Girls love pink. Why do girls love pink?
26.4.2016
Translation: machine translated
Candy pink, bright pink, fuchsia - girls love all these shades and love dressing up in them. And why is that?
Science has two theories: one from the point of view of biological evolution and the other cultural. From the point of view of biological evolution, women would need a weakness for red tones to be able to discern and pick ripe berries and other edible plants from the green background formed by the rest of the vegetation. Men, on the other hand, had their eye on the sky and water, which is where the positive association with the colour blue comes from. So could our preference for the colour pink be ingrained in our genes? Perhaps.
On the contrary, other studies show that this preference has been established by society and is therefore cultural. In an American magazine on children's clothing dating from 1918, it is written: "There is an established rule that pink is for boys and blue for girls."
At the time, therefore, it was exactly the opposite. Apparently, pink was considered to be a determined colour, while blue brought out delicacy and elegance. Could it be that the preference for pink is determined by the toy and clothing industry? In a 2011 study, 200 girls and boys aged between 7 months and 5 years were asked to choose their favourite object from the different pairs shown. One of the objects was always pink. Under the age of two, there was no difference between girls and boys. From the age of two and a half, the difference was statistically significant. By the age of four, girls were already choosing pink in almost 80% of cases. At around the age of two, children become aware of the difference between the sexes and begin to adapt their behaviour. According to this study, pink is therefore a differentiating characteristic learned by girls.
But pink means even more: in chromotherapy, we learn that pink is a symbol of love and affection, without passion (unlike intense red). Anyone whose favourite colour is pink wants a protected life and special treatment from those around them. Every little princess's dream.
Everything for your daughter's candy pink world
A little pink for you
Irene Portmann
Senior Brand Communications Manager
Irene.Portmann@digitecgalaxus.chI love the strategy game “The Settlers of Catan”, the Ravensburger puzzle “Colourful Cupcakes” and the pink fluffy unicorn that sits on my desk (a birthday present from my workmates). Not only do I have a weakness for toys, I also get excited about good food and comedy TV shows.