Are women of color seen as less beautiful than white women?

Question

Before answering, please read the details in its entirety :)

I believe that the ideal is a thin woman, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. While those women can be beautiful there are other women who are not represented as beautiful, such as black woman and other women of color. I believe that women of color, like myself, are seen as less beautiful because we are compared to a certain standard not because we are actually less beautiful, but it seems that way. 

I think beauty comes in different forms but when you're excluded from the media too often it can hurt your self-esteem and cause you to want to fit the standard. Examples: skin lightening, double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, hair extensions etc. I'm not saying that white women do not alter their looks but women of color would have to do so much more to achieve it. I do not think it's necessary, I used to feel that way, but I had to realize that I am beautiful too and force myself to love the way I look. I have my weak moments when I question my attractiveness but even the most beautiful women do that as well. I think everyone should feel beautiful and everyone should represented equally. 

I want to be clear that I am not bashing anyone, I can only draw conclusions from my own experinces and those of my close friends of various ethnic backgrounds. I welcome all opinions as this topic is very interesting to me. :)

sketchy · Accepted Answer

Yes.
It's not so much the color of their skin that people find unattractive, but the other associated traits - the wide nose, big lips, large forehead, thick and curly hair, high body fat, etc.
People always say that there are loads of attractive black women, but then they cite women like Halle Berry as examples, who have none of the those traits, and can easily pass as a white person with a sun tan:
honeycuttshollywood.com/.../cloud-atlas-berry.jpg
cdn.movieweb.com/img.news/NE3OYVrrFRvL7b_1_1.jpg
It's the same with that girl posted by NotMyUsername15 - she's very pretty, but she looks white.
I'm not sure I believe the theory about the "golden ratio" and facial features, but certainly typical black women do not fit it nearly as well as white women.

When you talk about Latina women, they're considered very attractive because again, they essentially look like white women with sun tans (which is what's considered most attractive) - hence the popularity of Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, etc. The ones with less "white" bodies (basically, the high body fat) are the ones who are considered attractive by fewer people (eg. Kim Kardashian).

Lovelinefan · Accepted Answer

There are plenty of black chicks who I think are gorgeous, and I'm a white guy who doesn't find the thin woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes necessarily attractive. I mean, they can be, sure, but there are other "types" that are higher up on my list of physical characteristics that I think tend to be more attractive to me.

Personality is so much more important... Personality, values, goals... Positive outlook, cheerful attitude, those all can swing even a less than ideal physical appearance into a higher slot than looks alone could get.

XRabbitHeartX · Accepted Answer

I'm not sure where the "blonde hair and blue eyes" comes from. Mostly blondes are depicted as the typical ditzy/stupid girl. Plenty of TV shows and movies play on this stereotype. When asked most guys also pretty much clearly say they prefer brunette girls... to the point where I hate my blonde hair cause I feel highly unwanted by guys. Most guys I know go for brunette girls. When I look at my friends who are taken they are brunette girls. Dark hair/brunette girls wins hands down when guys are asked for preferences so I'm not sure where you are getting the "blonde hair" thing. It's really not a thing.

As for the white vs women of color thing. You have to realize that in some countries black women are celebrated. I'm from South Africa and here I see plenty of really beautiful black models and the media does a good job of showcasing beauty of all races. I don't think black women are less beautiful. They can be just as beautiful, sometimes even more.

kodalinell · Accepted Answer

Every race/ethnicity/person is beautiful in their own way. And I think everyone has their own preferences. For me (white, brown haired English-Australian girl) growing up I wanted to look like princess Jasmine instead of barbie because I just found her prettier. I didn't know why. Now, I am interested in a lot of things people would stereotype as Asian (world music, Korean pop, Japanese fashion) etc and a lot of the time I feel negative about being a minority (white) fan compared to Asian fans who are seen as allowed to like that style because they are Asian. But overall I don't think there should be one beauty standard!

