The Increasing Number of High School Students Getting Plastic - Essay Example

The Increasing Number of High School Getting Plastic Surgery Since the development of plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes, the demand for the procedure has been constantly growing. As techniques of performing it grew, from simple repairs of body parts to being able to have a complete change of appearance, more and more people joined the growing demand for the procedure. In the United States of America, a total of 10.2 million cosmetic procedures were done in 2005 (Donohoe par. 5). This was valued to be 11% more that the previous year and 38% more compared to the year 2000. An estimated 40% of those undergoing cosmetic procedures were repeating, while those who checked in for multiple procedures were 38% (Donohoe par. 5). As the demand and obsession for the procedure increases, a curious group of people have not been left out. Teenagers have been reported to have an increased obsession for the procedure over the recent past. A research at the American Society for Aesthetic Surgery call reported to have counted 209,000 procedures for those 18 and below in 2005 (Collins par. 4). Compared to findings by America Association of Surgeons in 2010, that showed that 219,000 procedures were carried out on those 18 and below, this showed an increase in demand for the procedures yet the number keeps growing yearly. These procedures are fast becoming a trend that experts believe that even though in some cases they are necessary, in others the motives are questionable as they cannot repair underlying issues (Collins par. 6). According to Collins (par. 7), some of the most common procedures among teenagers include nose reshaping, fixing protruding ears, male breast reduction, and liposuction breast augmentation. Though these are the most common, there are other also that teenagers preferred though not common, they include laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels and dermabrasions. Though it is legal wrong for some of these procedures to be done on people under the age of 18 years, they are still performed breast augmentation. Obsession of the underlying issue is not just common in the United States, but in other parts of the world as well. In Asia it is common in countries such as South Korea. According to a report by International Society for Aesthetics Plastic Surgeons, one out of every five women in South Korea has undergone a cosmetic procedure. The teenagers are not spared as they are part of this statistics. Here the most common procedure is the double eyelids also called the blepharoplasty. This procedure is aimed at creating a double fold on the skin on the eye lid, something visible only when eyes are open. Statistics has it that approximately 50% of the population in East Asia is naturally born with it (Stone par. 6-7). In the past the obsession of plastic surgery was a thing common with those in there 20s especially women, but that has changed as up to 41.4% of teenagers confessed they would consider taking plastic surgery. Compared with other age brackets, it is stunning to note that these figures are almost 10% higher than those in their 20s, 20% higher than those in their 30s and almost 30% higher than those in their 40s.Among teenagers, the high school students were the main clients, but recently that is changing as there is an increased number of middle school students aged between 15 and 16 that have been visiting(Recca par. 1). As stated by Yoon (par. 5), the trend to have a cosmetic procedure among teenagers is also gaining popularity in North Korea as well. Though restricted by the law and still very minor, certain procedures such as double eye lids and semi permanent make up or tattoos found on the eye lids or lips are becoming common. Though some of these statistics are shocking, what could be the reason behind all this sudden obsessive trend among the younger ones? Every one is deemed to have there own motivating factor towards such actions, and according to Stone (par. 11), one of the reasons teenagers go for the procedure is to look prettier, besides such procedures are seen to be at par with beauty treatments as opposed to surgery. It is something common with humanity to want to be beautiful and in North Korea; girls who were not born with the natural double eye lids feel that the surgical procedure to correct this is there magical chance to look prettier (Yoon par. 11). Self esteem could also be a major contributor towards this desire by teenagers to have such procedures done on them. As stated by Recca (par. 2), beauty in South Korea gains popularity and hence better self esteem. When Lee, a female high school student felt she was not confident with her looks because her small eyes were the cause of her low self esteem, she considered surgery. She even went to and extent of trying to convince her mom into it, who gave a deal of doing well in her exams for a surgery in exchange. She now feels more confident after having a double eye lid surgery. The cosmetic surgery trend also gains major boosts from idol groups that are popular. The girl group LGP confessed that all their members went through 27 surgical procedures in total. Music by such groups also go along way; the song ugly by the group 2NE1 went top of the chat when it was released in South Korea. The song is themed on social awkwardness, bodily awareness and insecurity and this identifies greatly with South Korean culture where a child is brought up to be outstanding both in beauty and in studies. The lyrics of the song speak about someone who thinks they are ugly and rejected, and so they want to be as pretty as another girl, they identify with (stone par. 1-2). Another source of influence are the parents, they have a greater power to determine whether or not there children get the procedures done. As stated by Yoon (p4), Kim a 15 year old got a double eyelid surgery done on her after a suggestion from her mother. The mother said she needed to be confident when she went to high school and this prompted the surgery. According to research findings, one out of four parents was of the suggestion that their teenage child go for surgery. Some parents would also use plastic surgery as gift for Christmas or Graduation. Other motivating factors include mass media, internet, trauma from birth defects, and bullying (Collins par. 1-23). All forms of surgery have risks and so is cosmetic surgery, these risks are worth considering before opting for surgery. The procedure itself is a risk and so is the anesthesia. Other major risks include scarring, infections, excess or unexpected bleeding, necrosis, paralysis, unhealthy personal habits, need for secondary surgery, psychological and social risks among others (MSN par. 1-10). Expert’s advice that due to the immaturity, continuity in growth and unrealistic expectations from surgery, doctors parents and teenagers must take careful considerations of the grey areas before proceeding with the procedures. If a teenager wants to fix amajor bump on the nose because it hinders breathing, that sounds reasonable but if it is for cosmetic purposes just because a child does not like the bump it becomes a gray area, the surgery could make them happy but it can’t improve the quality of life. When it comes to kids and teenagers, it is a problem because they are not capable of making such decisions on their own. When making such decisions, a doctor should carefully consult with the parents, the child and then finally use their judgment to determine whether it is for a valid cause. This is also to help establish if it is the child initiating the process, and to get a good understanding of the motivations and the expectations. Works Cited Collins M. L. Teens turn to plastic surgery; experts tackle the when and why. March 12, 2013. Web. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865575486/Teens-turn-to-plastic-surgery-experts-tackle-the-when-and-why.html?pg=all Donohoe M. Women’s Health in Context: Cosmetic Surgery Past, Present, and Future: Scope, Ethics, and Policy. 2006. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/542448_2 MSN lifestyle. Top 10 Risks of Cosmetic Surgery. 2014. http://arabia.msn.com/lifestyle/health- fitness/13487/top-risks-cosmetic-surgery/ Recca T. English Channel: More Korean teens having plastic surgery. 2011. Web. http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/recca/home/more-korean-teens-having-plastic-surgery/ Stone Z. The Atlantic, South Korean High Schoolers Get Plastic Surgery for Graduation. 2013. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/06/south-korean-high-schoolers-get-plastic-surgery-for-graduation/277255/ Yoon M. Plastic surgery in North Korea: More common than you’d think. 2013. http://www.nknews.org/2013/10/plastic-surgery-in-n-korea-more-common-than-you-might-think/ Read More