Aging and Beauty Surgeries
Physiological aging is associated with many changes, including wrinkles, hair loss, weight gain, and overall body composition change. Today, both aging men and women are prone to social pressure that dictates the beauty rules. Butt augmentation surgery was made to 21,000 people in the US in 2014, and the number of these procedures increased by 86% (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2014). In comparison, the most widespread beauty surgeries in China are those that are directed to reduce weight and add attractiveness. Worldwide, aging populations spent thousands to fit the social standards of beauty.
Ethical Issues
The ethical issue is that in an attempt to change one’s body and make it similar to those that are presented in the media and by stars, people lose their identities and opinions. The social norms claim that only normal weight looks pretty, and that only big butts can be eye-catching. However, the idea of following the social expectations is based on how others perceive the person, while his or her self-perception is disregarded. The majority of the existing beauty standards imply looking young, and having elastic skin and long lashes, which creates anti-aging prejudice.
The modern aspiration by plastic surgery for older adults creates the ethical challenge of inconsistency between a person’s appearance and soul. Those patients, who want to pursue their ephemeral desires and imitate the bodies of models and celebrities, are doomed to the failure. Barone et al. (2017) call plastic surgeries “the surgery of the soul”, meaning that their effects are not only physical but also spiritual. At the same time, some patients are aware of risks and seem to adequately perceive plastic changes. In this case, it is possible to speak about the psychological and physical well-being of an older adult, who understands the value and expected outcomes of plastic surgeries.
Social Change Needed
Social change is needed to recognize the fact that aging females and makes are beautiful as they are, without surgeries that destroy their identities. Namely, it is important to encourage older adults to focus on healthy lifestyles, being more active, and remaining happy. Aging people should feel powerful since they have valuable experience, while their beauty is unique as it comes inside out.
References
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. (2014). Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank statistics.Web.
Barone, M., Cogliandro, A., & Persichetti, P. (2017). Ethics and plastic surgery/what is plastic surgery? Archives of Plastic Surgery, 44(1), 90-92.
World Health Organization. (2015). World report on ageing and health. Web.