The existence of such a bias is also, evident from places where the colour of the skin is not reflective of the economic status. Where all are of approximately the same skin colour (African blacks, Eskimos, Australian and other Aboriginals etc.) amongst whom the ability to be a better mate is exhibited differently, (by demonstrating capabilities to carry a handicap and yet manage a capable life style e.g.: saucers in the earlobes or lower lips, painful looking body piercings or extensive tattooing or multiple neck rings etc.). However, even in such cases, clear complexion reflects health and they therefore might use Cosmetic aids (traditionally including oils, butter or animal fat) to improve the skin quality and attain a smooth complexion, only not necessarily a fairer one.

So, adjectives such as racist, slavish, casteist etc. are not really applicable and we can stop castigating ourselves or cease demonstrating a very despicable ‘Holier than thou’ attitude in an attempt to boost our own self- images by castigating others, wrongly blaming them for an attitude which they don’t really have.

There is therefore no need to take up cudgels for the dark skinned or dusky. It would be more appropriate to recognize the importance of courtesy and consideration for others and not use such uncalled-for adjectives in describing them, and to decry and scorn those that do (Film critics, especially from North India, kindly note).

Though natural selection strives for a ‘Mean’, the effects of genetic drift, and of the environment, result in a range of distribution of all characteristics. Thus thankfully offering us a greater choice – ‘Beauty thus does lie in the eye of the Beholder’ as many, in all parts of the world, see the ‘outlier’ as exotically attractive, with features such as very different hair or skin colour, different shape of eyes, or even overall build, all perceived as different from their norm and hence, seen, though mostly only temporarily till one gets used to the difference, as more attractive than the average or common. Thankfully, for most people the differences that are deemed as really attractive are those that though different are yet not too different. Hence, too much importance need not be given to undertake cosmetic or aesthetic corrections of differences perceived as shortcomings which really may only be a variation, and hence, corrections be undertaken only when they are really needed.

Finally, all across the animal kingdom, including amongst humans, it is the females who have a preference for the strong and capable and hence, motivate the males to work at charming them – even if this leads them to display characteristics that in most cases could be adverse to survival.

Ornamentation arises from arbitrary appreciation by the female at that time, and changes in such preferences result in changes in ornamentation. They co-evolve. In humans the females too strive to make themselves more noticeable to the males, but this is only to widen their choice. It is thus evident that it is mostly the females that do the choosing. Every Guy knows this all too well!

“A man on a date wonders if he’ll get lucky. The woman already knows.” – Monica Piper

The reason the ‘Girls’ use fairness creams and other cosmetics and perhaps even subject themselves to surgical procedures is to correct self-perceived shortcomings. All in an effort to be seen as more attractive to more ‘Guys’ and thus be in a better position to choose a mate from a larger pool of suitors and hence, be more confident that the choice one has made is the best
choice.

Since the ‘Guys’ have a propensity to accord greater value to what they consider good looks in their search for a mate, seeing not only symmetrical features, a curvaceous body shape (a waist to hip ratio of about 70 percent), clear and light complexion (indicates economic status and good health), dilation of pupils (a sign of arousal) and also, subconsciously sensing many other subtle indications brought about by hormonal changes in the ‘Girls’ during the fertile period of their menstrual cycles – the ‘Girls’ therefore strive to make themselves as attractive to men as they can by, at times, even simulating such of these effects as possible with cosmetic aids.

Yet, Paul J. Zak puts it – “Female choice puts males to work trying to prove their worthiness.“

Males in turn would hence, strive hard to impress and be chosen by the female they perceive as the most attractive.

Females are turned on the obvious masculine traits that could be a simple demonstration of health, strength and fitness or even a display of some traits that are actually handicaps and risks, though in a backhanded way, these are also, displays of fitness. In effect saying – “If I can survive in the wild with such a handicap, you must see me as an exceptionally good choice’:

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