St Peters RC Church Hamilton

Is pink actually feminine?

Is there a colour gender divide?

Pink would make you think so.

Why? Because it is said with some authority,

Not so long ago pink was for boys,

And as a generally adopted rule, blue for girls!

The rationale said pink was stronger, like boys,

Blue more delicate and dainty, like girls!

In longer times gone by, prior to mass fabric dye being available,

Children wore only white clothes.

Think of those sepia Victorian and Edwardian photographs,

Where the bright of white shoes shines through.

It was in the 1950s the possibilities changed.

Pink is now seen, not only as beautiful,

But powerful and suitable for both male and female.

I wonder why we say we can be ‘Tickled pink’?

Scientifically, pink has been proven to be calming,

Disarming anxiety by its red mixed with white rosy glow.

There is some evidence to support this theory?

The American Institute for Biosocial Research made a discovery.

When prison inmates looked at a flamingo pink card,

Heart rate, pulse, respiration were all reduced!

And apparently, so I read on good authority *

Pink is used to calm and quieten rowdy prisoners.

So what would you say as to any display of pink?

I think according to the tone of pink it can soften,

But then again, think of the deeper magenta or salmon pink,

Is this not more likely to enliven?

One thing is for sure, we should never tire of the choice,

Softest, quietest baby pink, taffeta ballerina pink,

Rose pink and raspberry, lipstick pink and cherry,

Rose, sky blue pink, presumably the list can continue,

Through to when pink becomes red, wine, claret or burgundy.

And for sure, for many, pink ever remains truly lovely.

Lord, pink has an amazing range of colour tone serving many a purpose. Thank You for the awesome way in which You colour our world so beautifully, life is really enriched. Century by century, up to today we are

blessed by an amazingly abundant choice in just about everything material. How very generous You are towards us. Amen.

*Psychologies Magazine Spring 2018