Plastic Surgery The motivations behind undergoing an appearance-altering surgery by Brianna Young

Introduction We can all remember a time when we were dissatisfied with our looks, whether it was before a first date, during a job interview, or just hanging out at home sifting through some old pictures. But would we ever go to the extreme to change the way look? We are all familiar with the plastic surgery craze sweeping the nation, but what are the specific reasons for it?

Discrimination Against the Unattractive “Unattractive” people can have opportunities denied to them based almost solely on their looks, whether it’s in the work force or in social settings Many people who cannot afford cosmetic surgery get it anyway, believing that it will further their careers and thereby paying for itself over time Tom Vincent. “Dr Sule Plastic Surgery Ad Campain (pitch)” Flickr

Access to Credit Having more access to credit in the recent decades could be fueling the plastic surgery craze Many medical credit companies work with cosmetic surgeons and charge high interest rates

Media Effects Media can affect a person’s body image, whether it’s just from seeing an advertisement for some new product on the market or watching makeover reality shows. Media’s effect on body image goes hand-in-hand with the cosmetic industry because if everyone was perfectly satisfied with their appearance, the cosmetic industry would be non-existent.

Bibliography Nabi, R. (2009). Cosmetic surgery makeover programs and intentions to undergo cosmetic enhancements: A consideration of three models of media effects. Human Connection Plastic Surgery 5 Research, 35(1), 1-27. Retrieved February 14, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database. Essig, L. (2009). Ordinary ugliness. Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(21), B10-B11. Retrieved February 19, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database. Berry, B. (2007). Beauty bias: Discrimination and social power. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.