Seeking Self-Esteem Through Surgery

This article in the New York Times delves into the controversial topic of cosmetic surgery and teenage girls.  A study conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery showed that from 1997 to 2007, the number of cosmetic surgeries performed on youths 18 or younger tripled from 59,890 to 205,119.  However, these surgeries were not performed because they were necessary, but to help teen girls feel better about themselves.  Plastic surgeon Dr. Fredrick Lukash stated that "kids have a different mantra" about plastic surgery, "they do it to fit in."  What these cosmetic surgery patients do not understand is that the changes they are choosing to make at such a young age are permanent and are extremely difficult to reverse.  A survey sponsored by the  Dove Self-Esteem Fund, surveyed 1000 teenage girls and learned that only 10% of them believed that they were "pretty enough" which means that 90% of them thought they did not "measure up" to those around them. Plastic surgeons believe that cosmetic surgery on teenage girls is justified because the boost it can give to their self-confidence can stop them from other "destructive behaviors, including eating disorders, bullying, and self-mutilation."
This article contains great insight from professional about why teens actually elect to receive cosmetic surgery.


Sweeney, C.. (14 January, 2009). Seeking Self-Esteem Through Surgery.  New York Times.       Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/fashion/15skin.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0