Plastic Surgey: The New Beauty Norm?

This is a good topic to discuss especially now since the popularity of all the make-over shows. I have always been curious as to why people, mostly women, have this idea that they are expected to look a certain way in order to "fit in" with society.

We all would like to believe that quaint saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", but how true and meaningful is that phrase when the beholder has been brainwashed, so to speak, into subscribing to the belief that beauty is the artificial look we see on glamour mags, in TV commercials, and even in some children's books? For some time now, that image has consisted mainly of white women and the "white standard of beauty".

I decided to take this question of plastic surgery and the search for beauty and see how it can affect some women in the African-American community. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, African-Americans make up only 6% of plastic surgery patients. Why is this? Do African-American women have a more positive self/body image or is it that many cannot afford it? And for the 6% who do have surgery, to which standard of beauty were they trying to aspire?

I chose to start my search for the white standard of beauty in 1960. I chose that year because at the time, a TV show was airing that sought to teach moral and societal lessons through fantastical tales. Two episodes of this show were very telling and prophetic, and they both dealt with how society viewed beauty and the expectations placed on women to be "beautiful". That show was, The Twilight Zone.

Beauty in 1960... Rod Serling offered us a tale of beauties and beasts in episode #42 entitled: Eye of the Beholder. Here's a brief synopsis of the show I found at The Twilight Zone Guide: Janet Tyler anxiously awaits the outcome of her latest surgery. Janet, who's abnormal face has made her an outcast, has had her eleventh hospital visit - the maximum allowed by the State. If it didn't succeed, she will be sent to live in a village where others of her kind are segregated. As her bandages are removed, she is revealed to be very beautiful. The doctor draws back in horror. As the lights come on we see the others, their faces are misshapen and deformed. As Janet runs from her room crying, she runs into another of her kind, a handsome man named Walter Smith. He is in charge of an outcast village, and he assures her that she will eventually feel she belongs. He tells her to remember the old saying: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Although the show was filmed in black and white, we can clearly see that Ms. Tyler is Caucasian. The doctors appear to have darker skin, nevertheless, the idea here was that the viewers empathized with Ms. Tyler because she was the classic blonde, slender beauty commonly seen in 1960's fashion magazines. As the show closes, the narrator speaks: "Now the questions that come to mind. Where is this place and when is it, what kind of world where ugliness is the norm and beauty the deviation from that norm? The answer is, it doesn't make any difference. Because the old saying happens to be true. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, in this year or a hundred years hence, on this planet or wherever there is human life, perhaps out among the stars. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Lesson to be learned...in the Twilight Zone."

1964: The Standard Continues Episode #137, in Season Five, is called, "Number Twelve Looks Just Like You", and was adapted by a short story called "The Beautiful People". In this episode, we meet Marilyn, a young woman who is about to go through a rite of passage in her community. This rite is called "The Transformation" and it requires citizens to choose among several models of bodies into which they will be transformed. The message here is that this society only sees one standard of beauty and that one will not be happy unless they look and act just like everyone else. Opening Narration: "Given the chance, what young girl wouldn't happily exchange a plain face for a lovely one? What girl could refuse the opportunity to be beautiful? For want of a better estimate, let's call it the year 2000. At any rate, imagine a time in the future when science has developed a means of giving everyone the face and body he dreams of. It may not happen tomorrow--but it happens now, in the Twilight Zone."

Once again, the beautiful people are all white and we don't see any women or men of color. What was this episode trying to tell black women about beauty? The closing narration: Portrait of a young lady in love--with herself. Improbable? Perhaps. But in an age of plastic surgery, body building, and an infinity of cosmetics, let us hesitate to say impossible. These and other strange blessings may be waiting in the future--which after all, is the Twilight Zone."

Beauty 40 Years Later

Some aspects of beauty standards have changed, but not much. We do see more black models and beautiful black women, but when you look at the majority of the more famous ones, (Tyra, Halle, Janet, Vanessa Williams, Beyonce, a few of whom have had plastic surgery, on their noses and other body parts), you can see straight away that they have many Caucasian attributes: small, pinched noses, lighter complexion, lighter eyes, straight, lightly colored hair. It is rare that you will see a model with very dark skin, a tight afro, wide, round, larger nose, and full, large lips. Flip through any issue of Vogue or Glamour and look for that image I just described. Then look for the first image I described.

So, are black women trying to aspire to the white standard of beauty when they seek plastic surgery?

According to Cynthia Winston, assistant professor of psychology at Howard University in Washington, D.C., We really don't know much about how blacks are influenced. Most of the research focuses on perceptions related to skin color. Foe most African-Americans, perception can be shaped by their environment. For example, an African-American woman growing up in an all-white neighborhood in Nebraska may be more likely than an African-American woman raised in inner-city Detroit to compare herself with white images of beauty.

(Source: African-American Women & Plastic Surgery: Self-Improvement or Self-Hatred? By Angela D. Johnson, Sept. 2, 2003)

Now What?

I suppose, it all comes down to how one feels inside about themselves. But there is this viscous cycle of doubt that women constantly face so it's often hard to reconcile your inner voices with the outside images thrown at you everyday. Many women buy into the trends and fashions that dictate beauty. TV shows and print ads abound with images of sexy women. Fitness clubs persuade women to join not so they will lower their risk of heart disease, but so they will aspire to be beautiful on the outside. No one tries to sell things that will help them on the inside.

