Social Studies School Based Assessment

2020

Name: Judene Brown & Shemar Salmon

School: Lewisville High School

Teacher: Miss Z Laing

Grade: 11

Title: The causes, consequences and solutions to skin bleaching in Donegal in St. Elizabeth.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENTS PAGES

Acknowledgement ……………………………………………………………………...2

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..3

Statement of Problem …………………………………………………………………..4

Reason for Selecting Topic ……………………………………………………………..5

Method of Data Collection ………………………………………………………….….6

Data Collection Instrument ……………………………………………………………..7

Procedure used to collect Data …………………………………………………….…..10

Presentation and Analysis of Data …………………………………………………….11

Interpretation of Data ………………………………………………………………….16

Findings ……………………………………………………………………………….18

Recommendations and Implementation Strategy …………………………………......20

Bibliography …………………………………………………………………………..21

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 Acknowledgement

The successful completion of this investigation would not have been possible without the

assistance and cooperation of a number of people. Therefore, we would like to thank our

families, friends and community members who encouraged, assisted and participated in this

research. We would to thank our teacher who guided us every step of the way throughout the

exercise. Finally, we want to thank God for giving us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

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 Introduction

Donegal is a small community in the parish of St. Elizabeth. We have been residents of this

community for the past 10 years. As members of the community we have observed that a number

of residents practice skin bleaching, which at times has a negative effect on their skin. Therefore,

we have decided to conduct a research into the causes, consequences and possible solution to

skin bleaching in the community of Donegal.

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Topic: the causes, consequences and possible solutions to skin bleaching in Donegal, St.

Elizabeth.

Statement of Problem

What are the causes, consequences and possible solutions to skin bleaching in Donegal, St.

Elizabeth?

Skin bleaching has become quite popular in the community of Donegal with both children and

adults engaged in the activity. This activity can have a negative effect on the health as well as the

social acceptance of persons. As such, the aim of this research is to identify the causes,

consequences and possible solution to skin bleaching in Donegal, St. Elizabeth.

Definition of key terms

Prevalence – the fact or condition of being prevalent/common/popular.

Cause – a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon or condition.

Consequence – a result of a particular action

Skin bleaching – a cosmetic procedure that aims to lighten dark areas of the skin or to achieve a

generally paler skin tone.

Research questions

What are the causes of skin bleaching in Donegal, St. Elizabeth?

What are the consequences of skin bleaching in Donegal, St. Elizabeth?

What are the possible solutions to skin bleaching in Donegal, St. Elizabeth?

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 Reasons for selecting area of research

The researchers have been residing in the community of Donegal for the past 10 years. During

this period the researchers have noticed an increasing number of residents who practice skin

bleaching. A decision was made to conduct a research in the area on skin bleaching to show how

prevalent is the problem is, the causes, consequences and solution to this problem.

The information received can be used to guide national planning and inform other researches as

well as to highlight the issue of skin bleaching not only in Donegal but also other communities

across Jamaica.

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 Method of Investigation

In order to collect data for this survey the questionnaire was chosen as the preferred data

collection instrument.

A questionnaire is a set of printed or written questions with a choice of answer devised for the

purpose of a survey or statistical study.

A questionnaire was chosen because it has several advantages these include;

1. It relatively easy to analyze.

2. Questionnaire is familiar to most people.

3. Questionnaire is easy to answer and a very reliable source when collect data.

4. It is confidential because names are not required

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 Data Collection Instrument

Copy of questionnaire

Dear resident

This is a survey carried out to determine the prevalence, cause, consequences and solution to

skin bleaching in the community as a part of the requirement for our Social Studies School Based

Assessment (SBA), the we are required to do.

You are therefore advised to answer these questions honestly since you are not going to write
√
your names most questions can be answered by a tick in a box like this

Thank you.

Yours respectfully

Judene Brown & Shemar Salmon

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Villagers’ Questionnaire

1. Gender: Male () Female ()

2. Age group

16-18 yrs. ()

19-25 yrs. ()

26-30yrs. ()

31 & over ()

3. How long have you been living in the community of Donegal?

0-1 year ()

2-5 years ()

6-10 years ()

11 years & over ()

4. Do you believe that skin bleaching is prevalent in the community of Donegal?

Yes () No ()

5. Do you think bleaching the skin is a good thing?

Yes () No ()

6. Why do you think people bleach their skin?

It make them look prettier because their skin is lighter ()

Some of them don’t like their skin colour ()

Peer pressure ()

Because they want to feel superior/better about themselves ()

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7. How do you think persons feel when the bleach their skin?

