Do Jamaican men still love their brownings?
The two-toned women parading on the streets wearing winter gear is testament to the fact that there’s still a market for the browning (real or chemical) in Jamaican society. But are male perceptions still skewed towards the Buju Banton ‘love mi browning’ ideal?
Our preoccupation with colour dates back to the days of slavery, and Dr Caryl James, lecturer at the University of the West Indies, says skin bleaching products continue to be in high demand.
“Worldwide, the use of skin lightening products is driven by an indelible belief that the lighter gradation of skin tone results in more prestige and opportunities,” the clinical psychologist and body image expert said.
“Not only is a lighter skin complexion seen as a form of symbolic capital, but it has also been seen as a sign of attractiveness and desirability, particularly among females.”
But what about male perception?
“I grew up in a household where everyone was of a lighter complexion, including myself,” explained Andrew, a college student.
“And so subconsciously when I choose females to be my girlfriends they have always been brown. It’s not that I wouldn’t date a dark skinned girl, it’s just that if I am honest with myself I have had more light skinned girlfriends than dark skinned ones.”
Added Giovanni, an entertainer: “It’s not about light or dark, it’s about attractiveness. Bleaching is different from toning. The women who bleach (with creams) don’t look attractive to me, but some take the bleaching pills and look totally white.”
He said he only dates white or light skinned girls, “because it’s a personal preference, not because I have anything against black women.”
Other men interviewed who said they dated light-skinned women exclusively chalked their choices to personal preference, and insisted that bleaching was a turn-off.
Only two men explicitly stated a preference for darker skinned women, or for character over looks.
Said Patrick: “When I look at a female, I see a woman. I don’t generalise or stereotype. I don’t see fat or slim, black or brown.”
Derrick, on the other hand, prefers African features in any shade — “Physique wise, African women tend to be thicker — they have nice breasts and butts.”
Dr James said there is definitely an interplay of historical, cultural, socio-political and psychological influences surrounding Jamaican women and skin bleaching.
She said the more extreme the body modification activities a female is engaged in to change her physical appearance, the more you have to examine her underlying motives for doing so.
“Feeling good about oneself has to come first from internal work, it has nothing to do with skin colour. It is not so much that the skin lighteners result in feelings of attractiveness; it is that the person who undergoes skin bleaching is of the opinion that they are fashionable, more acceptable and hence exude more sex appeal to the opposite sex,” she said.
