Light Skinned Women Attractive: Biology or Environment?

[EthiopianPrince]

I've notice that all things equal, I am much more attracted to a lighter skinned woman. I wonder if that's biological like a heterosexual man's attraction to curves and a symmetrical face, or if it's brainwashing by our culture. I don't know, but I do find women with a lighter complexion than mine more attractive.

 

[LukkyKnight]

It's just you. Color, overall, has nothing to do with how attractive a woman is in physical terms.

 

[Saytur]

The symmetrical face thing is universal. Interesting story on that topic on Discover(?) last week. They presented some research that seems to indicate women respond more favorably to the residual odor on clothes worn by men who are highly symmetrical, without ever having seen who wore the clothing. Not that this has anything to do with your question.

 

[Pixie Mischief]

I think for one its preference. like some men prefer big tits. I think also is culture. If someone lives in a place where like everyone is black. thats all they see, a white woman comes along. Shes different, shes got apeal. shes new and different to experience.

 

[Guest]

 

[DarkAngel]

I only like wooly sheep!

 

[MechaBlade]

I think people tend to be attracted to people that look like themselves, except for the exoticism factor. Ideally, I want someone my own skin tone (light, yet brown), but I would date darker and lighter than me. Black people have a saying: "The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice," which I think proves that some people prefer more melanin.

I wouldn't say brainwashing, but in America we are often subjected to the "ideal:" blond and blue eyes. Even when it's a brunette with brown eyes, there are more white (light) women in America, thus you see more in the media as possible romantic figures.

My two cents.

 

[penguindance]

 

[Guest]

I like Buffy.

 

[Pixie Mischief]

what does buffy have anything to do with this?

 

[Guest]

what does buffy have anything to do with this?

She's white, skinny and blonde. Probably a Jew also.

 

[Pixie Mischief]

and she can Kick Your Ass.

 

[EthiopianPrince]

LOL@buffy.

I think she's hot too. But all of my fantasy celebrities, from Jasmine Guy to Jennifer Lopez, to Selma Hayek to Reese Witherspoon happen to be lighter (than me).

 

[Guest]

and she can Kick Your Ass.

Why should she? I don't suck blood.

 

[Pixie Mischief]

I prefer willow

and shed kick your ass. well she has kicked the ass of mortals before not just vampires. havent you watched buffy before?

 

[Monazwx]

Culture definitely has alot to do with this mindset, esp. in America. Even today, some black people feel that lighter skin is more attractive despite facial features (not in all cases, but I've instances where guys have married 'yellow' girls thinking that they would have cuter children). It's not biological or brainwashing though. The media perpetuates this. More often, you'll see a 'dark' guy with a lighter-skinned model than vice versa.

In earlier times, being lighter-skinned meant a better job, or an opportunity for further education or a better marriage, etc. All social consequences of people's prejudice, which, unconsciously is continually repeated.

Originally posted by MechaBlade
"The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice," which I think proves that some people prefer more melanin.

Sugar rush?

 

[TWB]

I've notice that all things equal, I am much more attracted to a lighter skinned woman. I wonder if that's biological like a heterosexual man's attraction to curves and a symmetrical face, or if it's brainwashing by our culture. I don't know, but I do find women with a lighter complexion than mine more attractive.

Maybe just racist tendencies.



Maybe not.

 

[Pyper]

Actually, it IS biology.

Women (within the context of their own ethnic group) who have lighter skin tend to be more fertile. A women's skin changes tone during puberty, becoming more pale.

I must emphasize that this does not mean that European women are more fertile or attractive than African women. But way back when in hunter-gatherer days, the women in the group with the lightest skin were the most fertile, and thus most attractive to men.

Nowadays, of course, we cannot apply this standard, because ethnic groups have become so mixed and matched that lighter skin is no longer a true indicator of fertility. However, this may explain why many men prefer women with lighter skin than themselves, and that the blond-haired/blue-eyed woman has been held up for so long as the ideal of beauty.

 

[Pixie Mischief]

that doesnt make sense about the blondes, redheads are even more pale.

 

[Pyper]

that doesnt make sense about the blondes, redheads are even more pale.

Pale-complected...sorry. That includes hair. And redheads are relatively rare, while blondes much more common, and therefore a better example of ideal beauty. Also, red hair has been historically viewed with much superstition and negativity, so a pale-skinned redhead may have not been considered as attractive as a slightly darker-skinned blonde.

 

[Pixie Mischief]

OY OY OY! yes we redheads are rare. natural ones anyways LOL and they had bad superstition it sucked. didnt they kill redheaded baby males in ireland or something?

 

[Pyper]

OY OY OY! yes we redheads are rare. natural ones anyways LOL and they had bad superstition it sucked. didnt they kill redheaded baby males in ireland or something?

I really don't know (I'm the anthropology buff, don't know much about history ), but I imagine killing all the redheads in Ireland would make a serious dent in the population.

 

[Chicklet]

i happen to like darker skinned ladies.

 

[Pixie Mischief]

Yeah really! lol all of ireland would be dead LOL I'm not Irish as far as I know but I am a redhead

 

[The Heretic]

I believe it is both cultural and genetic - at least genetic for lighter skinned people. Genetic programming by definition tends towards seeking a mate with similar physical aspects. Cultural programming also tends towards that - although it can work at odds.

I personally am rather attracted to a certain type of facial structure and features - usually a mixture of oriental and european:

Of course, it came as little surprise to me that Kristen Kreuk is half Dutch and half Chinese. I also prefer the pics that show her with lighter skin (lighting is hard to guage).

I do like the appearance of Asian women, but I have found that I prefer Japanese and some Chinese women who are light skinned to darker skinned southeastern Asian women.

My preference for lighter skinned women is purely a visceral response - it has nothing to do with any supposed "racist" sentiments.