RebelOfNowhere · Accepted Answer

I think that the media often portrays white women as being more attractive, BUT I feel that most people don't think this way. I also see some slow changes in the media, and there seem to be more people of color having lead roles in television shows. It isn't at the point yet where everyone is represented well, but I think that it is getting there as time goes on.

There are incredibly beautiful women of all races and skin tones. I think it's impossible to have a standard of beauty because there are so many different combinations of beauty.

cipher42 · Accepted Answer

Yes. The current ideals of beauty are definitely very westernized, and that's actually a pretty significant issue. Even among non-white countries, paler skin and "whiter" features tend to be seen as more beautiful. Non-white women are often sexualized and objectified for their features, but despite this the standards of beauty still tend to hold white women as the ideal. This is actually a pretty significant and widespread issue, and I've seen it addressed a lot. Just one of the many symptoms of the massive amounts of racism in the world.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Are women of color seen as less beautiful. . . by whom? Beauty is a subjective matter, despite the media's attempts to dictate and influence the standards. I am a Caucasian and I am attracted to petite Caucasian girls with small boobs and "cute" faces. I don't think my current girlfriend meets the Hollywood standards of beauty. . . but she is beautiful to me. It doesn't really matter if the general public thinks she is beautiful; I think she is beautiful and that is what counts.

I don't let Hollywood or the media tell me what I desire in a woman and no one else should submit to that pressure, either.

Mistnigqa808 · Answer

Umm yeah and wanna know why? Oh yeah, Because the world is WHITE WASHED as fuck #Done

TripleAce · Answer

Dont blame media, there are plenty of coloured women on television

Simply i do think the human eyes have a predisposition of beauty. The media just exploits that to their advantage based on extensive preferential studies.

We tend to like symmetry and its really not far fetched to believe we also prefer certain colours more than others just like you might rather have your room painted blue vs red

If people like A vs B, no influence can change that... its like that because its naturally prefered

MrOracle · Answer

While I think such a viewpoint is very narrowminded, I can't deny that there are a lot of people who feel that way.

As I wrote on another post recently, the reason WHY this is true is mostly because Europeans became the most successful group on the planet, and then colonized most of the rest of the world, and even though the indigenous people often resisted colonization, they weren't blind to the fact that the "white man" was more advanced and more "successful" (rich, powerful, mobile, etc.) than they were. This lead to white people being the "standard" by which all other races compare themselves to. Hence things like eyelid surgery being huge in Korea, to make women have big "American/Euro" eyes, or black women straightening their hair, etc.

And even though there are many people like me, who have no trouble seeing the beauty in all races, there are definitely plenty of people (many non-white!) who still hold up white people as the "standard."

nymous1234 · Answer

women of colour are definitely seen as less beautiful than white women especially in the media and it isn't obviously done, but when the topic of beauty is raised the typical look as you described is usually presented. Also i have heard some people here say some strange things about black women that are so racist i couldnt believe it. Someone said they dont find black girls attractive because of their nappy hair and they were serious. I am black and my preference has always been a black guy and i grew up only seeing black people and only white people i have seen is on the media and our ideals of beauty are not like those in the states but that doesn't mean i cannot appreciate an attractive white guy or notice a pretty white girl
people think that their preference should mean bashing other looks that dont conform an that is such a narrow minded and ignorant view.

BelleGirl21 · Answer

Well as a skinny white blue eyed woman I'd have to say I feel pressured very much into looking differently than I am. My coloring doesn't change the fact that I have insecurities.
I actually think in the last 15 years or so there have been many more women of different ethnicities in the media and Hollywood.
I think a lot of black women won't be happy until the ratio ontv is like 50/50 but in reality that's not the breakdown of the population.
And I'll get responses on my opinio such as "well you couldn't understand because you're white"

Sexualchrist · Answer

It depends who is seeing them. In my view (and I'm white) the short answer is yes. Although that's just me and beauty is in the eye of the beholder don't forget.

And in saying that, it doesn't mean all white women are more attractive than all black women or all chirese women etc. I do often see a black woman or a middle eastern or sub continental woman who isn't trying to be anything else and I find her to be beautiful.

