The lighter side of marriage: skin bleaching in post-colonial Ghana

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Periodical article

Title:	The lighter side of marriage: skin bleaching in post-colonial Ghana
Author:	Fokuo, J. Konadu
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Research Review
Volume:	25
Issue:	1
Pages:	51-73
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	aesthetics women beauty culture industry body arts marriage Anthropology, Folklore, Culture Human skin color--Social aspects Beauty, Personal--Social aspects
Abstract:	Skin colour plays a significant role in the lives of Ghanaian women. Many Ghanaian women's feelings about beauty, attractiveness and the marriage market are associated with skin complexion. Using a sample of 60 Ghanaian students and 30 market trading women, this study investigated skin colour (i.e. its lightness-darkness) as a function of social capital in the marriage market. A skin colour assessment procedure was administered to all participants. It appeared that, although participants were satisfied with their skin colour, they believed that Ghanaian men found lighter-skinned women more attractive. App., bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]