UPDATED 6:30 p.m. GMT after John Lewis emailed Mashable to say that it's taking the pencils "off sale" after feedback on the product.
LONDON -- Gender-specific products are often subject to scrutiny nowadays, and the Abigail Warner "For Her" pencils stocked by UK retailer John Lewis have been no exception.
The pencils in question are "hot pink" in colour and come in a pack of six. Each has a slogan written along the side, including "GIRL BOSS," "BUY THE SHOES!" and "STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES."
The pencils were placed in the spotlight after journalist Hannah Dunleavy published a sarcastic open letter to John Lewis in Standard Issue magazine on Monday, making fun of the pencils while highlighting the issues she believes their existence raises.
I wrote this with my lady fingers about those John Lewis pencils. Warning: Contains sarcasm https://t.co/5co5Vquy6T pic.twitter.com/ZxYcJyRUbp— hannah dunleavy (@funnypunts) November 16, 2015
"Thanks so much for the new range of pencils designed especially for women on sale in your Cambridge branch," reads the letter. "I haven't had the opportunity to purchase any as I feel I should seek my husband's approval first and unfortunately I've yet to meet him. I only hope there are some left when I do, as their wonderful pinkness is bound to attract every single female who comes into your store.
"I cannot tell you the number of times I have struggled with a non-gender-specific pencil and thought, 'If only this were pink,'" Dunleavy continues, "Or, 'If only this had something written on the side of it to remind me of my priorities as a woman.'"
The open letter has triggered debate on social media.
WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS PATRONISING BULLSHIT, @johnlewisretail?! WHAT. THE. FUCK. https://t.co/b4IW1sacZX pic.twitter.com/5iqsUP2MzC— Becca! (@Becca_DP) November 16, 2015
@Becca_DP Some girls like pink, and shopping and glittery stuff.— sarah (@SarahDuggers) November 16, 2015
@SarahDuggers of course. but these pencils are patronising, generalising crap.— Becca! (@Becca_DP) November 16, 2015
@Becca_DP Why are they patronising?— sarah (@SarahDuggers) November 16, 2015
@SarahDuggers really? you're looking at "pencils for her" that say "girl boss" and make sweeping generalisations & u can't see patronising?— Becca! (@Becca_DP) November 16, 2015
@Becca_DP I'm not trying to be a dick, I genuinely just don't have a problem with it. Sweeping generalisations seems a bit much. Some girls— sarah (@SarahDuggers) November 16, 2015
@Becca_DP like and want girly girl stuff. No one's being forced to use them so just... shrug.— sarah (@SarahDuggers) November 16, 2015
@SarahDuggers u see 6 pink statements that women like glitter, shoes and are "girls" and you don't see the problem? shrug away, mate.— Becca! (@Becca_DP) November 16, 2015
@Becca_DP Oh my god, imagine if there were actually girls who liked glitter, shoes and were, in fact, girls! The horror the horror.— sarah (@SarahDuggers) November 16, 2015
@SarahDuggers look, i'm not saying those ppl don't exist. i am saying that to market something in this way, i find it patronising.— Becca! (@Becca_DP) November 16, 2015
While there has been some debate, though, the overwhelming response to the pencils has been fairly negative.
Seriously @johnlewisretail? 'Boss Girl' pencils? https://t.co/lHxRS8AwDB— Bluecoat (@theBluecoat) November 17, 2015
Are you kidding? Pink For Her pencils at John Lewis with phrases like "Buy the shoes!' 'Glitter & Bling' FFS! https://t.co/UcJT1KhsSb— C L Raven (@clraven) November 16, 2015
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"Just saw this online," wrote Leah Hayden on John Lewis' Facebook page. "Thank you so much John Lewis for creating pencils I can finally use with my delicate, female hands.
"Oh wait! This isn't the early-mid 1900s. This is 2015 where I thought women were beginning to reach equality on all sorts of things. Clearly, writing utensils are not one of them.
Super disappointed in a brand that I am both usually loyal to and was a former partner of."
Finally, although they haven't received as much attention, it's worth noting that Abigail Warner does also make a "For Him" range. They're not available on the John Lewis website, but Not On The High Street has them in stock.
Mashable has reached out to John Lewis for comment and we will update this article when we receive a response.