Teenage Obsession

Teens all over the world are obsessing over plastic surgery. Most teens are even considering cosmetic procedures because their parents are...Bingo! Adolescents are extremely likely to follow in the footsteps of their parents, and when little girls hear mommy talking about her recent collagen injections, or breast augmentation, they take notice. Also according to Faze Teen, "the media has also done a good job of making people aware of the procedures available. Another reason is acceptability. In a way, plastic surgery has come out of the closet." Plastic surgery is more acceptable now than ever before. Don't get me wrong, it is not a bad thing it is not a bad thing to discuss one's body and its functions, but it is quite another to have the desire to completely change it...and for parents to be okay with that. Technically when children turn eighteen, they no longer need parental consent for procedures and such, but I think that parents should still take a very active interest in their children, and continue to look out for their well being even though they are "of age." 

The media is an obvious outlet to promote and advertise cosmetic surgery. Magazines and movie stars have a tendency of making people feel bad about their bodies and become extremely self critical. Television shows such as Nip Tuck openly and blatantly show that people should be critical of their bodies, and almost promote examining one's self in such a negative light. 

Faze Teen shows a multitude of opinions from young people who are outspoken about the subject: 

"People should just stop caring so much about everybody else’s opinion. Yours is the only one that matters." - Carrie, 17

"If you’re doing it because of what other people think, then it’s wrong." - Mike, 15

"You should be able to do whatever you want to your body, and no one should judge you." - Susan, 16

I think that all of these people make very good points and all are correct in a sense. Why do we care so much about what other people think of us? We should love the bodies that we were given and just accept them for what they are and what they can and can't do. However people, more specifically adolescents, tend to think too much about the opinions of their peers, and therefore want to change themselves to "fit in" or go with a trend. That is where the argument of "you should be able to do whatever you want to your body" comes in. However this argument can be applied to so many other issues, which we will not get into at this time. I am honestly torn between these two points: People should be allowed to do whatever they want to their bodies, if I disagreed with that than that would be hypocritical seeing as I have body piercings, and would consider getting a tattoo...is it the same thing? I honestly don't know if plastic surgery should be classified alongside tattoos and piercings. Surgery is taking things a bit too far, most piercings can be removed and allowed to close up, and tattoos can be lasered or temporary. This is a very difficult subject to form a clear opinion on!