What are the different reason that people tan themselves?

Answer 1

A dark tan was not always considered desirable. Before the industrial revolution tanned bodies were a sign of manual labour. They were thought of as a sign of the poor and working class who had to work in the Sun. The elite were not exposed to the Sun and remained covered. Women had parasols and bathing suits covered large portions of the body. In these days pale skin was in fashion.

Tanning only became a status symbol in the early 20th century when because of increased ease of travelling people were able to go and spend their holidays by the sea side. Transforming from being a sign of the working class a tan now became a sign of financial strength. In fact it was observed that with the coming of machines the workers spent less time in the Sun and thus became paler while the rich with more leasure time spent extra time in the Sun resulting in a change from before.

By the early 1920's "Sun therapy" was very popular and was prescribed as a cure for everything from simple fatigue to tuberculosis.

However it was not until the 1920s that the French fashion designer Coco Chanel popularized the suntan as a high fashion statement and soon people started persuing a perfect tan. This has continued over the years and even now a dark tan is considered by some as something that makes you look healthier and younger.

However recent studies have shown that a tan is, in fact, harmful to ones skin and leads to wrinkles, reduces life expectancy, and can lead to skin cancer. Thus steps have now been taken to educate the population about the harmful effects of tanning and promoting a safer Sun culture among everyone.

Answer 2

MEDIA obsessed culture. Why else wouldn't people want to tan themselves in America? Look at all the other countries with darker skin.... who are not into tans but something like light/white cream lotion!

Now that tells you something about who wants to look more tan or lighter in skin color. I think it boils down to men's obsession of lighter people getting tan skin and darker people getting lighter skin tones.

It's about men's institutional power of how they percieve what is beautiful. Indeed, this has caused so many confusion among the general population... especially among women... who are pressured everyday to 'feel' like they need tans or lighter cream lotion to look beautiful.

We have done this upon ourselves people.

Answer 3

The society we live in has impressed that tan skin, is sexy skin. For example, in asain countries, extremely white skin is sexy; it varies.

Personally, I find that tan skin can make a person look thinner and even a nice glow can be healthy.

Its all subjective, everyone has their own reason, but it gets down to the standards that society has placed as whats hot, as ridiculous as they are.

Answer 4

Well since I am Afro Americian I would say people tan themselves for the dark pretty skin color.There are different shades of Afro Americians and all of the shades are wonderful.I have a girlfriend who told me that's the reason why she does it.Maybe people just aren't satisfied with who they are.Tanning the skin is dangerous really.I think people just should be happy with who they are and happy with there own skin..

Answer 5

When pale you look sickly or tired. Being tan brightens your skin tone and gives you a lil life. Easy way to boost ur self confidence, unless you do those nasty spray tans and look like a fake ompa loompa lol

Answer 6

Some people think a tan looks healthier and better.

Answer 7

vanity
keeping a tan after a holiday
obsession.

Answer 8

Dude, do your own homework, okay? But since you asked - people expose their skin to the sun's radiation because they like the way tanning skin looks.

Answer 9

one it because they what to attract a persons attention, the other so so they look good when the get in to a body building contest so the dark can show their muscle's when they do the contest.also they like looking tan.

Answer 10

They don't know any better...Thank God I was born with naturally-tanned skin (black) so I never need to tan. I have beautiful skin.