Why are pale & dark skin considered less attractive?

Question

Pale girls or girls with very very fair skin feel the need to tan and girls with darker skin feel the need to bleach. Why?

It's just skin color. I'm not light but I'm not necessarily dark(y'all could be the judge though cause I had a pic on my profile). But I don't understand why either are considered less attractive?

sad, but uh link

ambertaylor · Accepted Answer

In my opinion, it's society that's too blame, a huge amount of people are inspired by celebrities and want the same style and look as them. Some girls I know think that having a tan instead of their pale skin looks 'healthier'.. I have a very different opinion on this.

I dislike the thought of someone not being happy in literally their own skin, especially when girls fake tan...radioactive looking fake blotchy skin makes me laugh, it looks hideous. It's supposed to look natural apparently, however no one I've ever met is naturally orange.

I, however am quite the opposite, I despise getting a tan unless I'm on holiday and even then I'm not that bothered. I embrace my pale skin because it's natural and I don't see the point in smothering it in another color. I wish more people would just let their natural skin be, one is not better or healthier than another, it's just skin, you get what you're given.

That's my opinion anyway!

goflipaburger · Accepted Answer

its an awkward and horrifying combination of whitewashing and unattainable beauty. it seems that almost no matter what your skin color is, someone, something will make you want to change it.

and not to undermine the struggle plenty of very pale women go through, but what black women go through-- what blacks in general go threw in regards to skin color and self image-- is a f***ing crime. when you see these scientific experiments of a variety of children choosing the "pretty" dolls, or identifying the "stupid" kid in class... ugh, it makes me want to cry.

yeah sure, people have preferences, blah blah blah. that doesn't change the fact that millions of people go through emotional turmoil because of things that shouldn't matter nearly as much as they apparently do.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Because the media promotes tan, golden, and light brown skin as the ideal. Simple as that. We are trained monkeys who learn to prefer what the media shows.  Nowdays it's the tan slightly exotic girl that's considered the hottest. In the 70s and before American culture promoted the fair skinned blond haired blue eyed all American girl as the hottest. That doesn't mean if you don't fit that quality that you can't be pretty and that you're automatically unattractive.

Distant · Accepted Answer

Hahaha! Watched that episode of 'Tyra'. Hello, skin cancer for those kids. The lighter - the better in my opinion (for Caucasian girls). I believe these are two separate, albeit similar, issues. Some people of African decent see their dark color as a curse and wish to have lighter skin because they feel that the way people look at them and the quality of life is better for lighter people. Whereas for the Caucasian girls trying to become darker, it's likely due to media and peer pressure. Many girls tan because they see tanned girls on TV or because their friends are tanning. I like the color I was born with.

TurbulentDan12 · Accepted Answer

I think the extremes with pretty much every physical characteristic. I'm not sure why though

taster · Answer

Probably because people don't go around expressing how much they like either one of the two...the one that always bemuses me is breast size...you might hear some guy remarking about a female's huge mammary glands but virtually no guy goes around exclaiming how how hot he thinks small breasts are...even though he probably really feels that way...these are unfortunate circumstances that cause reality to be distorted...no one can make everybody happy...just as none of us can appeal to 100% of the opposite gender...(:(:(:

ketfoen · Answer

I think it's a society and advertisements that put this kinda stuff in people's heads. One time in human history fat women were considered more attractive and healthier looking then skinny women, because it was believed they could give better off spring, look at all the old paintings, all chubby naked women.

I know your question is about skin tone and not weight issue, but it comes to show you how times change and will change again.

In my country being pale or very light skinned is considered not very healthy and unattractive and many people will suggest you get more sun to become darker.

I know of an African country were fat women are actually worshiped and wanted by many men, because they think it's a sign that the woman is wealthy and beautiful or something, but I forgot it's name.

Anonymous · Answer

Yeah, I don't get it either. I have found girls that are pale and very dark to be attractive. My sisters have started tanning unfortunately. People would age much better if they didn't tan like they do, but whatever. I assume it's just the style for now because at one time, pale was the pinnacle of beauty in society's eye.

I was never aware of darker being seen as less attractive in the black community until recently. I wouldn't be able to say why at this point. I like the "Nubian" look personally.

chatheman · Answer

it is because of the greedy companies that brainwash people into thinking they are not good enough where I am people use fake tan and sun beds.  in  Asia they have skin whitening products.  it the same thing like asking why did you buy an I phone did you need it no but companies have spent a fortune making you think you need something you dont. as tyler durton said in fight club we work in jobs we hate to but sh*t we don't need

RicoSuave · Answer

We humans can never be satisfied/grateful with what we have.

If your fat you want to be skinny or have a descent body like others

if your skinny u'd rather be fat or have a dscent body.

U have curly hair you want it straight

u have straight hair and you wish it was curly/wavy

We have browned eyes and wish they were blue/green

It's always this way -__-

the90swerethebest · Answer

It's not unattractive. I in fact, prefer pale skin because I prefer red heads and I know that if I'm going to date a redhead, I'm probably going to be dating a pale girl. There's NOTHING wrong with it though

palek · Answer

The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice.

7gnat · Answer

I actually do not like very very pale girls but I like every other color on a woman. I cannot tell you why it is just preference I guess. I think Kenyan women, Greek women, and Brazilian women have amazing color to them.

armyguy176 · Answer

its all preference (prejudice). its sad, but I(we,they) can't help it if they don't find it attractive. Its obviously not okay to make fun of someone for something they can't change.

CoffeeCoffeeCoffee · Answer

I guess its personal perferance really... But I love really pale girls...especially if they shave...

RedThread · Answer

I have no idea.. I've never prescribed to those perspectives of beauty. There are tons of beautiful girls with pale and dark colored skin. I think people are never satisfied with what they have.. they always want what someone else has.

ManaX · Answer

I don't, and I'm pretty dark. Women like that have issues with themselves that run deeper than the color of their skin.

may04 · Answer

I'm on the paler end of the scale and I love it! I don't know what those other crazy girls are thinking

menina · Answer

Because nobody is satisfied with what they have (including me...)

KandiCane · Answer

I lived in San Francisco all my life and here, it doesn't matter if you're pale or if your hella dark cause you're beautiful.

Anonymous · Answer

in many parts of the world, white/fair skin is very beautiful and attractive. Even in th us, many pale actresses in Hollwyood.

Why are pale & dark skin considered less attractive?

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