Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines the controversial global phenomenon of skin bleaching. It uses a social psychological approach to explain the motivations, behaviour and medical consequences of the practice, considering why some people use products to lighten their complexion. Written by a world leading expert in skin bleaching, the book takes a nuanced approach to understanding skin bleaching that looks further than the standard claims of low self-esteem, a form of self-hatred. It goes beyond looking at individual personality traits to consider the cultural norms, values, shared social meanings and practices about race and skin color, showing how shared meanings from social representation guide peopleâs behaviour in their culture. The book draws predominantly on research from Jamaica, but considers how skin bleaching is practised in different cultural contexts across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. Chapters consider the history of race and skin color, how skin color and race are portrayed
