ABS416 - Psychosocial perceptions of skin bleaching and beauty among black South African women
Thème:
3.9 Other topics related to Theme 3
Quoi:
Paper
Quand:
4:30 PM, Jeudi 31 Août 2017
(20 minutes)
Où:
Convention Center
- 2104 A
Comment:
The psychosocial perceptions of skin bleaching and beauty were explored among four black South African women. The research was conducted through the lens of colonisation, decoloniality, and feminist theories by way of a social constructionist meta-approach. A qualitative method supported by semi-structured interviews was used. Thematic analysis was used on the data obtained. Results of the study suggest that the increased obsession around Eurocentric physical features could be due to the globalisation of Westernised standards of beauty. Participants of this study express being impacted by ideologies borne of South Africa's unique history of white domination. Findings indicate that the ideas were passed down from generation to generation and appear to have an impact on women's body image and self-esteem. Living in a world that rejects their blackness, it appears that some women have become psychologically trapped in a cycle that has resulted in the growing popularity of skin bleaching among South African women.