50 shades of white : a case study of what and why preference for skin color is influenced by gender, social class & ethnicity

• Main Author: Goh, Chloe
• Other Authors: Sun Hsiao-Li Shirley
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/55839
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This research paper analyzes what and why the preference for skin color are influenced by beauty ideals that intersect with (1) gender, (2) social class and (3) ethnicity. Interviews were conducted with a sample size of 20 respondents ranging from 20 to 25 years of age. Female respondents reported a preference for fair skin while the male respondents reported a preference for tanned skin. Results showed that skin color functioned as symbolic capital under the umbrella of the gendered beauty ideals. Social class does not affect skin color preferences. Traditional beliefs were found to have considerable influence while ethnic- authenticity and Eurocentricity had little influence over the individual’s skin tone preference.