Society has always valued beauty.

In literature, attractiveness often symbolizes an admirable

protagonist, while ugliness indicates the abominable antagonist. As children we are taught, without
even realizing it, to prize beauty. People of every race and culture have gone to extremes in the name of
beauty from foot-binding in China, to dangerously constricting corsets in Victorian times, to nose jobs
in 800 B.C. India. While plastic surgery has been around since ancient times, it has only recently become
accepted by the masses.

Television programs that promote plastic surgery I Want a Famous Face on MTV, The Swan on Fox,
Extreme Makeover on ABC, Nip/ Tuck on FX, and Dr. 90210 on E expose the public to a business
once kept under wraps. Reality television embraces the topic due to its shock value however, the
public is becoming more and more accustomed to the idea of plastic surgery.

Not only have these programs created a generation that isnt fazed by images of blood, Botox, or
bandages. Sometime during the process of beautifying average humans, they have implanted something
besides silicone: the belief that cosmetic surgery will improve lives. Now, not only do people accept
plastic surgery, they embrace it as a solution to personal and professional problems. While appearance
has always been important, mainstream acceptance of plastic surgery has created a society that values
appearance over ability.

According to Drs. Iva Sorta-Bilajac and Amir Muzur, rhinoplasty developed in ancient India due to the
practice of nose mutilation as a form of public punishment for immoral conduct. Therefore, the
connection between an unattractive nose and an immoral being was deeply rooted in this society. While
the nose is not a vital organ, it is exposed to everyones view and has become a symbol of integrity as
well as an important aspect of human beauty.

Only a couple of decades ago it was considered taboo to admit having work done, and it was not -
unusual for patients to take extreme measures sneaking into doctors offices through the back door, or
using fake names to hide the fact. As noted in the New York Times article The Doctor Will See You,
and Your Party, Now by Anna Bahney, more patients became interested in procedures after seeing
them on TV and researching them online. Currently, plastic surgery is so commonplace that instead of
scheduling secretive meetings, patients often bring parents, siblings, spouses, or friends to
consultations.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 11.5 million cosmetic surgical and
nonsurgical procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2005. On the website The Medical Tourism Guide,
readers are told, Plastic or cosmetic surgery can help to boost confidence and vitality. In the case of
cosmetic surgery, think of this procedure as an overhaul, much like youd add that new roof or coat of
paint to a car. Some of the appeal lies in the way it is promoted, like statements that market surgery as
a confidence-booster.

Our reality television shows are modern fairy tales. They all use a common formula: take an average,
unhappy individual, alter her appearance, and after a surgical transformation she is magically a success.
While the message is the same, there is one difference: these arent fictional characters, theyre real
people.

The confidence that comes from a new nose, fake breasts, or liposuction is only temporary physically
(many procedures are not permanent and need to be repeated) as well as emotionally. Often, patients
insecurities about their appearance are symptoms of underlying psychological issues, such as
depression, and may be temporarily alleviated by surgery. But this temporary confidence is nothing in
comparison to the confidence one can obtain by excelling in sports, academics, or a hobby. Marketing
cosmetic surgery as a confidence-booster increases profits, but it also gives people unrealistic
expectations. They believe that their life will change and are disappointed when it doesnt.

After undergoing plastic surgery, many people finally feel accepted. By transforming into an ideal
beauty, they earn the approval of others and receive positive attention. Some people even have
coming-out parties. But while plastic surgery may appear to increase confidence, its often an illusion

even to the patients themselves, who might confuse real self-esteem with the joy of feeling as though
others approve of their appearance.

Psychologist David Sarwer believes the acceptance of plastic surgery goes beyond vanity: Weve
become increasingly accepting of ways of changing our bodies. Were much more comfortable with our
bodies as malleable. People have always altered their bodies, mainly through diet or exercise, so its no
surprise that many view themselves as changeable. But what causes someone to want to alter his or her
body? We all seek approval from parents, spouses, children, coworkers, and friends. Even if its a
subconscious desire, everyone wants to be deemed acceptable. Plastic surgery can gain the approval of
others, but why should you care about the opinion of people who dont see you for who you are on the
inside?

Parents often pressure their children to do well academically, but with plastic surgery becoming so
accepted, some parents are pressuring their children to have cosmetic work. Children as young as six are
undergoing minor procedures, and 13-year-olds are having nose jobs. Doctors and parents who support
these surgeries claim that the child understands. However, its more probable that she realizes her
parents want her to change, and is willing to comply.

Some people feel pressured by their spouse to remain youthful or become more attractive. According to
Donna Henderson-King, author of Acceptance of cosmetic surgery: scale development and validation,
many women desire to meet social expectations of beauty. Women are socialized to see themselves as
objects to be looked at, and consequently view themselves from the perspective of others. In this
study, King found that the more shame women felt about not having met socially defined standards of
beauty, the more likely they were to accept cosmetic surgery.

Plastic surgery constantly appears in pop culture. Many celebrities have had cosmetic surgery, and the
American public is constantly exposed to images of these altered humans. In a Mike Williams cartoon,
two women scrutinizing Rembrandts self-portrait say, Youd think that if hed been that successful he
would have had his nose fixed. This is a perfect example of societys belief that attractiveness is a
necessary part of success. Rembrandt is a renowned artist, but the women in the cartoon are not
discussing his artistic ability; theyre critiquing his appearance. Our society blatantly values appearance
over ability.

This acceptance of plastic surgery, as well as the value of appearance over ability, affects youth. From a
young age, children play with toys like Barbie dolls and burly action figures, with bodies that are
physically impossible to achieve. Exposure to these ideals is damaging to the self-esteem of youths.

People have always wanted to look like societys ideal. In the late 19th century, Irish immigrants in New
York got English noses to transform themselves into Americans. The ideal appearance in society is
always based on the appearance of the dominant group.

With so much importance placed on appearance, other attributes often come second. Young people are
learning that they should aim to be beautiful instead of intelligent. Its even a common practice for
parents to reward high school graduates with nose jobs, breast implants, or liposuction. But is cosmetic
surgery an appropriate reward for years of hard work and academic achievement?

In American culture, the mold of an attractive person is getting smaller and less forgiving of any
differences. The assembly-line look ultimately damages the notion of personal identity. We are in
danger of doing something unthinkable, which is making beauty boring, according to Dr. Nancy Etcoff.
In a cartoon by Dave Carpenter, two men tell a stranger, No, were not related. We just have the same
plastic surgeon. This pokes fun at the tendency for plastic surgery patients to appear generic afterward.
However, there is some truth to this. On reality makeover shows, the subjects come out looking eerily
alike.

Cosmetic surgery is no longer limited to the wealthy; banks offer loans for it. As plastic surgery become
more mainstream, its interesting to ponder whether the value of beauty will decrease as it becomes
something that anyone can buy.

Vanity in our culture has increased and become more acceptable. People are more open about their
desire to be attractive, and plastic surgery no longer has a negative connotation. However, America is
also the most medicated nation on earth. Ten percent of our population takes antidepressants. Its
obvious that these surgeries are not really making us happier. Rather, they delay the process of some
individuals seeking the necessary psychological help. Even the young arent immune to depression.
More children than ever are developing eating disorders and poor self-esteem.

Happiness can be achieved, but not through surgery. People need to embrace their differences instead
of trying to erase them. Only when we are at peace with ourselves will we be truly radiant.