In the end, you can look at all of this and say that there will always be standards of beauty and those who aspire to live up those standards, and those wanting to make a profit off those standards (cosmetic companies, ad agencies, modeling agencies, fashion designers, plastic surgeons, psychotherapists). The media portrays what people want to see and apparently, it's sex and "beauty".

Ms. Martin currently resides in sunny Southern California with her son. When she's not writing, she works part-time as a preschool teacher where she hopes to help all children develop positive self and body images.

---

Baby Boomers Seek Hold on Youth Through Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Elkhart-IN -People in the 35-50 age group comprise the largest percentage (40 percent) of individuals who had cosmetic procedures last year, according to the American Society of... Read More

A Beginners Guide to Colored Contact Lenses

Today, colored contact lenses has slowly become a fashion that aims to change your appearance. As the old saying goes, 'Eyes are the window to the soul'.... Read More

Cosmetic Dentistry and Teeth Whitening

Maybe you are ready to get rid of your old silver fillings. Maybe you don't like you discolored teeth. Or maybe your smile needs adjusting.This new dentistry... Read More

The Benefits of Human Hair Extensions

Several different types of hair extensions are available, including those made from human hair, animal hair, and synthetic fibers. Most experts agree that human hair extensions are... Read More

Learn How To Tan Safely

Finally summer has arrived, the sun is warm and inviting and we can ditch that heavy clothing. It's the season to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy that... Read More

Simple Beauty - 10 Tips that are Free and Easy

It is simple to look and feel more beautiful starting today. You can even put away your pocketbook because these tips are free.1. Smile... it will brighten... Read More

Does Your Skin Tell Your Secrets?

Age - It is going to affect each and everyone of us, you cannot stop the aging process but you can influence the impact it has on... Read More

How to Improve Your Skin?s Elasticity

If you are a woman in your late 30's or higher, you have probably noticed your skin's elasticity is not what it used to be. For most... Read More

Revision Rhinoplasty

Revision rhinoplasty occurs when any further surgery is required on a nose to either repair poorly executed surgery, to correct some irregularity from a previous surgery or... Read More

Mini Dental Implants in the U.S.

The concept of mini dental implants is a revolutionary method for supporting replacement teeth that used very small titanium alloy implant screws that would function free standing... Read More

Dermaglow For Natural Skin

Bring natural beauty to your skin with the launch of Dermaglow an extensive assortment of skin care treats to heal, soothe and protect. Developed in Canada by... Read More

How to Halt the Train of Aging

Aging would not be so bad if it did not tell on us at every encounter. As we hug one another, we register the love handles on... Read More

Microdermabrasion Treatment Offers Dramatic Results

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that improves skin condition. It is effective at reducing fine lines, fine wrinkles, small scars such as acne scars (although it is not... Read More

Detoxification and your skin

Learn to help your body glow from the inside out. Nourish it with foods that are pure and natural. Remove harmful substances from your diet and you... Read More

Lip Tips

Nice lips are every woman's wish but as we get older some things grow and some things shrink, and never in the order we wish. Your lips... Read More

Selling Skin Care, Consumer Report 75% of All Drugs and Cosmetics are Derived from Nature

Cosmetic companies like Erno Laszlo, Estee Lauder and Lancome, train their sales associates to sell unsuspecting women hundreds of dollars of unnecessary skin care products.SELLING SKIN CARE,... Read More

Natural Prescription for Eczema

-Identify food allergies and eliminate the offending foods from you diet. Eggs, milk, cheese, chocolate, peanuts, soy, potatoes, and the glutens in wheat are common allergenic foods.... Read More

Knowing Your Skin Type

People can spend years searching for their perfect skin care solution. Finding the right products can be a constant struggle. Many offer quick fixes or cures for... Read More

Create A Home Spa

Here are 10 personal little home spa tips that will make you look and feel like a million bucks!Squeeze in a few extra minutes to your every... Read More

The Manicure - More than Pretty Nails!

Pretty and well cared for hands are more than a delight to the eye. In the business world the two things often considered the most important in... Read More

All About Plastic Surgery

The plastic surgery has become a multi-million dollar one, as both men and women employ more and more extreme tools in order to reach the ever more... Read More

Permanent Cosmetics

What is Permanent Makeup?Permanent makeup is a state-of-the-art form of cosmetic tattooing. The specialized techniques used for permanent cosmetics are often referred to as micropigmentation, micropigment implantation... Read More

Hair Extensions - the Truth About Instant Long Hair

Hair extensions - a few hours in the salon and you have long hair that looks like a dream. But is there a downside? Professionally made hair... Read More

The Benefits of Shea Healing Butter

Shea HEALING butter is a high performance lotion, and cream that enrich your skin with the added benefit of HEALING. It is a natural alternative to skin... Read More

Handmade and Homemade Toiletries?Buyer Beware

If you've been to a craft show or a farmers' market recently you've probably noticed that more and more people are making and selling homemade soaps, toiletries... Read More

What is Your Hair Type?

Everyday you see people with all color and style of hair. But did you know that you have a hair type? Yes! Not all hair has been... Read More