They feel prettier ()

They are more accepted by peers ()

They are treated better by others ()

They get more and better opportunities ()

8. What are some of the consequences of skin bleaching?

Thinning of the skin ()

Sensitivity to sunlight ()

Allergic reaction ()

Other health issues such as skin peeling, acne and cancer ()

9. What can be done by individuals to stop themselves from bleaching?

Learn to love themselves ()

Highlight their best qualities ()

Try not to be a victim of peer pressure ()

Build their self-esteem and self-confidence ()

10. What can be done to reduce skin bleaching in the community?

Issue pamphlets and brochures about effects of skin bleaching to community members ()

Invite personnel from the Ministry of Health to speak to persons who bleach ()

Have regular seminars at the community health centre about skin bleaching ()

Start a youth club in the community where members are taught to love themselves as well
as other skills to help improve their self-esteem and self-confidence. ()

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 Procedure used to collect Data

Donegal is a small community with approximately 120 households. It was calculated that a

sample of 20% was necessary in order to ensure accurate conclusions about skin bleaching in the

community. A total of 30 questionnaires were prepared for distribution to the community

member. A process of random selection was used to distribute questionnaires. Random selection

is the process that researchers use to choose participants for a study. The number of houses in the

community were written on a piece of paper and placed in a box. The box was then shaken and

thirty pieces of paper were selected. The thirty households that were selected were supplied with

questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed on November 8, 2019 and collected on

November 15, 2019. Of the 30 questionnaire distributed 28 were returned. The questionnaires

were tallied and analyzed. Of the respondents who participated in this survey 60% were males

and 40% were females.

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 Presentation and Explanation of Data
A total of a 30 questionnaires were distributed to residents of Donegal of which 28 were

returned. Of the respondents 40% were females and 60% were males.

Pie chart showing the gender of residents who participated in the survey.

40%

Male
Female

60%

Figure 1 show the percentage of males and females who participated in the survey. It can be seen

that 40% of the respondents were females while 60% were males.

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 Pie chart showing the prevalence of skin
bleaching in the community of Donegal

Yes
40% No

60%

Figure 2 show the prevalence of skin bleaching in the community of Donegal. It can be seen that

60% of the respondents believe that skin bleaching is very prevalent, while 40% of respondents

believe that it is not prevalent.

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Bar chart showing the causes of skin bleaching in the community of Donegal

80

70%
70

60

50

40

30

20
15%
10%
10
5%

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It make them look pret- Some of them don’t like Peer Pressure Because they want to
tier their skin colour feel superior/better
about themselves

Figure 3 shows the causes of skin bleaching in the community. It can be seen that 70% of

respondents believe it make them look prettier because their skin is lighter, 10% of

respondents believe some of them don’t like their skin colour, 5% of respondents believe that

peer pressure is a contributing factor and 15% of respondents believe that skin bleaching

make them feel superior/better about themselves.

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Table showing some of the consequences of skin bleaching in the community of skin bleaching

Consequences of skin bleaching Percentage

Thinning of the skin 20 %

Sensitivity to sunlight 50 %

Allergic reaction 20 %

Other health issues such as skin peeling, acne 10 %

and cancer

Figure 4 shows the consequences of skin bleaching. It can be seen that 20% of respondents

believe that skin bleaching results in the thinning of the skin, 50% of the respondents believe

skin bleaching cause sensitivity to sunlight, 20% believe that it causes allergic reaction and 10%

believe that it causes other health issues such peeling of the skin, acne and skin cancer.

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Bar graph showing what can be done to reduce the practice of skin bleaching in the community

of Donegal.

