The Distorted View of "Pink Think"
The term pink think is sometimes used to describe a group of ideas or attitudes that women should have. The author of Pink Think, Lynn Peril, believes that these ideas and attitudes were common among mid-century women. These ideas were embraced by advice writers, toy manufacturers, and experts in a variety of fields. The results are a distorted view of the world. It is time to reconsider the ideas we hold dear. Read on for a better understanding of pink think.
The Culture of "Pink Think"
"Pink Think" describes the culture during the 1940s when men were expected to support the family, while women were expected to stay home to raise kids and take care of the household. The author of this book has a keen eye for what was deemed appropriate behavior for women during this period. She has a collection of period artifacts, including Jayne Mansfield's wardrobe and a Lady Lionel locomotive. Some of the items she collects reflect the cultural attitudes of the time. Other pieces in the collection include outdated advice books and health pamphlets.
Pink Think in the 1950s
Lynn Peril's Pink Think: Becoming a Woman in Many Uneasy Lessons focuses on the pressures women felt to conform to traditional gender roles. The 1950s were a time of social conservatism, as consumer capitalism helped to maintain social conformity. Advertising helped define gender roles and was also a major factor in perpetuating this social conservatism. However, Pink Think is not a thing of the past, as women's rights and opinions have changed over the years.
Pink in Feminist Literature
The color pink has been a popular choice in feminist literature. Simone de Beauvoir's 1949 feminist classic "Pink" was reframed in a modern feminist context. Pink cannot be appreciated without rejecting its historical connotations. Similarly, feminist texts have reclaimed pink as an important color in book design. This effective role of pink in feminist literature has defined the genre. So, how do we understand pink in a literary context?
The Gendered Role of Pink
Sulik's article on pink ribbon culture also focuses on the gendered role of the color. Pink represents innocence and nurturance, emotional sensitivity, and selflessness, which is the feminine side of heteronormativity. However, pink's use in these cultures is far from universal and its meanings are not universal. Hence, the meaning of pink in different contexts should be considered carefully. The following are some of the more popular ways that pink can be used.
