In a world where it is becoming more and more popular to "fix" yourself with surgery, teens are now following suit. The number of teens ages 13 to 19 that are choosing cosmetic surgery has doubled from 2002 to 2006, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Is plastic surgery necessary for teens? Experts like to say that it depends on the reason for the surgery. One expert says "don't have a nose job because you are worried what people think" and that it has to do more with how the teen feels on the "inside" and whether it will make them feel better "inside and out".
Do teens really know the difference here? Are they not feeling good on the inside because other kids may be making fun of them?
In a world where bullying is making headline news, we all know how name-calling and teasing can have an impact on kids. Although, there are different levels of bullying. Unfortunately for years kids have taken part in name-calling and yes, it can be pretty devastating as a teen. But, is undergoing an invasive high-risk surgery really the answer? Is this telling our kids that any time they cannot cope or deal with something to go out and have surgery and that everything can be taken care of just like that?
What is this teaching our kids about perfectionism? Are we teaching our kids that we must be perfect, that flaws are not acceptable? Do we want our kids to group in a world where we must be perfect?
How do you feel about the increase in the amount of teens having plastic surgery?
The number of teens undergoing plastic surgery is increasing - how do you feel about this?
Posted by Dalia (Generation X Mom) Labels: plastic surgery, teens
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14 opinions:
I think it's absurd.
The teenage body isn't finished growing or developing. And more importantly, teenagers haven't found their sense of self.
Going under the knife isn't going to help that.
Now, of course, in circumstances of disfigurement or similar, I can understand and I think cases can be made in those instances.
Other than that, no way.
I think it is too young for plastic surgery. They're still trying to figure out who they are and it's not a good message to give to your child. Parents should raise their children with high self-esteem and if they want to do it when they're older, then ok - it's a decision that should be made when you're an adult.
Priorities and risks need to be understood and I don't think a teenager would fully understand either of those. Elective surgery would be at the top of the list for them - they're not going to take into account "the big picture". I'd even argue that most 21 year olds wouldn't be mature enough to do it, but there are always exceptions to the rule though. It mostly depends on the person's maturity level.
I think it's stupid. Unless you're undergoing plastic surgery for something that happened to you because of an injury, accident, or pertains to your health you really have no business getting that kind of medical attention. I mean, look at what Heidi Montag's done to herself. She looked absolutely fine before the boobs and the new chin. She looked a lot better than she does now, but look at the message she's giving to people. Things like this just really irritate me because it makes people more vain, think selfishly, and tell God that He did something wrong in the way He made them. There were a lot of things I didn't like about my looks growing up, but I was a kid, my body was still developing. Patience is a virtue, you know. Okay, I'm going to stop now because I don't want to get mean about it, but this just really irks me.
I think this is horrifying and mostly just so sad - changing one's face or body is not going to improve self-confidence, it totally misses the point.
Though I also agree with Canewife in extreme cases.
I agree with CaneWife.
When I was a teenager, I hated the space between my teeth, and my big ears, and I probably hated other stuff too. Like ALL teenagers.
Now that I'm in my 20s, I've either grown into those things or learned to accept them.
You are right about the disfigurement though. I had/have a lazy eye and was teased mercilessly about it (still am sometimes...by idiots). I had a surgery as a baby and had one in 2001 (10th grade) for it. Without that, I wouldn't be the woman I am today.
People are so rude to people with lazy eyes! UGH! Makes me sick!
(Sorry for the tangent) :o).
I agree with CaneWife - elective plastic surgery in the teen years is just going overboard. If something needs "fixing" due to accidents/etc., that's one thing. But to get a nose job, or a boob job, or whatever "just because."
Has anyone ever read the series called "The Uglies"? I can't recall who wrote it - there are 4 books altogether, I think - premise is that by a certain age, all the teens have had surgery to make them "beautiful" and one of the characters rebels against this. Haven't read them myself, I just keep seeing them in stores.
If people can't like you because you have a large nose, or imperfect teeth, or whatever, than they're the ones who need "fixing" - and not on the outside, either!
People die from having surgery i.e. the surgery itself can kill perfectly healthy people. My father has a very good friend who is an esteemed surgeon and he always says to anyone who asks "never have surgery unless it is absolutely necessary". So for most young people having cosmetic surgery simply to improve their looks it is unnecessary and should not be allowed, parental agreement or no.
We all have imperfections, however some people have major disfigurements - and for a teenager living with one can be unbearable. So if it is affecting the mental health and well being of such a child then, and only then, do I think the surgery should be allowed
I think plastic surgery itself is ridiculous unless it's for medical reasons. So the fact that teens are getting it done is even more appalling to me.
Years ago I saw on some talk show where girls were being given boob jobs for their high school graduation present. I think that's totally ridiculous! The only cosmetic surgery I'd be okay with would be reconstructive surgeries.
My daughter already tells me she wants to be blond when she grows up. I sure hope that's just a phase. I'm not even down with changing hair color!
Wow. I think it's terrible pesonally. Although, there are some cases where it's necessary like a cleft lip for example. Do we REALLY think that having a great body will make us happy. We should be inveting in the more important things in life.
If the surgery were for something like a cleft palate or a birth defect or even an accident of some kind that left their face deformed in some way, I would probably understand it better, but having lipo, boob jobs, and nose jobs is ridiculous. Teens are not even done growing, changing and maturing until adulthood. It's so sad the level of importance we have placed on our looks and how much we have allowed the media and Hollywood to dictate what is "beautiful."
I totally agree with almost all the above comments. Except in cases of accident or disfigurement, I think it is sad that ANYONE feels the need to change their looks with plastic surgery. For teenagers, it is even sadder. It makes me wonder what these girls (I'm assuming it is mostly girls) are hearing about body image and their looks at home, and what their mothers are modelling about loving the body/ face God has given them.
Plastic surgery for boobs in young women is ridiculous.
Nose jobs? I have no problem with them. I have people in my family, as well as many friends who had nose jobs done as teens. Noses are fixable and some are downright big. (think Karl Malden, Jimmy Durante) Why need to suffer with low self-esteem because of it?
I know people who had them done and their whole persona changed because they now felt that they looked better.
Parents need to have some counceling sessions with their child, as well as interview many doctors before having a teen's nose done.
Other types of plastic surgery not medically related? Unnecessary.
http://keepitsimplesister-mommymommymommy.blogspot.com/
Hi! I saw your blog on Blogging Women, glad to find it!
Until reading this post, the word 'plastic' in 'plastic surgery' hadn't stood out to me. 'Cosmetic surgery' sounds like a touch up, whereas I see 'plastic' as more fake.
In Killing Us Softly 3 with Jean Kilbourne, she speaks on how implants turn women from subjects into objects.
Write on.
www.chelsearising.com
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