40%
40
30 25%
20%
20 15%
10
0

Figure 5 shows the various solutions to skin bleaching in the community. 15% of respondent

believe that skin bleaching can be reduced if pamphlets and brochures about effects of skin

bleaching are issued to community members, while 40% believe that inviting personnel from the

Ministry of Health to speak to persons who bleach can help, 20% believe that having regular

seminars at the community health centre about skin bleaching is another option and 25% believe

that if a youth club is started in the community where members are taught to love themselves as

well as other skills to help improve their self-esteem and self-confidence can also help.

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 Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Skin bleaching is a concern in the community of Donegal. It has increased over the past five

years until now even children are bleaching. The persons who took part in this survey are very

concerned about this practice as it can have very serious consequences.

Of the 28 persons who took part in this research 40% of the respondents were females while 60%

were males. This is shown in figure 1. This is also in keeping with the practice of skin bleaching

as there are more males in the community who are bleaching than females. Figure 2 shows how

prevalent the practice of skin bleaching is in the community. It shows that 60% of the

respondents believe that skin bleaching is very prevalent, while 40% of respondents believe that

it is not prevalent. As mentioned before skin bleaching has become very popular in the

community. It is also evident that it has become very popular in the country, so much so that

entertainer are bleaching and even singing about, which also influence increase popularity of the

practice.

Figure 3 shows the causes of skin bleaching in the community. It can be seen that 70% of

respondents believe it make them look prettier because their skin is lighter, 10% of respondents

believe some of them don’t like their skin colour, 5% of respondents believe that peer pressure is

a contributing factor and 15% of respondents believe that skin bleaching make them feel

superior/better about themselves. These same concerns were highlighted on a program called

‘All Angles’ with Dionne Jackson Miller on TVJ in recent times.

Figure 4 shows the consequences of skin bleaching. It can be seen that 20% of respondents

believe that skin bleaching results in the thinning of the skin, 50% of the respondents believe

skin bleaching cause sensitivity to sunlight, 20% believe that it causes allergic reaction and 10%

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believe that it causes other health issues such peeling of the skin, acne and skin cancer. Skin

bleaching can have dangerous and lost lasting effects on the individual, which include those

mentioned in figure 4 but also mercury poisoning, damage to nerves, blindness and cancer. Many

of the persons who are using these bleaching creams are unaware of the serious side effects of

using these chemical on the skin.

Figure 5 shows the various solutions to skin bleaching in the community. 15% of respondent

believe that skin bleaching can be reduced if pamphlets and brochures about effects of skin

bleaching are issued to community members, while 40% believe that inviting personnel from the

Ministry of Health to speak to persons who bleach can help, 20% believe that having regular

seminars at the community health centre about skin bleaching is another option and 25% believe

that if a youth club is started in the community where members are taught to love themselves as

well as other skills to help improve their self-esteem and self-confidence can also help.

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 Findings

From the research, the researchers have come up with a number of findings, these include:

1. Skin bleaching is very prevalent in the community of Donegal.

2. Residents believe that the main reasons individuals practice skin bleaching are: It make

them look prettier because their skin is lighter, some don’t like their skin colour, peer

pressure and because they want to feel superior/better about themselves.

3. The consequences of skin bleaching are thinning of the skin, sensitivity to sunlight,

allergic reaction and other health issues such peeling of the skin, acne and skin cancer

4. Some solution to the practice of skin bleaching are: issuing pamphlets and brochures

about effects of skin bleaching to community members, inviting personnel from the

Ministry of Health to speak to persons who bleach, having regular seminars at the

community health centre about skin bleaching and starting a youth club is started in the

community where members are taught to love themselves as well as other skills to help

improve their self-esteem and self-confidence.

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 Recommendation and Implementation Strategy

To remedy the problem the leaders in the community can:

1. Have a public education campaign educating residents about skin bleaching

and it negative effects on the skin.

2. Offer counseling/guidance to persons who are currently bleaching and help them to stop.

The community can implement recommendation one by:

issuing pamphlets and brochures about effects of skin bleaching to community

members as well as inviting personnel from the Ministry of Health to speak to

persons who bleach, and having regular seminars at the community health centre

about skin bleaching.

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 Bibliography

Brathwaite, S., Gill, J., Wilson M. Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC. Oxford: Oxford

University Press (2012)

Umraw, R.R. & Ramsawak, R (2012). Modules in Social Studies Fifth Edition. Caribbean

Educational Publishers (2003) Ltd.

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