Every Friday throughout this school year you will use this blog for reading and responding to a variety of topics. Here is post number one. Read the following article, think about it, and post your response to it. Responses should be around 300 words. Remember, this is a public access website so while your response should honest, you need to keep your audience in mind at all times. Enjoy!
Reboot
mode
By Aarthi Raghunathan
The
Week magazine.
Story Dated: Saturday, August 11,
2012 10:27 hrs IST
Neha is 21 and has a BMI of 22. She
was among the few selected to the Indian Air Force batch of women pilots in
2010. The dream job came easy, but she faced two strange problems—the helmets
used while flying the fighter planes were loose for her head. The trainer
somehow managed with additional padding for the helmet. The bigger problem was
that she could not fit into the pilot's seat and, hence, was left behind with
an on-ground job. Her hips were too large for the seat. Without wasting time,
she got herself contoured to fit in. Today, she has joined her flying pals with
ease and pride.
Air hostess and model Harshita, 23, always feared experimenting with her face or body but there was something about her facial features that she disliked. After a cosmetic correction, people close to her see a big change, but what is it? “I just got some minor corrections done on my face!'' says Harshita. Last October, she went under the scalpel to get a sharper nose and also got her chin augmented to get a long face. “I was never for it initially but agreed after discussing with the doctor. Now I am glad I did it for it has not only changed the way I look but also made me feel confident on the job," she says.
Surprisingly, it is not just air hostesses, actors, models and college students who indulge in such cosmetic corrections. The trend is fast catching up among both the young and the middle-aged—married and unmarried.
There are many from the non-glamour fields and smaller cities as well, says Dr Gunasekar Vuppalapati, consultant aesthetic plastic surgeon and medical director, GVG Aesthetic Health Centre Bangalore. He has his hands full with cases of software engineers, lawyers and businesspersons. The advanced surgeries cost anywhere between 020,000 and 08 lakh depending on the body part to be corrected and the number of corrections required or requested.
Vuppalapati recalls the case of a 25-year-old software engineer who came in for breast and arms reduction last month and then for body sculpting with vaser liposuction. She was awake through the surgery performed under local anaesthesia that lasted four and a half hours. She stepped out of the OT and walked to her bed. “I thought she will complain of pain but she only complained of hunger and asked for a mirror,” says Vuppalapati. “We gave her mango shake and then took her close to the mirror. She smiled in relief saying, 'I was not suffering from any pain, just low self-confidence. Now I have it back'.”
A businesswoman and mother of two at 35 had consulted the doctor in November 2008 after five unsuccessful surgeries to correct some facial deformities. “Today, after three-four procedures again, I finally feel confident, good and normal as anybody else I work or deal with. I have completely forgotten about my deformity," she says in a voice testimonial left behind for her doctor who made it possible.
Women are outspoken about the cosmetic change and tolerate pain better. Men, too, are opting for cosmetic surgeries; gynaecomastia for flatter, firmer chests and high definition body sculpting for six-pack abs are a rage now. But they seem to prefer to keep it under wraps. There are engineers who opt for rhinoplasty to look presentable on the job and keep the nose job a secret, says Dr Rohit Krishna, consultant cosmetic and plastic surgeon at Max Hospital, Gurgaon. “At least 60 per cent of the people who come for cosmetic corrections do so for career prospects,” says Krishna. “I also find it common among those who come to cities from smaller town for work. They feel insecure about how they look and that affects their confidence. The age group is mainly 20 to 30 years. As far as surgery is concerned, Vaser liposuction is becoming very popular and is the latest in ultrasound liposuction technique.”
And nothing can stop those who wish to enhance their looks, not even age. Bangalore-based lawyer Neelam, who is married for 25 years, spent over 02 lakh on two quick surgeries recently, to look "complete" when she looks at herself in the mirror, and feel "confident" when she meets her clients. First, she went in for breast augmentation. Months later she braved a lower abdomen liposuction. A part of the 'ugly' fat from her tummy was transferred to her face for a correction. It was painful. At times, it was unbearable. But she braved it all for a career boost. She refrains from revealing her full name and identity fearing that it might trigger unwanted criticism in her family. “At this age, I didn't do it to attract other men. I just wanted to look good and presentable. My job demands it, especially when you feel you are not young and energetic anymore. When people look at you, it's the personality that adds to the impression,” she says. “Now I look good and it feels good to look different. It's made me more confident at work. I feel like I have made another fresh start after so many years."
