Exploring the reflections and experiences of young black South African women in relation to physical attractiveness and sense of self.

Abstract

There is a lot of pressure placed on women to look aesthetically perfect, however, this poses more challenge for Black women. Black women in developing countries such as South Africa are exposed to both western and traditional African norms of beauty. This study was aimed at exploring young Black South Africans experiences in relation to their physical appearance and sense of self. For data gathering, nine Black women between ages 18 and 28 were interviewed using semi-structured interviews to gain nuanced accounts. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. The themes that emanated from the data are as follows: physical attractiveness and its benefits; the media as a point of reference for physical attractiveness; racial undertones regarding physical attractiveness; gendered physical attractiveness; messages from family members and peers with regards to physical attractiveness; and traditional African beauty standards. Findings from the data suggest that participants do feel or have felt pressure to look a certain way or adhere to western beauty norms which often meant them being tempted to or changing parts of themselves such as their hair, body size, skin tone etc. Participants also suggested that the traditional African beauty standard is also limiting as it often alienates women without natural hair, dark skin, a certain body type etc. The findings suggest that women are often conflicted about which beauty norm to follow. Participants felt that there was a lot of pressure placed on them to look a certain way by different agents of socialization such as society at large, family, friends etc. And this has impacted how they feel about their bodies and themselves both positively and negatively.