5 January, 2005

Fake plastic teens

The BBC reports a survey for teen magazine 'Bliss', which found that 40% of teenage girls in the UK (well, 'Bliss' readers, anyway) have considered plastic surgery.  I find that somewhat depressing, not only because it's rarely even necessary (the article is illustrated by a photo of Katie 'Jordan' Price, a once-attractive model now frankly grotesque) but because it reveals the slavish devotion of people to false ideals instilled by the mass-media, no doubt including 'Bliss' magazine to some extent.

It's regretably undeniable that minor surgery on, say, prominent ears might be of benefit to some - a degree of conformity with social norms is difficult to fight. Similarly, I'd fully support someone's choice to undergo corrective surgery on prominent blemishes or disfigurements attracting unwanted attention. My criticism is of mere cosmetic social enhancements.

Think. Who are you trying to impress? If certain people can't see past your cup size, why do they matter to you?

Another BBC article linked from this one reports that 'Bliss' ran a very similar survey a year ago, with broadly similar results. I'm afraid I can't help questioning their motives. Are they to be praised for highlighting a social problem, or blamed for sustaining it? Surveys sell magazines, but does the rest of the content routinely combat poor self-image? Do the articles downplay the plasticised freaks, or glorify them?