Sometimes it's just the smile that matters on the job. And people are spending over a lakh for just a smile makeover. The dental spas are proof enough. “You are never fully dressed for a job without a smile. Smile makeovers and bleaching teeth are becoming a regular makeover affair just like getting the hair or eyebrows done," says Dr Aqeel Reshamvala of the Smiles Ahead dental clinic in Navi Mumbai.
He had a client with low confidence levels after three years of unsuccessful job hunt. “He had a missing tooth since childhood and was conscious about it every time he smiled. During one of his interviews, the recruiters even asked him bluntly to look up and smile," says Reshamvala. "We gave him a quick smile makeover based on his skin tone, lips and colour of eyes and hair. He visited us again last week with sweets, a wide smile and a lot of confidence as he finally got a salesperson job at a car showroom."
Air hostess and model Harshita, 23, always feared experimenting with her face or body but there was something about her facial features that she disliked. After a cosmetic correction, people close to her see a big change, but what is it? “I just got some minor corrections done on my face!'' says Harshita. Last October, she went under the scalpel to get a sharper nose and also got her chin augmented to get a long face. “I was never for it initially but agreed after discussing with the doctor. Now I am glad I did it for it has not only changed the way I look but also made me feel confident on the job," she says.
Surprisingly, it is not just air hostesses, actors, models and college students who indulge in such cosmetic corrections. The trend is fast catching up among both the young and the middle-aged—married and unmarried.
There are many from the non-glamour fields and smaller cities as well, says Dr Gunasekar Vuppalapati, consultant aesthetic plastic surgeon and medical director, GVG Aesthetic Health Centre Bangalore. He has his hands full with cases of software engineers, lawyers and businesspersons. The advanced surgeries cost anywhere between 020,000 and 08 lakh depending on the body part to be corrected and the number of corrections required or requested.
Vuppalapati recalls the case of a 25-year-old software engineer who came in for breast and arms reduction last month and then for body sculpting with vaser liposuction. She was awake through the surgery performed under local anaesthesia that lasted four and a half hours. She stepped out of the OT and walked to her bed. “I thought she will complain of pain but she only complained of hunger and asked for a mirror,” says Vuppalapati. “We gave her mango shake and then took her close to the mirror. She smiled in relief saying, 'I was not suffering from any pain, just low self-confidence. Now I have it back'.”
A businesswoman and mother of two at 35 had consulted the doctor in November 2008 after five unsuccessful surgeries to correct some facial deformities. “Today, after three-four procedures again, I finally feel confident, good and normal as anybody else I work or deal with. I have completely forgotten about my deformity," she says in a voice testimonial left behind for her doctor who made it possible.
Women are outspoken about the cosmetic change and tolerate pain better. Men, too, are opting for cosmetic surgeries; gynaecomastia for flatter, firmer chests and high definition body sculpting for six-pack abs are a rage now. But they seem to prefer to keep it under wraps. There are engineers who opt for rhinoplasty to look presentable on the job and keep the nose job a secret, says Dr Rohit Krishna, consultant cosmetic and plastic surgeon at Max Hospital, Gurgaon. “At least 60 per cent of the people who come for cosmetic corrections do so for career prospects,” says Krishna. “I also find it common among those who come to cities from smaller town for work. They feel insecure about how they look and that affects their confidence. The age group is mainly 20 to 30 years. As far as surgery is concerned, Vaser liposuction is becoming very popular and is the latest in ultrasound liposuction technique.”
And nothing can stop those who wish to enhance their looks, not even age. Bangalore-based lawyer Neelam, who is married for 25 years, spent over 02 lakh on two quick surgeries recently, to look "complete" when she looks at herself in the mirror, and feel "confident" when she meets her clients. First, she went in for breast augmentation. Months later she braved a lower abdomen liposuction. A part of the 'ugly' fat from her tummy was transferred to her face for a correction. It was painful. At times, it was unbearable. But she braved it all for a career boost. She refrains from revealing her full name and identity fearing that it might trigger unwanted criticism in her family. “At this age, I didn't do it to attract other men. I just wanted to look good and presentable. My job demands it, especially when you feel you are not young and energetic anymore. When people look at you, it's the personality that adds to the impression,” she says. “Now I look good and it feels good to look different. It's made me more confident at work. I feel like I have made another fresh start after so many years."
