Plastic Surgery: The Perfect Graduation Gift?

One of the issues I address in the college transition seminar is body image. There is a lot of pressure for students, both male and female, to look a certain way on campus. In an interview for CPYU, Brea, a local college student, had this to say:

“It is hard to feel beautiful when looking through fashion magazines. It is even harder at college. College is like walking in a fashion magazine 24/7. It's difficult enough to stay on top of schoolwork nevertheless to stay on top of what you look like in comparison to the hundreds of other young beautiful women walking around campus. It is the only time in life where you are surrounded by people your own age all trying to look their best. It makes you question your own identity and self worth. It's not easy.”

Well, it’s not going to get much easier. Check this out:

“When Courtney Powers graduated from high school last year, she didn’t receive a new computer or a trip to Europe. The North Carolina teen got a pair of D-cup breast implants… Although teens make up just 2 percent of cosmetic surgery patients in the United States, their numbers have grown. From 2002 to 2006, procedures performed on kids ages 13 to 19 nearly doubled to 244,124, including about 47,000 nose jobs and 9,000 breast augmentations, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). And it's become trendy for nose jobs, breast implants, teeth whitening, skin resurfacing and liposuction to top a grad’s wish list, says Dr. Roxanne Guy, ASPS president. She and other experts say the desire for teen cosmetic surgery has been fueled by television shows depicting extreme makeovers, as well as society's growing acceptance of plastic surgery in general.”

You can read the rest of the article, Way to go, grad! Here's a check for a new nose: Is cosmetic surgery an appropriate commencement gift for teens? and watch an informative video here.

This is a great discussion starter for teens. Read over the article, show the video and consider these questions:

1. Have you ever wanted to alter your appearance? What would you change?
2. Do you feel pressure to look a certain way? Describe it.
3. Where does the pressure come from?
4. How does your faith speak into this issue?
5. What difference does it make to know that you are a child of God?