvet]

My human rights feel violated every time anyone goes to Sizzler.

[gfrancie]

about fuckin' time. It is just hair!

[tyrven]

Something that does bother me is the fact that women have a lot more options for clothing than men. It's really difficult to find well-designed or unique male fashion under $100. The whole thing is nothing less than discrimination, a violation of our human rights. Perhaps the government could force the fashion industry to produce the same variety for men as they do for women?

[gfrancie]

Most men's clothing and fashion and inspiration originally came from military uniforms and other then that there hasn't been much evolution in men's clothing since the 19th century.

Women don't have that much more stuff to choose from. We just have more accessories.

[tyrven]

"Women don't have that much more stuff to choose from" - you really think so? I often go shopping with girls I date and I'm always amazed at how much more interesting and diverse female clothing is, even within a single designer. Take Kenneth Cole, for instance (who I like quite a bit): most of the men's shirts are very similar in cut and vary in pattern or color. Conversely, women have a variety of different types of blouses, pant lengths, skirt styles, dresses, angles/cuts, buttons (mens buttons are usually an afterthought), etc.

Of course, it could be argued that 90% of this variety is extraneous and tacky ... I would argue that while I think men have less diversity there is also less deviation of quality.