Sometimes it's just the smile that matters on the job. And people are spending over a lakh for just a smile makeover. The dental spas are proof enough. “You are never fully dressed for a job without a smile. Smile makeovers and bleaching teeth are becoming a regular makeover affair just like getting the hair or eyebrows done," says Dr Aqeel Reshamvala of the Smiles Ahead dental clinic in Navi Mumbai.
He had a client with low confidence levels after three years of unsuccessful job hunt. “He had a missing tooth since childhood and was conscious about it every time he smiled. During one of his interviews, the recruiters even asked him bluntly to look up and smile," says Reshamvala. "We gave him a quick smile makeover based on his skin tone, lips and colour of eyes and hair. He visited us again last week with sweets, a wide smile and a lot of confidence as he finally got a salesperson job at a car showroom."
The other side
Increasing cosmetic surgeries and demands apart, there are experts like Dr Shrirang Purohit who refuse to do surgery when it is solely to increase job prospects. “I do not think that this [job prospect] is a medical indication for surgery but I do keep getting requests from patients, more so from the non-glamour fields, to improve the way they look,” says Purohit, consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Mumbai. “I do not encourage patients to undergo the surgical procedure. It is very risky and prone to problems if the surgery that is done does not ensure them the job or career growth they aspire for. Except for the glamour industry, there is no correlation between surgery and better job prospects. I do not do any surgery for increasing job prospects."
Increasing cosmetic surgeries and demands apart, there are experts like Dr Shrirang Purohit who refuse to do surgery when it is solely to increase job prospects. “I do not think that this [job prospect] is a medical indication for surgery but I do keep getting requests from patients, more so from the non-glamour fields, to improve the way they look,” says Purohit, consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Mumbai. “I do not encourage patients to undergo the surgical procedure. It is very risky and prone to problems if the surgery that is done does not ensure them the job or career growth they aspire for. Except for the glamour industry, there is no correlation between surgery and better job prospects. I do not do any surgery for increasing job prospects."
test comment
ReplyDeletethe idea of having surgery done to boost your confidence is fine only if you are willing to go through the risk of knowing that it might not work out! personally i support surgery 80% because it has lowered the death rates due to low self esteem and it also helps most people feel god about themselves. the down side to all of this is the risk of something going wrong during or after surgery that might damage a persons life even more than it already was.
ReplyDeleteThere are only a few times when I think someone should have plastic surgery done. When someone is born with a serious deformity (like 11 fingers or webbed fingers for example) the only other reason I can see is if someone is in an accident and has to have plastic surgery to fix an injury (like if someone has half their face burned off). Only when it is unnatural or an accident.
ReplyDeletePretty much all of the circumstances above are not what I would call “good reasons” to have plastic surgery. Many of the people in the examples just seemed insecure about themselves. So many times their reason is that they aren’t confident, but why is that? They blame their lack of confidence on their “deformed” looks, but it is all in their head. First impressions are made mainly by judging how people look, but no matter what the first impression is when you actually get to know a person the impression that you got from their appearance disappears and from then on all you can see is their personality, and you start to see them for who they are instead of what they look like. Beauty is fully on the inside, but if someone starts to let their “ugly” looks make them depressed they start to be an ugly person on the inside too. So many people become insecure with themselves and that is when they feel that they need to ‘fix’ themselves, when they are already perfect. Why can’t everyone just embrace who they are and feel confident with how they look? “For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Plastic Surgery, like most surgeries is very serious, but in recent years it has become quiet common.The people opting for plastic Surgery, have right to feel good about themselves, even if it does mean they'll have to pay a couple thousand bucks for it. But I don't however,think, that plastic surgery will fix all their problems. As "low self esteem" is not something you can fix physically, but mentally. An example is Princess Diana, she was said to have had low self esteem. Especially when it came to her body, but for people on the outside, it looked like she had it all.
ReplyDeleteTo sum it all up, If the surgeries really do help people feel better about themselves, even if it is just helping them have a perfect smile, then I do not have any objection. Though I'd prefer they look for the root of their insecurities, before they change their bodies in ways that may be irreversible.
