Abstract
This paper reports on a study that investigated body-image perceptions and the beauty practices, such as skin lightening, black-henna application and purposively induced weight gain, of young, educated Sudanese women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 female students from universities across Khartoum. Participants came from Christian and Muslim families and, regardless of their origin, were all city-residents. The interviews were conducted and transcribed in Arabic, translated into English, and examined using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that beauty-related behaviours serve various potential purposes, including improvement in economic standing, increased social esteem and the preservation of a strong Sudanese national identity. Although the data was collected in 2006, recent evidence shows these practices remain of importance to young women; there remains a need to explore the range of drivers behind such practices and how best to address their harmful impacts (Yousif et. al 2014).
Highlights
Several factors play a role in shaping a person’s perception of the ideal body image, and their thoughts and feelings about their own body
A limitation of the sample was the fact that the views emerging from the interviews did not indicate variations linked to their different religious beliefs, much more work is needed to explore the role of such beliefs in beauty practices
All the participants lived in Khartoum, but four participants were from rural areas of Sudan
Summary
Several factors play a role in shaping a person’s perception of the ideal body image, and their thoughts and feelings about their own body In both cases, the socio-cultural context – that is, the culturally specific and shifting values, beliefs or ‘ways of knowing’, and the dominant narratives of beauty – play central, determining roles (Tai Soon 2013). There is variation in what is considered to be an ideal body image by different people, and by different cultural and ethnic groups throughout the world (Dlova et al 2014; Baumann, 2008) Authors such as Tovée et al (2006) suggest that personal preferences in attractiveness are flexible, and can change with exposure to different environments and situations.
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