Ghanaian standards of Beauty
Ghana has opposing beauty standards from the US and Europe. In Ghana curvaceous is synonymous with wealth and beauty. In contrast, a slim figure is seen as more attractive in the US and Europe. A great example of this was proven through a study done by Chapman University that showed the comparison of the U.S. standard of men that finds thinner women more attractive, Ghanaian culture is opposite and was found that men were more attracted to a heavier than normal female body. Traditionally in Ghanaian culture there is an association of thin bodies with poverty, ill health, and reduced reproductive capacity.
Additionally Miss Ghana is a well known beauty pageant that was founded in 1957 by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. With an initiative to offer the “Independent” Ghanaian woman a platform to positively impact society. It is the biggest and oldest national beauty pageant in Ghana with Monica Amekoafia becoming the first-ever Miss Ghana. However their requirements go against the cultural standard of curvaceous. For this pageant you must be 5’6 and a UK size 6-10 or equivalent which for the US is a size 2-6. This limits a lot of women who may want to participate and falls under the western colonization standard of beauty. Also as a prize you could receive a gym membership for a year. Also a woman who is “nice, respectable, calm and submissive” is seen as beautiful and shows true inner beauty. This is held to a higher standard than physical appearance. It is also interesting that a man was the founder of the pageant furthering the male standard of beauty. I find it weird and unusual that a man is making the decisions and expectations that these women must follow.
Sources:
- Female body dissatisfaction and perceptions of the attractive female … Chapman University Digital Commons. (2008). https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1052&context=psychology_articles
- Pageant history. Miss Ghana. (n.d.). https://missghana.com.gh/pageant-history/