Plastic surgery. This topic can have so many sides to it. From agreeing with it, to disagreeing, to getting religious about it, or to simply thinking that it's crazy to want to change the body you were born with. The reason why most people undergo the knife is mainly because of insecurities which must be overcome even before considering plastic surgery. In most cases, patients aren't satisfied with the outcome of their surgeries causing them to undergo the process numerous times until they feel their bodies or faces have been sculpted the way they believe is beautiful.Throughout this process, a massive amount of mone is used up. What people don't realize is that everyone has their own definition of beauty. Changing your smile, or having a breast augmentation/reduction doesn't mean that everyone will believe that you are beautiful or that you can be "eligible" for a job. As a matter of fact, some will prefer you without any changes. On the other hand, some undergo the knife to feel confident about themselves and the way they look. Personally, I dont believe that this is wrong unless one is making major changes such as having a completely different nose. If it is just to get rid of excess skin after major weight loss, only then would it make sense. No one would want to live with that extra skin after losing so much weight. As a whole, the way I see it, you should feel comfortable in your own skin and try to find a way to feel comfortable if you aren't. Plastic surgery should be the LAST thing you should consider if you still haven't found the reason why you feel you don't look the way you want to look.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it, you are unique the way you were made and you need to accept that instead of wanting to change something so precious to look like everyone else.
DeleteJennifer, I like the way you referenced the previous replies in your response. You bring up some interesting points: can we count cosmetic dentistry or orthodontia as "corrective plastic surgery"? What about Lasik? I have a friend whose father, a physician, gave her a breast reduction for a high school graduation present: she was so well endowed that she was having major back issues at 17 years old. Does this count as cosmetic or necessary?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhy do our looks matter so much nowadays? Why does a person’s size or her features matter? Why has the world developed in a way that even the smartest and most suitable woman for the job will lose her position to a more fit and slim one just because of her size? Is that what is really important? Is discouraging someone based on how they look and restricting their ability to make a living really our goal in today’s world? Lets say a woman is feeling discouraged in searching for another job opening because she fears of losing the position due to her body shape. She begins to gym regularly, eat healthier, and cut down on certain foods in hopes of slimming down her body shape and getting the position she applies for. After seven weeks there still seems to be no change in the way she looks. She begins to feel conscious about herself and the way she looks which restricts her from applying to more jobs. She turns to plastic surgery knowing that this time she will definitely look different.
ReplyDeletePlastic surgery has become remarkably common among the young and middle-aged as well as those with little self-confidence and esteem. Although each person may have his or her own personal reasons for doing so, it is necessary to understand that not everyone is created equal. We’re all different sizes and heights and we all have different features and characteristics, therefore we should all feel comfortable with our looks and bodies. If not, then there are other possibilities to turn to such as exercising and being careful with what you eat. However, why is it that we all still tend to compare our looks and body figures with each other? Is being the skinniest or prettiest a competition? Although people in the world today face many challenges with their physical appearance in society, they must understand that feeling confident in their own body is important. I personally believe that turning to plastic surgery to gain a position in a job is not the sole and most acceptable solution as it may also have its risks.
Farah,
DeleteYou focus heavily on females and their desire to either be more competitive in the job market or to improve looks. When looking particularly at young teens (middle school ages), many American girls and boys are opting for liposuction to save their lives from morbid obesity. But you are correct - changing diet, getting exercise is a much healthier solution and tends to last longer. I think the repeat obesity in those who have had surgery to correct the condition is something like more than 50%. We do need to learn to control the cause, not just band-aid the problem.
Plastic surgery, the process of reconstructing or repairing parts of the body, for one is a very risky surgery. In my opinion its a waste of resources and should only be used for important reasons. Plastic surgery was originally used to minimize disfigurement from accidents or defects. Why put your self at risk just to make yourself look better? People should learn to accept their appearances. God has created every individual differently and that’s what makes everyone unique.
ReplyDeleteThere are millions of people suffering from all kinds of illnesses and people are complaining about why their noses are way too big or why their breasts are to small. What is the purpose of breast augmentation? Plastic surgery is a difficult surgery performed by professionals. And on top of that, these surgeries are madly expensive. If people all over the world start getting plastic surgery, won’t beauty become more of a competition?
Plastic surgery if I was to decide should only be used for individuals who have encountered major deformities and accidents. Nobody is perfect, therefore plastic surgery shouldn’t be used unless absolutely necessary. An example would be if someone were to be in a bad fire and burn his/her face to the point where it’s not recognizable. A persons figure shouldn’t determine whether he/she should be loved, it’s a lot more than that. The problem with people who want plastic surgery is that they don’t appreciate what they have. If only they focused on what they had rather than what they needed to perfect their bodies, there wouldn’t be any unnecessary treatments today.
