Beauty Is Skin Deep; The Self-Perception of Adolescents and Young Women in Construction of Body Image within the Ankole Society

Ruth Kaziga, Charles Muchunguzi, Dorcus Achen and Susan Kools
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Ruth Kaziga: Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara 1410, Uganda
Charles Muchunguzi: Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara 1410, Uganda
Dorcus Achen: Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara 1410, Uganda
Susan Kools: School of Nursing, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800826, 202 Jeanette Lancaster Way, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Introduction: Adolescents and young women become increasingly aware of their bodies through images presented to them through social structures during their developmental stage. These images may drive them toward unhealthy behaviors including overeating, starving, and skin bleaching. This paper is part of a study that examined the Older Adolescent Banyankole Girl’s Response to the socio-cultural constructions of body image in The Ankole Region, Uganda. It aimed to understand the self-perceptions of adolescent girls of their body image within Ankole society. Methods: The study collected narrative interviews of 30 adolescent and young adult females (16–24) recruited from various institutions of learning as well as the Ankole community of southwestern Uganda. Results: Adolescent girls’ perceptions of beauty were influenced by pull and push factors that included beauty expectations, beauty comparisons, relationships, and dietary habits that keep them oscillating between traditional and contemporary beauty ideals. Findings suggest that young women could benefit from social shifting of focus from physical appearance to other valuable developmental assets. Conclusion: Government-sponsored programs that provide education and positive media messages may be beneficial to building the self-esteem of young women.

Keywords: adolescent girls; body image; self-esteem; Ankole (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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