Question

What are the effects of colorism on adults in Jamaica?

Answer 1

Colorism is something which has been present for a long time and specially during the times of slavery. It is very unfortunate that only recently it has been under constant studies and gradually laws and policies are being attempted to develop against it. Though colorism is prevalent in all over the world yet Jamaica is a place where it is highly prevalent. Colorism in simple words can be explained as the preference of people with lighter skin tone over those with darker skin tone. Thus, it serves as a synonymous function of racism and there are a lots of ways in which colorism has affected the Jamaican adults. Some of these effects are:

• The Jamaican adults with darker skin tone have been found to exhibit lower self esteem due to social discrimination.
• The Jamaican adults faces problems with getting a job and its wages because of their dark colour.
• There has been prevalence of more symptoms of depression and anxiety in Jamaican adults with darker skin tone.
• Due to the socially approved practises of colorism in the Jamaican regions, various light skinned Jamaican adults have been found to show violence and discrimination against those with darker skin tone.
• Some studies have also found that some Jamaican women with dark skin tone perceives themselves as less attractive, less accepted and thus, their self confidence gets affected negatively due to colorism.