Attraction

anacrassis · 2015-11-11T02:55:05+00:00

Why are we sensitive about things that seem to indicate a preference for light-skinned people with non-black hair? Do you really need to ask that question?

wub1234 · 2015-11-11T03:04:48+00:00

The distinction with skin colour is that there is a strong cultural element. We're programmed to be attracted to height, symmetry, etc.

I've always thought it must seem weird to black people and other dark skinned races that we Caucasians make such a fuss out of trying to get a tan.

And, to be fair, I've never once heard any woman say that bald men are pathetic.

pandorarosie · 2015-11-11T06:24:23+00:00

Both facial symmetry and height are traits we seek because it reflects you didn't face any environmental insults that might have stunted your growth or facial features.

Nowadays...it's pretty useless, it's a residual trait left over when environmental insults used to influence those things and it would mean the person is unhealthy...now with our medical system, it's not the case...at least in Western/european societies.

As for skin...we often like those who look like us...or what we see often. We see a lot of white famous people...so that could be it too?

RacialRealism · 2015-11-11T05:01:57+00:00

Traditionally skin tone has been used an indication of status.

Victorian Era - If you where rich enough to stay inside all day and not work the field, you where pasty, therefore succesful / noble.

Today - If you're pasty you spend all day sitting at a cubicle staring at a computer, which has been associated with low socio-economic standing.

Personally I am attracted to all skin tones, I don't know what the big deal is we're all pink on the inside.

energyvolley · 2015-11-11T05:58:36+00:00

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SmurfESmurferson · 2015-11-11T16:04:09+00:00

Why is skin whitening considered the worst thing ever, but using radiation to darken your skin is 100% cool.

Not exactly what you asked, but this is my field, so I'll geek out a bit. It may also give you a glimpse into what some of the underlying safety issues when it comes to correcting skin tone.

From the perspective of both the beauty/grooming industry, and governments around the world (specifically, the US and the EU), both skin whitening and tanning beds are problematic and carcinogenic.

Speaking strictly of products, pale women have an "out" in terms of self tanner. The active ingredient (DHA) is arguably a carcinogen (not all experts agree), but is universally considered less damaging as the UV radiation in tanning beds.

Many people (including me) don't find the look of self tanner attractive, but the default is still "pale" ... Which remains an attractive to many people.

On the other hand, the active ingredients (specifically in countries with lax regulation, such as India) in skin whitening products are horrifying - mercury (and/or its derivatives) and high percentages of hydroquinone (a scary carcinogen that the US only allows by prescription when it's more than 2%).

Hydroquinone, in particular, has a "bounce back" effect on melanin that essentially forces users to continue to use it, regardless of the health consequences. You don't get to use it until you get to a certain level of white, then stop. You have to keep exposing yourself to it in order to continue to reap the benefits, or deal with patchy areas of darkness coming back with a vengeance.

There basically are no alternatives to these formulations (the closest, kojic acid, is nowhere near as effective in clinical studies), and the only other option is to stay "dark" and be considered more unattractive.

TL;DR Essentially, dark skinned people in India have to make a choice between committing to a lifetime of rubbing their largest organ (skin) with known carcinogens, or stay unattractively dark (by social standards).

Pale people get to chose between rubbing their skin with a far safer product, or continue to stay their socially acceptable level of pale.

wuboo · 2015-11-11T02:57:41+00:00

The skin color one is interesting. Asians have an obsession with having light skin to about the extent Americans have with having tanned skin. One summer I had gotten quite dark tan and then went on a trip to Korea. How dark I looked was literally the first thing people there would bring up to me in conversation. Other than the facial symmetry, I think all the other things you listed are very much cultural.

AprilMaria · 2015-11-11T05:33:07+00:00

I make no secret of the fact I'm only attracted to my fellow Northern Europeans

Even a lot of full blooded Germans are too dark for me.

I don't see what the problem is.

Broskidoski · 2015-11-11T12:41:52+00:00

Whatever you find attractive is your business and no one else's. Anyone judging your preferences can go fuck themselves.

Shaming tactics in society directed towards certain types of looks (eg. short men, muscular women) is a completely different debate.

Title	Attraction
Author	[deleted]
Upvotes	2
Comments	34
Date	November 11, 2015 2:41 AM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/PurplePillDebate
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/PurplePillDebate/comments/3scy4w/attraction/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/PurplePillDebate/attraction.278531 https://theredarchive.com/post/278531

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