Beauty. It’s only one word, but a word filled with power. For some people beauty is based on characteristics, but for the majority it is based on how pleasant your face appears to be, although most would not admit it. Beauty is probably the most significant in one’s teenage years. It is statistically proven that 90% of teenage girls are insecure about their bodies, about half of that percentage have considered plastic surgery to solve their insecurities. But is plastic surgery really the way to lean to in your developing teenage years? Plastic Surgery can be very advantageous for the teenager who is insecure about their appearance.
But, it may also be very consequential. Plastic surgery comes with many side effects and sometimes even results in the patient being more unhappy. It is said that one’s appearance can be changed but their personality and characteristics will remain pure, so plastic surgery may not solve all of the problems for the patient. I personally believe that teenagers should not be encouraged to partake in any forms of plastic surgery to enhance their appearance. Plastic surgery should be something that is decided when a teenager reaches adulthood, so they will be able to make a mature decision.
Furthermore, another reason that teenagers should not have plastic surgery is because if they are being bullied, having surgery to stop the bullying won’t be standing up for themselves. In source C, the author talks about how plastic surgery doesn’t solve bullying; “A solution to bullying that involves surgical procedures is a terrible message to give both bullies and their victims…. And aren’t we validating the very message behind bullies’ actions, that diversity and variation is bad? ” Most teenagers are leaning towards plastic surgery because they are being bullied.
One of the life skills learned in a student’s educational career is to speak up for themselves. Some may argue that since they have undergone surgery, the students stood up to their bullies by doing something about it. But that is not necessarily true, because altering body image doesn’t have the same effect as confronting a bully. To add to that. I see it more as a cowardly act because if a person is bullying you on your appearance, you should stand up to them by embracing your differences, not altering them like how the bully would like. That could be considered an act of surrender.
Another reason that teenagers should not be involved in cosmetic surgery is that they are in their years of development and have not yet reached a fully mature age. According to source A, “Teenagers sometimes have distorted body images, due to puberty. ” Every teenager will eventually go through puberty, and are guaranteed to be unsatisfied with their appearance. Because puberty causes overproduction of hormones, they will be affected mentally. During the teenage years, your body is still growing and developing, so plastic surgery is recommended not be done during the teenage years.
Appearance can also change quite a bit as people grow older. Performing plastic surgery on a growing kid can cause major defects as they grow. Sometimes their distorted body images will be altered naturally as they grow. Most teenagers are also influenced by social media. They may compare themselves to a model that they see as the ideal woman. There are many trends on social media. Some stick around for months, and some fly by. There are many beauty trends that girls have been pressured to partake in. Things like the “Kylie Jenner Lips” or Kim Kardashian’s body or even achieving a thigh gap.
Teenagers should embrace their differences, and stop comparing themselves to others. Most teenagers are influenced by seeing “beautiful” people, to have plastic surgery. Although plastic surgery can come with many disadvantages, It can also have it’s advantages. Sometimes a teenager is so insecure about their body image that it can be considered a mental condition. They may undergo depression and hate themselves for the way they look. Having plastic surgery may help them overcome their insecurities, and help them be confident. They may be able to do many things that they were afraid of doing before.
However, should plastic surgery be so reliant among teens? Every human is made different and there is no absolute definition of “beautiful”. For everyone it is different. People think that there’s one idea of beauty, but as they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” People are so influenced by social media and the internet that they seem to have a set idea on what “beautiful” is. One skill that a person should learn in life, is to overcome problems. Insecurities are insecurities, and you’ll always have them. You shouldn’t be thinking about how you can fix the Insecurity, you should be thinking about how you can fix yourself.
Fix yourself into overcoming your insecurities and into loving the way you look. Admiring your imperfections, not altering them through plastic surgery. It is unhealthy for your body, and your mind. I believe it should be avoided all together. In conclusion, I believe that teenagers should not be encouraged into plastic surgery. They need to overcome their insecurities and respect themselves. Plastic surgery comes with many consequences both physically and emotionally. And, the disadvantages overrule the advantages of plastic surgery. If necessary, plastic surgery should be decided during adulthood.