To many, the notion of a teenager undergoing plastic surgery is appalling and unbelievable. For others, such as eleven-year-old Julia, a nose job was able to help her lead a happier and more normal life. To eighteen-year-old Kristen a breast augmentation is a traditional rite of passage of the family. She claims that she “just wanted to look normal,” and that after surgery, she does. (Sweeny, 2009) In these types of cases, cosmetic surgery can be beneficial to the confidence of teenagers in what Ann Kearney-Cooke calls “an epidemic of low self-esteem among girls.” (Sweeney, 2009) Whether it is a physical deformity, such as protruding ears, or simply a lack of something that other peers have, such as large breasts, cosmetic surgery can help teenagers cope with self-worth in a world where beauty is ridiculously selective. However, aside from the confidence-boosting possibilities resulting from teen cosmetic surgery, there are many reasons why it should not be taken lightly for an adolescent. Although cosmetic surgery can potentially be beneficial, there are also many extreme risks for teenagers, including medical complications and in some rare cases death, and thus should be solely a last resort after meticulous analysis for serious cases. Furthermore, neither the adolescent brain nor body is even fully developed.
The purpose of cosmetic surgery in adolescents is to enhance their appearance by altering a displeasing physical feature through surgery. While first looked down upon with alarm, as technology and greater understanding spread, it became more widely accepted and the number of procedures tripled and even quadrupled within fifteen years. (American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2011) Cosmetic surgery on adolescents has been ...
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Teenagers take extreme measures in order to “fix” themselves (by having Plastic surgery). Plastic Surgery is a surgical process used to repair deformities and glitches in a persons body. Nowadays, teenagers tend to have plastic surgeries to improve physical characteristics they feel are flawed and/or to fit in with peers, to look similar to others. In fact, it is only the pressure that has been put upon these minors that makes them want to look flawless or perfect in order to feel comfortable in their own skin and avoid any unwanted judgments. Most teenagers are not mature enough to clearly understand the problems and consequences that are accompanied with cosmetic surgery. Therefore, cosmetic surgery should not be allowed for minors.
The media has had an increasingly destructive effect on young people who are becoming worryingly obsessed with their body image. The media is saturated in sexual imagery in which young people have to face every day. The sheer volume of sexual imagery in the media today has resulted in the vast majority of young people to become hooked on looking as near to perfection everyday by using the latest products and buying the latest fashions. This used to be enough but lately the next step to achieving perfection is cosmetic surgery. Everyone wants to look attractive, especially teenagers who are not only put under massive strain to succeed but to look beautiful and climb the ranks of the social ladder, and it seems that the only way to achieve the much desired beauty is to turn to drastic measures.
She could go on fad diets or constantly exercise but still won’t be satisfied with her body. It’s not just about having a model type body. She might not think she has enough curves or that her nose is too misshapen. With that being said, this influences the likelihood of changing one’s own appearance. Because of this, it is no surprise that cosmetic surgery is on the rise with teens. Many will argue that physically altering one’s body during adolescence has too many risks involved. Teenagers might not be fully committed to a procedure, might be prone to infection or just simply are not physically ready for surgery. Others will argue that plastic surgery is a personal choice, and as long as parental consent is given then it is the individual 's decision to do so. Although everyone has the right to do as they wish with their body, teenagers are not mentally and physically prepared for plastic surgery and should not undergo a procedure unless it is for reconstructive
National Eating Disorder Association (2006). The media, body image, and eating disorders. Retrieved October 11, 2008, from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Derenne, J. L., & Beresin, E. V. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academic Psychiatry, 30(3), 257-61. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.waketech.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/196508089?accountid=15152
Plastic surgery can be bad for teenagers because teenagers can't think about long term risk. For example, breast implants have risk including infection, chronic pain, numbness and future problems with breastfeeding. Some surgeons have a discussion with patients or give psychological test to be sure teen patients have a maturity level to make the decision for implants. Teens are often reckless people and the futures seem very far away to a young girl who wants model looks. This is also true for teens and other kinds of surgeries.
Most of us don't like some aspect of our appearance, whether it's sagging eyes or excess weight in particular areas, to name a few complaints. Lately a record numbers of Americans are doing something about it by having plastic surgery. Since 1995, the number of cosmetic procedures, which range from liposuction to facelifts, has almost tripled (English 23). Is that a healthy choice-or a dangerous trend? Aging has become the field of the future for plastic surgeons whose patients have reasons not always valid in the search for youth and beauty.
In conclusion, the benefits of cosmetic surgery differ between people and situations; any negative thoughts of others may have an effect on a person’s decision to have a procedure done, but it is for the patient to decide if changing their body is the right decision for them. Regardless of the influences on the younger generation, unrealistic ideologies of patients, and moral issues others may have, plastic surgery will continue to be a huge part of society. However, society should be focusing on how to encourage others to seek happiness in whatever they seem fit, rather than choose to destroy the aspirations of others who choose to build a perfect body for
Derenne, J. L., & Beresin, E. V. (2006). Body image, media, and eating disorders. Academic Psychiatry, 30(3), 257-261.
Cosmetic surgery is becoming a trend world-wide today because humans can never be fully satisfied in terms of looks; however, this type of surgery has many serious perils rather than some benefits that we already know.
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"Is it the nose one week, the ears the next, and the breast the following week?" This statement comes from Darrick Antell, MD, a New York plastic surgeon concerning the rise in teen plastic surgery. Should teenagers go through plastic surgery to achieve the ideal body image for society and themselves? My answer would be no because a teenagers body is still developing, there are also many risks involved, and society now has put immense pressure for teenagers to have a certain look for examples celebrities. Plastic surgery should not be something a teenager should be thinking about at a young age and this makes it controversial because more teenagers are doing surgery. If a teenager is having a plastic surgery it should be for medical purposes