Deeper than the surface: Exploring symbolic cultural cues behind skin color among three groups of women of Chinese heritage

Chen, Hsin-Yu; Jablonski, Nina G.

doi:10.1057/s41290-020-00124-9

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Although the extent to which participants were concerned with skin color and sun exposure relied on their prioritization of beauty, self-esteem, and other factors, their reasoning for why those with darker or lighter skin aimed to avoid becoming darker reflects the complexity of cultural cues behind skin color and how these values guide social interaction (Chen & Jablonski, 2021). Once participants thought of examples, they soon realized how many everyday activities were related to sun exposure and occurred subconsciously.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first author developed interview questions by drawing upon existing literature (Bond & Cash, 1992; Glenn, 2008; Hunter, 1998) and studies regarding SCPs and colorism (Chen et al, 2020; Chen & Jablonski, 2021). The interview protocol was iteratively vetted and revised: once the initial questions were drafted, the second author reviewed them.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lighter skin thus became less desirable under the assumption that “the Blacks don’t really want to accept [lighter-skinned people]” (Goering, 1971, p. 236). The relatively recent proliferation of videos, memes, and blogs addressing how skin tones are portrayed has further complicated how skin color intersects with class, race, and culture (Chen & Jablonski, 2021).…”

Section: Colorism-induced and Appearance-related Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stay out of the Sun: Exploring African American College Women’s Thoughts on the Dynamics Between Colorism and Sun-related Behavior

Chen

Jablonski

2022

Journal of Black Psychology

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Colorism—systematic intragroup discrimination based on skin color—uniquely affects African American women. Using a sequential mixed methods design, this study explored perceptions of colorism and sun-related behavior among African American women in college. Study 1, which included 14 in-depth interviews, revealed perceptions that lighter skin is mostly preferred among African American women and that this preference can influence sun-related behavior. Study 2 featured a self-administered questionnaire ( n = 187) based on interview commentary. Findings indicated an internalized status quo: participants deemed colorism prevalent among African Americans and believed that preferences for lighter skin influenced daily life, including sun avoidance. Personal skin color preferences were less clear than participants’ perceptions of others’ preferences. Results pinpointed a possible connection between colorism and sun-related behavior, unveiling interrelationships among internalized beliefs, subjective norms, and behavior. Understanding colorism’s entrenched role and the social context of sun-related decisions extends colorism research from the psychosocial realm to the behavioral. Implications can increase practitioners’ awareness of colorism, enabling interventions to promote appropriate health education and wellbeing among African American women.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Colorism-induced and Appearance-related Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stay out of the Sun: Exploring African American College Women’s Thoughts on the Dynamics Between Colorism and Sun-related Behavior

Chen

Jablonski

2022

Journal of Black Psychology

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“…One of the most striking examples of human phenotypic variability is skin color variation [1]. Melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes at the base of the epidermis, is the most prominent pigment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Ethnicities and Skin Color Variations in Different Populations: A Review

Naik

Farrukh

2021

Skin Pharmacol Physiol

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Background: In the world scientific tradition, skin color is the primary physical characteristic used to divide humans into groups. Human skin has a wide range of tones and colors, which can be seen in a wide range of demographic populations. Many factors influence the color of people’s skin, but the pigment melanin is by far the most important. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes in the skin and is the primary determinant of skin color in people with darker skin. Indeed, >150 genes have now been identified as having a direct or indirect effect on skin color. Vitamin D has recently been discovered to regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation in a variety of tissues, including the skin. The mechanisms through which the active vitamin D metabolite 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (or calcitriol) affects keratinocyte development are numerous and overlap with the mechanisms by which calcium influences keratinocyte differentiation. Ultraviolet (UV) is the most major modifiable risk factor for skin cancer and many other environmental-influenced skin disorders when it is abundant in the environment. Although the UV component of sunlight is known to cause skin damage, few researches have looked at the impact of non-UV solar radiation on skin physiology in terms of inflammation, and there is less information on the role of visible light in pigmentation. Summary: The quantity and quality of melanin are regulating by the expression of genes. The enzyme tyrosinase is primarily responsible for the genetic mechanism that controls human skin color. Genetics determines constitutive skin color, which is reinforced by facultative melanogenesis and tanning reactions. High quantities of melanin and melanogenic substances are typically accepted in darker skin to protect against UV radiation-induced molecular damage. Previous research has proposed that skin color variation is caused by a dynamic genetic mechanism, contributing to our understanding of how population demographic history and natural selection shape human genetic and phenotypic diversity. However, the most significant ethnic skin color difference is determined by melanin content. This current review aimed to assess the influence of skin color variations in skin structure and functions as well as difference in dermatological disease patterns. Also, this article reviewed several cases of skin color adaptation in different populations. Key Messages: Skin color impacts the composition and activity. Therefore, the contrast of dermatological ailments between distinct race-related categories is remarkable. Skin color adaptation is a challenging procedure. Refinement of skin color is an age-old craving of humans with ever-evolving drifts.

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Physical attractiveness

Gordon

2024

Encyclopedia of Adolescence

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Deeper than the surface: Exploring symbolic cultural cues behind skin color among three groups of women of Chinese heritage

Cited by 5 publications

References 67 publications

Stay out of the Sun: Exploring African American College Women’s Thoughts on the Dynamics Between Colorism and Sun-related Behavior

Stay out of the Sun: Exploring African American College Women’s Thoughts on the Dynamics Between Colorism and Sun-related Behavior

Influence of Ethnicities and Skin Color Variations in Different Populations: A Review

Physical attractiveness

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