Pantene
"…elegantly addresses the double-standards women often face at work.”
- Business Insider, December 10, 2013
“The United Nations recognized Pantene with the Breaking Gender Stereotypes Award”
FAUX-FEMINISM.
Do women say “sorry” too much? Do we face double standards in the workplace? Of course.
But, there are more important narratives to be aware of before we celebrate the empowering message in these ads. 1 in 4 women are told their appearance is a “distraction” in the workplace. In some businesses, women have been sent home for not confirming to an antiquated requirement to wear heels.
1 in 4 women are told their appearance is a "distraction" in the workplace.
More concerning is the lack of awareness around racial undertones in this ad. Each model in the ad showed sleek, straightened hair - perpetuating the stigma that natural hair can actually be a career liability for women of color. See what happened when someone Googled "unprofessional hairstyles for work." In some cases women of color are sent home and told to chemically straighten their hair in order to keep (or get) a job.
As we’re in this category, it’s worth noting that women spend $426B annually on beauty products to look hot at work. That’s $141B more than their male colleagues, while making 79 cents to their dollar (if she’s white.)
WOMEN SPEND $426B ANNUALLY ON BEAUTY PRODUCTS - $141B MORE THAN MEN - WHILE MAKING 79 cents to their $1.
Further reading:
'Pink tax' means women still pay more for goods and services, USA Today, March 29, 2018
Women Are Charged $100,000 More for the Same Products as Men. Inc Magazine
This Video Will Make You Think Twice the Next Time You Apologize, Cosmopolitan, June 18, 2014
Why Women Pay More, Marie Claire, March 15, 2012
“From dry cleaning to haircuts, women often pay more than men due to gender pricing.”
