Wendel Abel

Why is skin colour important?

The psychological impact and social significance of skin colour cannot be overstated. Skin colour and skin hues have become a symbol of beauty, power, status and identity within many societies.

The devaluation of dark skin

Darker skin colour has been devalued in our recent history and it is transmitted through language, culture and symbolism. Anything black is associated with that which is evil and impure, such as (black cat, blackmail, black knight, Black Friday, devil). Compare this view of 'black' to symbols of whiteness which are associated with good, cleanliness and purity, such as (Snow White, White Knight, angels).

The impact of slavery

Slavery systematically not only demeaned, diminished and devalued the black person, but denigrated anything that was black. The plantation system that developed in slavery attributed power and status to the persons of a lighter skin hue even among blacks.

Why is skin lightening practised?

The reasons are many:

Ignorance

Many persons practise bleaching out of sheer ignorance. The lack of adequate information is always an important factor in situations where persons have to make choices.

Low self-esteem

Research has shown that some persons with darker skin colour may suffer from low self-esteem, a sense of devalued self and self-hate. In a number of studies, black children with low self-esteem did not like being black and preferred a lighter skin.

A perceived sense of beauty

Some research have shown that lighter-skinned women are perceived as more attractive, intelligent and sexually more desirable and darker-skinned women as mean, evil and stupid.

The role of the media

The media, through commercials, often portray that which is white or light as more attractive, adorable and desirable.

The cosmetic and beauty care industry

Lighter skin hues are depicted as more attractive and acceptable, especially among women.

Economic status and power

In some contexts, a lighter skin is associated with greater power and social status and may create more opportunities and facilitate greater social mobility.

Redefining the bleaching syndrome

This bleaching syndrome is an attempt to achieve a lighter skin complexion to achieve greater attractiveness, a sense of power and status and it is a learned behaviour that is historically derived and socially transmitted in many parts of the world.

Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer, University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.

The bleaching syndrome, also referred to as skin lightening, is the practice of applying skin chemicals to bleach or lighten one's skin. Skin lightening is widespread among persons of darker complexion in the United States, Italy, India, Africa, Asia, Japan, South and Central America and the Caribbean.

The practice represents a major psychological and social problem and certainly presents major public health concerns as bleaching agents are dangerous to health. Many bleaching agents contain dangerous chemicals such as mercury, hydroquinones and steroids. These chemicals may cause many health problems.