You are all so young. You are focusing much on "gaining beauty" and therefore self-confidence. You have all overlooked a very large cosmetic surgery group: the aging. Face lifts, breast lifts, brow lifts, bo-tox, all in an effort to hold on to a young look for a long as possible. What do you think of ageism? Much like the jobs that go to the pretty people, many highly competent adults over "a certain age" find themselves pushed out because they no longer have the glow of youth.
DeleteMany of you mention losing jobs and say the reasons for resorting to surgery should be the correction of major problems, not strictly cosmetic. What about just keeping a job, and therefore supporting yourself or your family? To what extent would you go then?
Does this idea change any views? Interesting debate.
Plastic surgery is part of the customs nowadays. Having a plastic surgery is like having a piercing or even a tattoo. Why should we change the way we are just to be like those perfect models? Even though plastic surgery (reconstructive surgery) began century ago by Indians, it was commonly used on soldiers suffering from accidents or disfiguring injuries. The reason why people do plastic surgery completly changed.
ReplyDeleteI think the major problem is that, we (new generations) have different role models than our parents. Our parents used to admire lawyers, doctors or even politicians. Nowadays, we only dream about being a famous star or just having the same shirt that this singer wore for the MTV music award. I read in an french article this summer a psychologist saying that: "the new generation cogitate more on what they are going to wear tomorrow than their futur" and it is true.
All that just to say that appearance is something really important now, and it even became a huge business for certain countries. We can't change the way we are just to find a job or to feel better.. Things are going too far.
Soon will we be able to choose our baby color hair or eyes? If we keep giving excuses for plastic surgery, well maybe one day we will.
Maelle,
DeleteInteresting about the role models changing. Also, am I correct in thinking that genetically engineered children is a possibility now (at least in labs). We successfully cloned over 20 years ago.Would it be safe to assume that you believe that science has moral bounds they should not cross? If so, whose morals decide exactly how far we should go?
I’m not the type of person who believes there is a need to change what you were born with. If someone gets into a bad accident and their face is no longer in proportion they have a good reason to turn to plastic surgery but, I feel like society has changed and these days, people just want to get surgery done for all the wrong reasons. I often watch TV channels based surgeons and how they perform surgery, of any sort, on their patients. I recall watching Dr.90210, and this middle aged man came in with a completely blown off face. He had gotten into a motorcycle accident, which distorted his whole face. If one is stuck in that sort of a situation, I could comprehend to the fact that they are in desperate need of doing something, to regain some sort of self-esteem. Twenty-one year old Neha had a legitimate reason for getting surgery. Whereas 23-year-old Harshita said “I just got some minor corrections done on my face!” If it was a “minor” adjustment there shouldn’t have been anything wrong with her face from the start, don’t you think? I don’t agree with her theory of getting surgery. Plus, when people have kids, their true colors and looks reflect on their child. So if they are not satisfied with their oversized nose or speed bump chests, are they not going to be satisfied with the outcome of their kids?
ReplyDelete“Men, too, are opting for cosmetic surgeries; gynaecomastia for flatter, firmer chests and high definition body sculpting for six-pack abs are a rage now.” You men are just being L-A-Z-Y! I have a friend who lost 20 pounds in one year. I asked him how he did it, and he said “Willpower.” Imagine that. Don’t go craving for burgers and fries if you want to lose weight. Eat healthy and BE healthy! If someone is overweight, they need to get off their lazy butt, stop living a sedentary/potato couch lifestyle, and hit the gym! People need to just be happy with what they have and live with it. Personality is what counts.
Interesting point about the heredity issue, but more and more young adults are opting not to have children. In this case, if they are not passing down their genes, is it okay to make changes?
DeletePlastic surgery is not something that I would encourage, but I do not see the problem with it. Some people in this world have a high self-esteem and some a low.And I don't see any reason for changing your looks in order to feel better. I don't think it's up to us to decide plastic surgery is good for someone or not rather it is the individuals decision itself.
ReplyDeleteIt shows how far science has reached. Science has reached so far that we can give the needed a new face. In the 21st century we all talk about job opportunities and merit based selections when of for an interview, but the bitter truth is that they too select a lot of times on the base of looks. This can be seen very well in India itself. An example of glamour based discrimination can be very seen in Bollywood, where even the worst actresses become the successful ones just based on glamour. A lot people talk about plastic surgery, nose-jobs, boob-jobs all being risky, but we have to consider the fact the science has advanced a lot. In the field of medicine none of the doctors ever give surety we never get 100% results, rather we try approaching it. If a person has decided for plastic surgery they probably have considered its pros and cons, therefore we shouldn't be judgmental.
