Blue is commonly associated with boys in many parts of the Western world. However, this is a relatively recent social convention, not a biological or inherent truth.
A Historically Reversed Tradition
It's fascinating to note that the association of colors with genders is not fixed. Historically, the gendered associations of pink and blue were the opposite of what we see today. As noted in several sources, including this Reddit discussion and this article on UMKC's website, pink was once considered a more masculine color, while blue was associated with femininity. This shift occurred sometime in the 20th century.
- Victorian Era: Boys wore pink, girls wore blue.
- 20th Century Shift: The association flipped, with blue becoming the dominant color for boys and pink for girls. Several sources point to the influence of marketing and societal trends.
Several sources corroborate this historical reversal:
- Wikipedia's List of historical sources for pink and blue as gender signifiers documents the evolution of these color associations over time.
- This article from Mt. Auburn OB/Gyn highlights the modern-day perpetuation of this association through practices like "gender reveal" parties.
- A Reddit poll reflects the general awareness of the prevailing association, while also acknowledging its arbitrary nature.
The influence of figures like Mamie Eisenhower in popularizing pink for girls is also discussed in a Reddit thread.
The current association, as stated in Wikipedia's article on gendered associations, is that blue is associated with boys in much of the Western world. This is reflected in common practices such as the use of blue for boys' restrooms, as mentioned in a reference discussing restroom signs on an All Nippon Airways plane. However, it's important to remember this is a social construct, not a biological fact.
Ultimately, color preference is individual and not inherently tied to gender.
