Raising Brain posted this story about her daughter who noticed the “pink tax” in Nintendo‘s recent Super Mario update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If you’ve never heard of it before, the “pink tax” refers to the phenomenon where many women’s products and services cost substantially more than comparable men’s versions.

Here’s her story:

“Today I was playing Animal Crossing, a wholesome sandbox game on Nintendo Switch, with my 7 year old (extremely socially conscious) daughter.

She went to purchase a new outfit from what is called “The Nook Shop” in the game when she picked up on the gender price differential of goods in the shop. (She is unknowingly picking up on a real world problem referred to as the Pink Tax, ie: feminine products, clothing, etc…)

Confused, she asked me why her brother doesn’t have to pay as much for the Mario outfit/shoes as she did for the Peach outfit/shoes? I really didn’t have an explanation for this other than maybe because it was more fancy? She wasn’t buying it, because this was the only Mario Bros themed dress option in this shop, and she was a bit upset at the unfairness.

She paused the game, grabbed her pen and paper and asked me to help her spell. By the second word, I knew what was happening and my heart was the fullest it has been in a while. She finished up her letter (see below) and asked me to find out who to send it to. She said she hopes they will take her very seriously because she hates writing, but really felt she had to do this for all the other children who felt the same way.

Encourage your children to speak up for what they see as a problem. Help them spell, help them find the right contacts. They will do great things for this world.

One small note written by one small person, making such big awareness alone is invaluable.

Edited to add: When I tried justifying that the outfit may cost more because it was more fancy (see above) she made it clear that we weren’t comparing just “some old plumber’s overalls” that we were comparing the main character, and one of the most well known of Nintendo (Mario) with his female co-star. She also noticed the shoes being nearly the same with the same price gap. Not much gets past her, and for that I am grateful “

Dear Nintendo:

Source: Raising Brain

(via: The Psychology Babes)