For a very long time, women with darker skin have been considered unattractive. This is mostly because of the standard of beauty in most societies that look down on people with darker skin and consider them less beautiful. Have you ever wondered why almost all fair-skinned characters have been considered more attractive than those with dark or tan skin? The reasons are not just limited to ignorance but are so much deeper than that. In this article, we will explore the history behind why fair skin has been considered beautiful and the impact that it has had on women across the globe.
Why Is Dark Skin Considered Unattractive?
Because dark skin is seen as ‘ugly’, many people think ‘fair’ is more beautiful than dark skin. This idea comes from the belief that white skin is beautiful and normal, while dark skin is ugly and abnormal. Another reason that dark skin is seen as unattractive is because of the colorism in our society: the prejudice against dark-skinned people based on the idea that lighter colors are better. Colourism makes fair-skinned people more valued and gives them more opportunities than dark-skinned people.
Dark Skin Stigma Throughout History
1. Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians used to consider dark skin as a sign of evil. They believed that people with darker skin were more likely to have negative traits like being untrustworthy, lazy, and dishonest. They also believed that people with darker skin were more likely to be poor and less intelligent. The ancient Egyptians also believed that people with darker skin had lower intelligence and could not be trusted because they would steal from their employers.
2. Ancient Greece
People with darker skin have been considered ugly and less beautiful in ancient Greece. The Ancient Greeks used to believe that people who had dark skin were less beautiful, but they also believed that people with fair skin were more beautiful than those with dark or black skin.
3. Ancient Rome
The Romans used to consider people with darker skin as slaves and servants because they believed that they were unhygienic and dirty due to the darker pigmentation of their skin. They also thought that people who had darker skin were more likely to be evil, lazy, untrustworthy, and dishonest. The Romans used to believe that women who had dark or black skin were not as beautiful as those who had fair or white skin.
4. Middle Ages Europe
During the Middle Ages, women with lighter skin have been considered more attractive than those who have dark or black skin because they believe in the idea of “the fairer sex”. Women who had light-colored skins have been considered more attractive than those who had dark orous. They also believed that people with darker skin were more likely to have negative traits like being untrustworthy, lazy, and dishonors. They also believed that people with darker skin were more likely to have negative traits like being untrustworthy, lazy, and dishonors.
The Western Standard Of Beauty
- These negative traits were often associated with skin color. The ancient Egyptians also believed that darker skin was a sign of bad luck and that it would bring bad things to people who had it. The ancient Egyptians also believed that the gods would punish people with dark skin by making them ill or even causing them to die. This is one of the reasons why dark skin has been considered unattractive in many societies across the world.
- People with darker skin were often shunned and considered very ugly in comparison to those who had fair skin like those from Ancient Greece. The Greeks believed that fair-skinned people were more beautiful than those with dark or tanned skin because they felt that lightness was more attractive than darkness, especially when it comes to beauty standards across cultures. This is one of the reasons why fair-skinned people have been considered more beautiful than those with darker or tanned skin throughout history.
- The medieval Europeans also used to consider dark-skinned people as less attractive because they associated them with lower social status, poverty, and even filthiness and dirtiness because of the darker pigmentation of their skin. These beliefs have continued through into modern times and are still prevalent today in red. They also believed that people with darker skin were more likely to have bad intentions and would do evil deeds. Ancient Egyptians also thought that people with darker skin were less attractive than those with fair skin.
- The ancient Greeks also had a similar view on dark skin as the Egyptians did. They considered dark-skinned people as being unhygienic, dirty, and untrustworthy. The ancient Greeks also associated dark skin with poverty, low social status, and bad health.
- People in ancient Rome used to believe that people with darker skin were less beautiful than those who had fair or light skin. It was believed that women who had dark skin were not good marriage material and were often shunned for this reason too! In addition to this, it was believed that women who had darker skin would be more likely to have children born with birth defects or genetic disorders like Down Syndrome or Cystic Fibrosis because of their lack of exposure to sunlight! This is one of the reasons why women in ancient Rome used to cover their faces up when they went outside so as not to attract the attention of men! This is one of the reasons why women in ancient Rome used to cover. This is because the ancient Egyptians associated dark skin with the evil god Set, who was considered a god of darkness and chaos. They believed that people with darker skin were more likely to commit crimes and to be criminals.
- The ancient Greeks also had a negative perception of people with darker skin. They believed that people with darker skin were more likely to be lazy and unproductive. The ancient Greeks also associated dark skin with evil, sickness, and disease.
Conclusion
People with darker skin have been shamed and ridiculed for many years because of the misconception that they are unhygienic and unclean. It has also been a common practice for people with lighter skin to lighten their skin tone and get tanned to appear more attractive. In recent times, people have slowly started realizing that the idea that people with darker skin are unclean is false and that they can be just as clean as people with lighter skin. It is high time that people with darker skin tones are appreciated and considered as attractive as people with lighter skin.