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The environment in which individuals learn about the politics of bodies and the standards of beauty are saturated within society and institutions (Poran, 2002). The norms that define beauty are socially and culturally constructed and through the process of socialization learned and passed on by individuals of all ages, races, and nationalities (Poran 2002). For example, the media and various beauty industries play a significant role in creating negative and positive conceptions about beauty. Beauty norms, expectations and standards affect various people, some more than others (Marway 2017). Often what is considered beautiful are culturally and racially depended. Therefore, this paper aims to answer the following research question: what are the conceptions of race and beauty?

For years, fair skin has been regarded as the beauty norm and superior race in many parts of the world. The discriminatory and racial hierarchies of colour reveal the connection between fairness and beauty, darkness and unattractiveness (Marway 2017). Therefore, this paper argues beauty includes anything that conforms to the Western and Eurocentric conceptions of beauty, fair skin and slim body, which is embodied by many racialized groups and demonstrates that those who do not meet these standards experience low self-esteem, stigmatization, and lack of social acceptance by self and others. Studies reveal that racialized groups define beauty in terms of Western and Eurocentric norms and express the desire to conform to it. Furthermore, studies also illustrate that racialized women define beauty as ‘tall’, ‘slim’ and ‘white’, and experience stigmatization and lack of social acceptance when they do not possess these traits. The case of Barbie reinforces these beauty norms and illustrates through a doll what beauty and attractiveness consist of; fair skin and slim body.

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