‘Pink for girls, blue for boys’ labels should be changed

The nation’s human rights watchdog has called for changes to the practices in which girls’ items are colored pink while boys’ toys are blue, saying these practices can make children develop gender stereotypes.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) expressed this opinion in response to a complaint filed by the civic group, Political Mamas, against eight children’s products manufacturers. But it dismissed the complaint, which it viewed did not meet legal requirements.

In January of last year, the civic group said that companies use blue for boys’ items and pink for girls’ items, ranging from clothes, toothbrushes and pacifiers to toys and stationery, often putting labels saying “For girls” on pink items and “For boys” on blue ones.

The civic group said that such classifications deprive children and parents of their rights to choose. It also pointed out that some toys, like toy kitchens, are displayed only in sections for girls and that this segregation pushes stereotypical gender roles on children.

In response, the NHRCK said that producing and selling children’s products according to the categorization of pink for girls and blue for boys has negative effects, reinforces gender stereotypes among children and leads to social prejudice and discrimination.

“Companies should change this practice towards a more gender-neutral direction, recognizing their social responsibility,” it said.

However, the watchdog dismissed the complaint itself, concluding that the petition was not subject to review as there were no specific discriminatory acts. “Although the companies put ‘For girls’ and ‘For boys’ labels on products based on their pink or blue color, they don’t limit consumers’ choices,” it said, meaning that, despite the labels, girls are free to buy blue items and boys can buy pink ones.