Breaking the Color Code: Why No Color Belongs to Just One Gender

Every time I start a new class, I ask the kids the same question:
"What’s your favorite color?"

The answers come flying in:
“Turquoise!” “Pink!” “Purple!” “Orange!”

And then, almost without fail, someone says:
"Oh, that’s a girl color!" or "That’s a boy color!"

It’s a moment that always stops me in my tracks—because it reveals how early children begin to absorb messages about what they’re "supposed" to like. These ideas don’t come from nature, but from nurture. Research shows that babies don't inherently prefer pink or blue based on gender. These preferences are shaped by what they see in the world around them: clothing aisles, birthday parties, cartoons, and even the toys handed to them.

What fascinates me most is hearing what kids think and feel about colors. Some say pink is “soft” or “happy,” while blue feels “cool” or “fast.” Their interpretations are thoughtful, personal, and sometimes surprisingly profound.

Whenever I get the chance, I gently remind them:
Colors are something we see, not something we are.
Anyone can love any color. Period.

In our classes, I expose them to a wide range of colors through different mediums—paint, clay, collage, light. We look at artworks by artists from around the world and across time, asking questions like:

• “What does this color make you feel?”

• “Why do you think the artist used this color?”

• “Does this remind you of anything?”

These conversations help shift the focus from “who the color belongs to” to “what the color can express.”

For young kids, breaking down color-gender stereotypes can be challenging. But with consistent exposure to diverse art forms, cultures, and creative voices, they begin to reframe their thinking. They start to see colors not as boxes to fit into, but as tools to express themselves freely.

And that’s the goal:
To nurture kids who see the full spectrum—not just on the color wheel, but in life.