As human beings became more civilized they acknowledged this gross neglect of the fairer sex, by introducing pink as the color for girls. The time-frame is a bit hazy, but it’s clear it must have been MUCH later. It's hard to imagine that choosing the color of their children's wardrobe made even the smallest blip on the radar of medieval parents.

20th Century Gender Color Stereotypes
It seems that stereotypes change often, and in the early part of the last century pink was a boy's color. In 1914, "The Sunday Sentinel" newspaper advised parents, "If you like the color note on the little one's garments, use pink for the boy and blue for the girl, if you are a follower of convention." In 1918, "Ladies Home Journal" said much the same thing, "...pink being a more decided and stronger color is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is pertier for the girl." It was in the 1950’s, apparently, that pink took over as the color for girls, though I cannot find any definitive evidence in support of this. 

The Onset of Gender Color Stereotyping in Childhood
A study carried out within the last ten years, concluded that preschool aged girls prefer the color pink, and preschool aged boys prefer blue. The reasons why this is so are less clear, but the evidence is convincing. Gender stereotyping (if that’s what it is) is well established before children go to school. Preschool children even chose the “right” color (pink for girls, blue for boys) when choosing the preferred color for a child of the opposite sex. 

The Importance of Gender Color Stereotyping
But let’s not forget that in and of itself gender stereotyping is not a reflection of the worth of an individual. Certain stereotypical behaviors make life easier for us. It’s convenient, for example, that when a man and woman are heading for the same door, the woman knows the man will open the door and allow her to walk through first (that does still happen, doesn’t it)? 

And how else are we supposed to know that a small, bald, and completely swaddled baby is male or female, unless, of course, he or she is dressed in blue or pink?

Sources:

About the author

Katrina Boydon is a systemizing female with empathizing traits. She is as likely to be found crying over a sad film as balancing her bank account to the last cent.