Saying that plastic surgery is bad, harmful and contradictory to the social norms is just an opinion. Everyone has their own opinion and if someone wants to fit in, look better then I don't see why plastic surgery is a bad thing. It's how the world is now, medicine has advanced so much that we can alter genes. I actually find it fascinating.
Your point about Bollywood, I believe, covers most the far east as I've experienced it. Singapore, China, Taiwan, Korea and India (but slightly less so), all seem to hire public faces (the lower level employees of companies that make direct contact with the public) beautiful young people (mostly women) and when they show the first signs of middle age, they are let go. if you thought it could help you keep your job, wouldn't you consider it?
DeleteLike you, I do find what science is able to do quite fascinating. Personally, I lost a front tooth a few years ago (from blunt force trauma) and I am extremely grateful I live in a time when the dentist could simply replace it with an implant.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePlastic Surgery. As asian, I have seen a lot of my friends and relatives having a "double eyelid surgery", which is the most famous plastic surgery in asia, that basically makes their eyes look bigger. The reason for them doing so is simple- because it makes them more beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree to the idea that plastic surgery can provide people self-confidence. Whether the people want cosmetic correction for their careers or their personal reason, if it can give them benefits in some way, we cannot say that is bad. For example, say there is a girl who does not like her facial feature. Yes, everyone has their own beauty and we should value people's inner beauty but what if she, personally, does not like it? She would lose self-confidence, act passively and it would also affect her social ability too. If plastic surgery can offer solution and by doing so if she gains self-confidence, plastic surgery can be considered not only reforming her physical features but also her minds too. Today, some people in Korea are offering their parents for plastic surgery for aging. By having a bo-tox or face lifting, if people feel like they have regained the beauty that flowed through the age, what's a real problem about that?
Although people say that the real thing that should be valued is inner beauty rather than outer looks and that the personality is what should be concerned, looking at reality, in a World where outer beauty is valued in different career fields and appreciated by others and society, people all want to look beautiful and better.
Real problem arrives when people start to have plastic surgery excessively when they do not need one. People must be aware that plastic surgery is very risky, can cause side-effects and that it is not a solution to every problems.
Yeun Ji, I agree with your take being very Asian. My own experience is that most Asians will do whatever they need to do with medicine, technology, or what have you in a very logical mindset. They seem more able to separate the personal/moral from the public/business side of things.
DeleteIt’s very difficult to make a judgment but I disagree with the fact that plastic surgeries increase confidence level and make you feel good about yourself. Who says that? Only those people who've actually got one or are planning on getting one. You should feel good about the way you've been born or the way you are. Appearances aren't the only thing which will help you get a job or change the way people think about you. The major issue that always comes up is that "plastic surgeries" boost up your self-esteem and decreases your insecurities. At some point i do agree with that but why change the way god has made you? Criticism is a part of life and by having confidence in yourself and not your physical features you can obviously increases your chances to success. Every human is unique in their own way and god has made them the way they are for a specific reason I believe. Like someone said above that a smile can change the way people think about you. This isn’t really a physical problem it’s just how you view it and how it affects your life or mentality. My opinion on this whole thing is that we can’t always give “confidence, self-esteems, jobs and insecurities “as an excuse to change our physical appearance.
ReplyDeleteFalak,
DeleteYou are right on with your point about confidence being connected to the way people look at us. Psychologists have proven over and over again that pretty people, both women and men, are treated better, get higher grades and higher ranking jobs than their more ordinary looking or ugly fellow creatures. Confidence maybe should come from within but the way we are treated does matter in forming this self esteem.
Plastic surgery is not something that I would encourage, but I do not see the problem with it. Some people in this world have a high self-esteem and some a low.And I don't see any problem in changing your looks in order to feel better. I don't think it's up to us to decide plastic surgery is good for someone or not rather the one's own personal decision.
