Teenagers and plastic surgery

Think about it. To teenagers, having plastic surgery is now almost the thing to do now. If your ears are too big--surgery. If you have acne--surgery. No boobs--surgery. It is not something that is just for rich kids anymore; Dick and Jane are now doing it too.

If you check out any of the statistics on teenagers who are opting for plastic surgery these days, it will alarm you. Since 1997, the number of teens who are having procedures has risen 228%. But, it is not all major elective surgeries either. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion for acne, ear jobs for those who have extra large ears or ear problems, breast implants for those who never developed or did not develop correctly, all plastic surgery that has something to do with a medical or physical problem.

Don't get me wrong though. There is plenty of elective plastic surgery that teenagers push their parents to pay for that are just because they want bigger boobs or the want the same nose as their favorite actress. Parents, who don't want their child to feel left out or have low self-esteem, are going for it too. A sweet-sixteen gift or graduation gift for their son or daughter, giving them a facial feature that their child feels is better. But why'

Could it be because we put too much value on beauty and the perfect features? Or could it be because plastic surgery is just too commonplace now? Probably both. If you look at any actress these days, there are only a handful that aren't severely underweight and having plastic surgery to look the Hollywood 'norm'; you know, perfect features and perfect hair. The few that are happy with themselves a few pounds overweight sure aren't in the limelight much anymore. What happened to the good 'ole heroines of the '40's and '50's who weren't scared to show off their size 8 (or bigger) bodies? Our teenagers sure could use some of them now.

Yet, look in any phone book in America. How many ads can you count for plastic surgery and that boast about financing options? Far too many, I'm sure. Since plastic surgery is more and more common now, the prices are going down and you can even finance those new boobs that you have been wanting forever. A vast majority of women are opting for lifts, liposuction, peels, and other procedures to make themselves look younger and more attractive as they get older. Oh, but wait, it's not just the women either! The number of men who are having plastic surgery for this or that is growing fast also. So, you can't just blame it on womanly vanity anymore.

So, whether you're a teenager or you have one who is pushing for plastic surgery, think about it before you jump. Make sure that the reasoning is right, and not just because it will look better or get me a better boyfriend or girlfriend. That kind of reasoning is wrong. ...