The cosmetic industry and the western construction of ageing: Impact on older Caribbean/West Indian women and their adaptation and resistance strategies

This major research paper (MRP) explores Caribbean/West Indian women’s perspectives on the impact of the western construction of ageing and the cosmetic industry and their adaptation and resistance strategies. The research questions asked what the impact of the western construction of ageing and the cosmetic industry on older women is and how have older Caribbean/West Indian women from Canada and the Caribbean responded to this impact. The theoretical framework used to analyze participants’ narratives is critical race feminism (CRF). This qualitative study uses critical ethnography as its approach to inquiry and semi-structured interviews as its data collection method. The themes that arose from these interviews were (a) western culture and ageing; (b) alternate views of ageing; (c) maintaining a healthy balance, and (d) resilience. The findings revealed that participants strongly disagreed with the western view of ageing. Instead, they saw ageing as a natural process that should be embraced.