Cosmetic Surgery: Why? Why? Why?
Let me begin by saying I am not against to all forms of cosmetic surgery – only those that are elected by patients that merely serves the purpose of changing their appearance for no medical reason. This multi-million dollar industry greatly irritates, infuriates and sickens me on a daily basis when all I can do is compare the money spent on needless medical procedures to the millions of people starving to death all over the world.
There are many reasons to elect for plastic surgery. The reasons that have no medical founding are almost completely done in an attempt to look younger. Americans have an obsession with smooth, flawless skin, big breasts, flat stomachs, and full heads of hair among other fixations. This is fairly unique to our society when compared to other parts of the world.
Take Africa for example. Living there for 3 months, I have a first-hand account of the way age is seen there and it opposes America completely. The elderly village members in Africa are treated with the utmost respect, and are considered the wisest of all villagers. They are sought out for advice from all, and their word is always heeded. Growing old is a right that is granted, and Africans grow old with pride and dignity.
Why do Americans view aging as a disease to be avoided at all costs (literally)? Think of what the money we spend each year to look younger could buy! I heard a statistic several years ago regarding the make-up industry. If everyone in America stopped buying make-up for a year, the money that would have been spent could cure poverty. Although I have not found any research to support this, suffice to say that millions of dollars would be saved and could be put to much better use than to paint our faces.
We’ve all seen plastic surgery queens like Joan Rivers and the like, spewing the pros of the industry while looking like someone made her face out of papier-mache. I won’t even go near the topic of Michael Jackson. It boggles my mind. Why can’t we accept ourselves for who we are? Why not spend some of that money on talk-therapy instead? No matter how many boob and nose jobs one gets, your internal sense of self will not be altered until you get a healthy mentality in place. If you don’t and just keep having surgery to make you feel better, you’re never going to reach that goal of happiness. It’s a lot less superficial than that.
In a perfect world, we’d all love ourselves for who we are, faults, flaws and all. I am not deluded enough to think this is possible. I personally know that’s a lot harder to achieve than merely saying so. But we need to find methods that don’t alter ourselves physically to the point of destruction. Let’s put that money to use in other ways. Take those thousands you’ve saved for the perfect butt, and give them to a charity, or go to South America for a couple of weeks to volunteer – I assure you, you will feel just as good about yourself if not better for doing so.
i agree completely
Eating healthy, and exercing can create an outstanding body, cosmetic surgery can only create an illusion of achieving the same features.
i am actually doing a report on why not t get coametic surgery. i used some of this material. thanks
(i cited of couse)
Wrong assumptions & wrong conclusions:
-what is needful for an individual
-perhaps self esteem is more important for others if not you. In spite of all the non-materialism in you writing, yes luxury cars are fun, and yes money is a fundamental part of happiness for a majority of us. You can mention the ascetic and discount money’s influence on happiness, but that just shows you ignore the overwhelming majority of us who feel happier going to a movie rather than sitting in isolation & meditating (tried it, it does not work for me). Hence, it is no surprise that so many find comfort and happiness from cosmetic surgery. It is part of the human success story that we can finally augment where the individual thinks nature fails him/her (yes, nature fails in many instances: talk to doctors)
-it is a pain in the neck. Africans would get the same surgery if they had the means (and those who have access do)
-that natural/nature is a good thing by default
-we remove tonsils, wisdom teeth, shave/wax, apply makeup, etc. Nature too often needs help.
-false analogy that if you stop cosmetic surgery it might help a starving child
-nonsense. How an individual chooses to dispose of his income is not up for moral discussions. It is a simple economics problem, and, fortunately, non of your business. It may be great that they choose charity, but it is no less worthy if they choose otherwise.
*In closing, I say all this as an individual of third world roots. False moral indignation does not help any of us — neither the poor nor the rich. You say, “Take Africa, for example,” and, without being too presumptuous, aren’t you extrapolating from three month’s of residence to a complete understanding of the social dynamics? By the way, Africa? After three months there I’m sure you can be a bit more specific (53 countries)?
this is wonderful! I am giving a speeech in ky soon and this is exactly what im trying to get out to the world