ReplyDeleteIt shows how far science has reached. Science has reached so far that we can give the needed a new face. In the 21st century we all talk about job opportunities and merit based selections when of for an interview, but the bitter truth is that they too select a lot of times on the basis of looks. This can be seen very well in India itself. An example of glamour based discrimination can be very well seen in Bollywood, where even the worst actresses become the most successful ones just based on glamour. A lot of people talk about plastic surgery, nose-jobs, boob-jobs all being risky, but we have to consider the fact the science has advanced a lot. In the field of medicine none of the doctors ever give surety. We never get 100% results, rather we try approaching it. If a person has decided for plastic surgery they probably have considered its pros and cons, therefore we shouldn't be judgmental.
Saying that plastic surgery is bad, harmful and contradictory to the social norms is just an opinion. Everyone has their own opinion and if someone wants to fit in, look better then I don't see why plastic surgery is a bad thing. It's how the world is now, medicine has advanced so much that we can alter genes. I actually find it fascinating.
The 21th century has brought remarkable changes that have caused both positive and negative things. We’ve moved and progressed in all our fields from art to science, technology to entertainment, in sports, news there’s nothing left! Technology has touched each and every aspect of human life. Its supposed to make our lives easier and yeah I agree it is but, is our technology safe and how is it affecting us.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that has changed over time besides technology is FASHION, our glamorous world. Wahoo...Dramatic changes, I guess people are more into fashion and how they look, and what they wear than what’s going on around in the world. Their not interested at all, all they care about is weather their in perfect shape, they have perfect hair, perfect lips, perfect skin, perfect everything considering their beauty and the way they look and what they wear. Why? Why is it so important for us to look beautiful and dress that way? Demand for cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery has increased and is increasing day by day. It’s not just the aged people who undergo such surgeries but also the middle aged and teens. People spend a lot I mean a lot of money on it. Why? Why not stay the same way god created you? Why pointlessly mess around and change things. Surgeries don’t always work their painful, dangerous and very risky and sometimes, if not done in a proper manner one can face a lot of problem. One mistake and it’s the end. Surgery is surgery it can go wrong; you can’t be a hundred percent sure weather it’s going to work. Okay I agree if you meet with an accident and it ruined your face or damaged your skin surgery is totally fine you can get a plastic surgery done. Just to boost up your self-esteem you want to get a plastic surgery done then, its wrong. As the quote goes “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder”.
Karima,
ReplyDeleteYou tie all of this "new vanity" to the 21st century and make me think of the late 1800's (no, I was not alive then) when women, for the sake of fashion would have ribs surgically removed in order to have smaller waists when they laced up their corsets. I have no idea how many died from this procedure, but it was a reality far before any sort of surgery was considered "normal".
What about the ancient Chinese habit of binding feet? or tatooing - south pacific islander have been doing this decoration for centuries. HMMM. all for beauty...
Plastic Surgery. According to the doctors it is just an augmentation or reduction of a part of your skin, but nowadays people have just started abusing to make them look young, beautiful, or most of all sexy. But nowadays the number one listed plastic surgery that most people want to have is a breast augmentation because they are not grateful of what they have, and they think that it is not enough. Sometimes people get plastic surgeries because they have a low self esteem towards themselves, and they think that by surgery getting a facial, nor upper or lower plastic surgery will make them look like they have always wanted to look like, but I totally disagree with that reason because a normal human being needs to feel comfortable just the way he or she looks like. For other people who think that by getting a plastic surgery will make them look like they favorite celebrity or role model then they are thinking badly because you will always be you even if you try as hard as you can. Some others just get a plastic surgery just to fit into a social group, or to just impress other people, or to just be loved by others, and I don’t think that it good reason because people need to enjoy being around or even love you just the way you are.
ReplyDeleteThere are some good reasons to do plastic surgery, but today people are exaggerating just because they want to look good or should I say “perfect”. Why would you like to change your appearance? Why would you like to change what God gives you? I just don’t get why people are obsessed about it. You don’t need to be skinny or what to be confident; you just need to believe in yourself no matter how you look or how you think people see you. I can’t judge people but I think all those reasons are just excuses. There are very risky surgeries and they don’t work every time. I think personally, people who really need surgery are the one born with deformities or people who had accidents and need them to change the face or to take off the burnt part. For someone to feel confident; you don’t need to get a surgery. If you feel that you are fat, hit the gym everyday and eat healthier. Many people do surgery because it’s a trend nowadays. Just because my friend did that doesn’t mean that I have to do it too. Surgeries are not always good for you; they can also have bad sides. Confidence is the key of success; believe in yourself no matter how you look.
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