Masaba Gupta’s pregnancy experience shared in her recent interview with Faye D’Souza highlights the persistence of colorism in modern parenting
Table of contents [Show]
- Understanding Colorism in Modern Parenting
- Masaba’s Experience with Colorism During Pregnancy
- Practical Steps to Break the Cycle of Colorism in Parenting
- 1. Be Mindful of Your Language
- 2. Encourage Diverse Representation
- 3. Have Open Conversations About Colorism
- 4. Lead by Example
- 5. Foster a Strong Sense of Identity
- Why Combating Colorism Matters in Parenting Today
- Raising Confident, Resilient Children
Understanding Colorism in Modern Parenting
Despite increasing awareness, colorism still influences how people perceive beauty and success, particularly in India. Colorism in parenting manifests in subtle and often well-meaning advice, suggesting that certain foods or practices could help ensure a child is born with lighter skin.
Masaba shared a shocking yet all-too-common example. During her pregnancy, she was told to eat a rasgulla every day so her child would be born with a lighter complexion. In another instance, a masseuse advised her to drink more milk to prevent her child from having dusky skin. These remarks, though said with innocence, reflect society’s enduring color bias. Masaba, having faced racism herself, said, “You raise a child that hopefully has the resilience to power through it.” Her words underscore an essential point for parents today: we must equip our children to face these biases with confidence and strength, while also working to challenge the prejudice that still lingers in our culture.
Masaba’s Experience with Colorism During Pregnancy
In 2024, it’s disheartening to see that colorism is still a part of pregnancy advice. Masaba’s experiences reflect how this bias cuts across socio-economic lines. She emphasized that these remarks didn’t come solely from less-educated or underprivileged people but also from educated, wealthy, and well-read individuals. “It’ll be spoken of in hush tones because certain things now aren’t politically correct, but it’ll be spoken of,” she noted.
This reinforces the unfortunate reality that colorism isn’t just a societal issue—it’s also a parenting challenge. How do we, as parents, ensure that our children grow up in an environment free from these damaging biases?
Practical Steps to Break the Cycle of Colorism in Parenting
As parents, caregivers, and educators, we have the power to break the cycle of colorism in our homes and communities. Here are five practical steps to combat colorism and ensure our children grow up with a healthy sense of self-worth.
1. Be Mindful of Your Language
The words we use around our children shape their worldviews. Avoid reinforcing colorist stereotypes like associating beauty with fairness or discouraging children from outdoor play for fear of tanning. Instead, focus on complimenting your child’s unique qualities, talents, and character traits. Normalize all skin tones as beautiful by celebrating individuality.
2. Encourage Diverse Representation
Representation matters. Surround your child with books, toys, movies, and media that showcase diversity in skin color, race, and culture. When children see themselves and others represented in a positive light, they learn that beauty and worth come in all forms. This helps challenge any biases they may encounter in society.
3. Have Open Conversations About Colorism
It’s crucial to have age-appropriate discussions with your children about colorism, racism, and discrimination. Educate them about the history of these biases and why they persist today. Empower your children to speak up against discrimination and challenge colorist remarks when they encounter them.
4. Lead by Example
Children model their behavior based on what they see at home. Be a role model by treating all people equally, regardless of skin tone. If you hear colorist comments in social settings or family gatherings, address them respectfully. Show your children that it’s important to stand up against prejudice in a calm and constructive way.
5. Foster a Strong Sense of Identity
Help your child build confidence by fostering a positive sense of identity. Teach them to embrace their heritage, culture, and unique appearance. When children feel secure in who they are, they are better equipped to withstand external negativity or bias.
Why Combating Colorism Matters in Parenting Today
Colorism, though subtle, can have lasting effects on a child’s self-esteem and worldview. It’s up to modern parents to challenge these biases, ensuring that children grow up in an environment that celebrates diversity and individuality. Masaba Gupta’s experience serves as a reminder that while society may change in some ways, harmful beauty standards still persist beneath the surface.
By raising children who are confident, resilient, and aware of the world’s complexities, we can help break the cycle of colorism for future generations. This isn’t just about combating bias; it’s about equipping our children with the strength to navigate a world that doesn’t always see beauty in all its forms
Raising Confident, Resilient Children
In 2024, it's clear that while progress has been made, colorism continues to influence society—and, by extension, how we raise our children. However, as parents, we have the power to shift this narrative. By teaching our children to love themselves, stand up against bias, and appreciate the beauty of diversity, we can slowly chip away at the deep-seated prejudices that still linger today.
Let Masaba Gupta’s story inspire us all to raise children who will walk through the world unafraid of their appearance, confident in their uniqueness, and aware that their worth is defined not by their skin color but by their character.
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