Citation

Hall RE. Hisp. J. Behav. Sci. 1994; 16(3): 307-314.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/07399863940163008

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Light skin is an ideal in the United States because it is indicative of the dominant mainstream population. For Hispanic Americans whose skin reflects a range of colors, this causes distress. In their efforts to assimilate via a domination model, they are forced to internalize norms that conflict with that range. A result is the "bleaching syndrome, " manifested in the preference for light skin where applicable. The alternative causes them to su;ffer depression and other mental health disorders. Only by adhering to the internalization of nonns that idealize their population in toto can Hispanic Americans assimilate fully without incident.

Language: en