The reason I said yes is because I find the physical characteristics of some white women to just do it for me more than those of the other races.

canadianLAD · Answer

I've read it all and id like to confrim you that the beauty standards in north america are based on white qualities. the sharp features, the long bridged nose and light hair and eye colors. humans naturally consider light bright colors more appealing. in part, we do find white people more beautiful from the glorification of the white race in the media.

it also ties in with the whites being on top of the racial socio/economic structure.

i m Asian and we both come from oppression and discrimination in the west but i always keep it real and honest.

WhiteDove · Answer

I'm a black woman and many white men said that they found me attractive. My boyfriends have all been white men (no preferencial thing, it just happens) who were with white women before however they still liked dark skin. I think that with that "colonisation" frame of mind that society is in people believe that there's only one way to define beauty and that is by being white, blonde with blue eyes, pink/reddish lips and such. I think all races are beautiful to be honest and have learned myself to accept myself and the fact that I am an ethnic woman.
Other women should too.

RationalMale · Answer

Maybe. Maybe not.

Either way, the trend of other races blaming all their woes on whites hasn't done them much good over the last 50 years. So why continue?

If black women want to be seen as more attractive... how about just try getting in shape?

According to the CDC, the majority of black women over age 20 are obese. 57%.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/black-health.htm

That's not just overweight, or needs to lose five pounds, that's over half the population counting as medically obese. If black women want to be seen as more attractive... they could try eating right, working out, getting to a healthy weight.

I can assure you it will make you more attractive to men than blaming whitey for your problems.

NotMyUsername15 · Answer

... I think she's pretty.

PeachSunset · Answer

I don't think so. Tbh i've always wanted olive skin and I think black women can be SOOOOO pretty. And black men or Spanish, etc. men super handsome. I don't really have a racial preference with men. If a guy who didn't have white skin asked me out and a guy who did asked me out as well, I wouldn't choose by attractiveness I would choose by personality (but if I did by how they looked it would be features, not skin color.)

Pab3721 · Answer

Depends on the person. As with all things attractive, it's subjective. Some guys I know have a physical type, be it skinny blondes, busty brunettes, Asian girls, colored girls. Others like myself really don't care, it's the person thats attractive, not the colour or body type. As for for feeling bad for fitting a standard, all I can say is f*** the standard. Standard is boring, there is a reason special additions are worth more then the standard, it's because they are unique, dont think for a second that being unique equates being lesser in worth, it's actually the opposite.

Enigmatically · Answer

The thing is, women of color want the "straight hair" or whatever hair feature that white women have. And white women, who generally don't have the "curvy figure", " full lips", "nice ass" or whatever want those features from women of color.

Personally, I believe women of color naturally are more beautiful than white women. They seem to have more of the features that women want.

Anonymous · Answer

Other races always like to make excuses and blame the media or some other conspiracy as to why they're considered less attractive. A white woman in the UK was found to have the most scientifically beautiful face in the world. I think that pretty much settles it right there.

ButterScotchPrincess · Answer

We actually are if you look at surveys etc. but personally I know I'm popping so I've never felt less than... But I totally understand why most little girls would grow up feeling that way.

Anonymous · Answer

Beauty is not objective, there's no ideal in that sense, only averaged statistics on preference. If blond and blue eyes is the generally preferred look then ok (I'm not convinced it is yet), but that doesn't mean it's some kind of objective ideal, like a "one true" beauty.

Proportional representation is more sensible than equal representation.

Lady7 · Answer

There are like tons of beautiful black/color women. Like hellooo have you not seen me? Okay im joking. But srsly there are a lot of women who aren't white who are extremely beautiful

GillFAST · Answer

There are plenty of attractive women who are not white. Everyone has their own preference. Don't let it bother you. As long as you are happy with yourself that's all that matters.

Shadowtrooper_BNG · Answer

Honestly for me its Hair doesn't really matter Pretty face (usually has glasses) I like white girls because I am white (is that strange?) Great personality

Are women of color seen as less beautiful than white women?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Are women of color seen as less beautiful than white women?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.