Why pink?

Why does the color pink mean girl? Coca-Cola is red, Pepsi is blue, McDonalds is yellow and red, Christmas is red and green and anything to do with being cute and girlie is pink. Yuck. Beyond the stereotype that redheads can’t wear pink, I don't love pink, nor does my daughter and we both have girlie characteristics.

On a recent trip to the ever popular Wal-Mart I decided to scout the toy isle for the latest and the greatest girl empowering toys. And yep, to my astonishment (not really) there weren’t any. However the girls row was lined in pink, Pepto-Bismol Barbie pink. There was “bling bling” fashion head Barbie with sparkly graphics, Happy Birthday Barbie, Princess Barbie, Fairytopia Barbie, Beautiful Bride Barbie and My Scene Barbie and of course my ultra favorite (again, not really) Bratz dolls. All with loads of make-up, colored hair, enhanced lip features and belly button showing cropped tees. Not anywhere were there positive role models for girls. Although I will give credit to Polly Pocket, it was the only toy I saw that wasn’t over the top sexual for girls, but with all the tiny pieces involved – what mother wants to regroup Polly’s extras to their rightful home?

Why must girls be branded to be princesses, brides or the need to love hair, make-up and clothes at such a young age? Where are dolls that are different and represent a wide variety of girl characteristics? The rebellious one, the sporty one, smart one? Where are those girls? I bet those girls wouldn’t be wearing pink.