Why are a lot of people not contented with their skin color?
By Uridissie
@Uridissie (29)
Philippines
June 1, 2009 8:52am CST
I have heard a lot of people complaining about their skin color.
As an Asian, a Filipina specifically, I am darker in color and there have been times that I longed for a lighter complexion. In my country, whitening products sell like hotcakes in the market and I believe this is because a lot of people want their skin color lighter. Looking back at our history, our colonizers have lighter color and I am wondering if skin color is regarded as your status indicator in the society.
When I had the chance to get out of our country to go to the UK, I saw in their shops that they have the opposite trend than in our country. Instead of whitening products, I saw various types of tanning products. The friends that I've met are also doing their best to get a good tan.
These experiences make me wonder why a lot of people are not contented with their skin color. How about you, what are the possible reasons that you could think of? Have you ever longed for another skin color other than what your complexion is?
1 person likes this
12 responses
@chriss121 (80)
• Thailand
2 Jun 09
We reside in Thailand where, as with Filipinas, the girls and ladies are all looking to whiten their skin colour. There are even some products for men to do the same. The reason I am given is they want to resemble the movie, TV and pop singing stars from the western World. They see these so called icons with lots of cash and recognition and want the same. Personally I prefer the darker colour of skin, the reason I moved here in the first place.
1 person likes this
@Uridissie (29)
• Philippines
4 Jun 09
And that is sad fact.. I am quite aware that there are a lot of 'for women' products but I think I haven't seen a 'for men' whitening product here in our country yet..
just curious, if you don't mind, what's your nationality and skin color..
anyway, thanks for your response.
@khayshenz (1384)
• United States
1 Jun 09
I have a minor in Asian American Studies - and this is one of the topics in my asian women class. Because of the history, colonized people tend to believe that the lighter the complexion, the higher the rank and status in society.
But you're right - not just in the UK - but also here in the US, tanning salons everywhere! Then there's tanning lotion, and then there's the spray thingie, then there's always the sun - thus the concern over skin cancer.
I don't really understand the obsession over skin color - for me, i've accepted that i'm brown. I'm happy with it. =)
1 person likes this
@Uridissie (29)
• Philippines
1 Jun 09
me too am happy with my brown color..
Thanks for the reply and for confirming what I have thought of by giving actual fact. that answers why Asians want to be lighter in complexion.
But about the tanning thing in the UK,US, etc... why would they want to be brown..? do you think it's Hollywood's influence?
@seymiss (622)
•
1 Jun 09
It,human nature to want what we don't have.That's just the way it is.Human being are never satisfied with what they actually have and what they were born with.I'm not sayin that iam not in the same bag hehe
@Nerissagoh (69)
• Singapore
1 Jun 09
It is common for humans to be uncontented with what we have. People with curly hair would want to straighten it, vice versa. As long as we're happy with our 'improvement'- more tan or lighter skin tone, thats sufficient. The world would be more interesting with people of different wants and needs.
@Uridissie (29)
• Philippines
1 Jun 09
I agree on what you said but some people often go overboard and sometimes endanger their health, like getting skin cancer and other skin diseases, just to get that change. don't you think this being 'uncontented' could be harmful in some ways?
@Flirtykumquat (927)
• United States
1 Jun 09
I wouldn't say I am not content but somtimes I wish I would have a lighter color. I'm black but when I was born I was a very light color and was like that until I moved to Florida when I was about 12. I started getting darker but my skin didn't seem the same. I couldn't even describe my skin if you wanted me too but it's not like how I want it. I want a nice smooth texture like a carmel but I don't think I would ever use whitening products to go back the way I use to be.
1 person likes this
@leiann_561 (332)
• Philippines
1 Jun 09
In the Philippines, I think people are just influence by the western culture that is why they like the lighter tone. What is unique in a country is beautiful.
@Uridissie (29)
• Philippines
1 Jun 09
I kinda agree.. because most TV shows that are airing come from the western countries and most adverts are highly westernized.. most of the beauty pageant winners have lighter complexion and very rarely you'll see a 'morena'(olive skinned complexion).
@smacksman (6053)
•
2 Jun 09
It reminds me of the case of a black child wanting to be white so he got some white paint and covered himself white.
His mother was furious and scolded him and scrubbed all the white paint off till his skin was raw.
The little boy thought 'Gee, I've only been white for an hour and I hate the blacks already!' hahahaha
I have lived in Africa for 14 years and seen the good, the bad and the ugly but the one thing that shines through it all is laughter and to be able to laugh at oneself.
@kapil_rajpurohit (21)
• India
2 Jun 09
Hey u must not be sad 4 it if any one say u about it, u must say the color does not matter, I am human that is enough 4 me.
ok
@tundeemma (894)
• South Africa
2 Jun 09
i really believe that people who try to change their skin colour do so because they are greedy, selfish and ignorant of the truth, some have done it just for financial gains while some just want to change their colours because they feel inferior or they tghink they will never be successful if they remain in the natural born colours, no matter what reason, people should stop harming themselves all in the name of trying to change their colours
@kelly_hello (132)
• China
2 Jun 09
I guess human beings like to compain about manything they have....
i long for a much taller & slimmer body...
much more gorgeous appearance .........
@sreejurocking (20)
• India
2 Jun 09
Ya..its a trend.In our country most of the people are trying to be more whiter.So they are using skin whitening creams, moisturising creams etc.But i dont think that there is some guys thinking of opposite.i mean white guys willing to be dark.I am a guy who is willing to be more whiter. thanks
