Why is plastic surgery so romanticized and encouraged in our current society, and how does it influence our world? by Josephine Wong

Good points about ps

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:22:34 UTC

Bad points about ps

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:22:44 UTC

Reconstructive surgery

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:23:21 UTC

It can help restore bodily functions and give the person a little more control over their lives. They have already been through such a traumatic accident, the last thing they need is to be self conscious about their appearance. Others also make fun of what they don't understand/is not considered normal. They could face a lot of discrimination and bullying if they didn't get it

When done in small amounts, can boost self esteem

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:23:35 UTC

capitalism breaks down peoples' self esteem in order to sell more procedures and materials

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:24:16 UTC

Social media plays a massive part by convincing people that they need to reach inhuman standards.

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:24:44 UTC

encourages people to fix outwards instead of inwards. If left untreated can lead to many mental health issues

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:25:18 UTC

People with plastic surgery will lie about their procedures in order to sell products(like anti-aging, weight loss)

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:26:10 UTC

Of course, this leads to the gender side of things. Men are marketed towards too. They have their own set of struggles. However, the kind that women face are much more persistent and ingrained in society

How does gender play a role?

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:29:04 UTC

While there are standards in place for men too, women are more often villainized and ridiculed for not meeting the impossible beauty standards imposed upon them

TV and other forms of media also contribute

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:32:02 UTC

even as kids, we are taught that the unconventional and old are evil. Take, for example, the nose shape of princesses vs villains in Disney movies. The princesses are regarded as conventionally attractive with small upturned noses. The villains generally have different types, which are surprisingly seen more frequently in other cultures(for example, having a high nose bridge)

How does culture and race impact it?

jcw215_ — 2023-11-08 23:36:59 UTC

American society perceives beauty very differently than say, an East Asian country. They have a standard and a certain "look" that people should have. However, people of other cultures may not be able to reach that simply because of genetics. For example, the high nose bridge from before may be more common in places like South Asia. We villainize it here. Could it be that America villainizes them and that is why they are portrayed like that, or is it that it was more subconscious?(that people aren't outwardly racist, but ignorant. They deem anything out of the ordinary as "evil" and seek to spread that ideology to others)

what happens when someone gets a dopamine boost from it and can't stop?

jcw215_ — 2023-11-09 00:06:29 UTC

Of course, no one who is addicted wants to be addicted. What happens if someone who is otherwise self assured and confident happens to get such a big rush of dopamine from it that they continue, until it becomes an addiction?

Do our childhood experiences(both personal and watching other interactions) affect how we see ourselves

jcw215_ — 2023-11-09 00:11:39 UTC

If a child grows up around people always criticizing them, or comparing them to others(this one is both negative and positive), it places a massive focus on outward appearance. Someone who is criticized will never think they are good enough, someone who is constantly praised will feel pressure to maintain their "status," as it teaches the child that their worth comes from their appearance. If you watch others pay close attention to appearances as well, it will become a learned behaviour.

How does it create a disparity economically?

jcw215_ — 2023-11-09 00:15:06 UTC

people always say, "you're not ugly, just poor." On top of racial and cultural division, it creates an economic barrier. Surgeries are expensive. Many people cannot afford it. However, in places like South Korea, your appearance has everything to do with everything. You may be selected for or rejected from a job based on appearance. It makes it so that the richest keep getting richer(monetarily and opportunity wise), and the poor keep descending.

It also widens the gap in mental health and economic status

jcw215_ — 2023-11-09 00:19:03 UTC

The focus on appearance makes it so that people feel bad about themselves. People can't all afford therapy and mental health services. Again, it makes it worse and worse for those who are economically disadvantaged