Nine products that have been pointlessly gendered

What do laxatives, ear plugs and bagpipes have in common? They are all things that have been pointlessly gendered by manufacturers.

Dr Lisa Wade of the Sociological Images blog has been curating a list of such objects for years on this Pinterest board. She tells i100.co.uk that one reason is because it's funny. But there's more to it than humour.

"Pointlessly gendering products isn’t just about splitting us into two groups, it’s also about telling us what it means to be in one of those boxes. Each of these products is an opportunity to remind us," she said. "All too often, gender stereotypes are not just about difference, they’re about inequality."

Here are nine examples of her collection.

1. Ear plugs

2. Sellotape

3. Bagpipes

4. Bibs

5. Shower gel

6. Guns

7. Hand tools

8. Cereal bars

9. Pickled cucumbers

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