Image: Ornello According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons cosmetic surgery is on the rise. The number of people undergoing cosmetic surgery procedures went beyond 50,000. There was a 13% increase in the number of breast augmentations and the demand for liposuction went up by 41%. "every one of the cosmetic ops monitored individually also showed a double-digit rise across the board. Such a significant increase has not been seen since before 2008". 90% of the entire number of people undergoing such procedures was made up of women.
This is not some diatribe against cosmetic surgery. Like pubic hair styling, make up and high heels I don't think it makes you a failed feminist to partake in various vanity projects. This is not some 'can you be a feminist and...' story. I will note that 90% is a lot, right? And, unless you have terrible allergy issues to wax or turn your heel in stilettos, surgery is quite the risky step up from manicuring your lady-garden. It's certainly more invasive whatever your politics.
Interestingly BAAPS (snort) notes that the PIP scandal does not appear to have discouraged women from electing to up their bra size. "Breast augmentation ('boob jobs') saw an increase of 13%: despite the PIP scandal, demand for the procedure doesn't appear to have significantly diminished in the longer term. Breast augmentation remains the top surgical procedure in the UK."
Interestingly BAAPS (snort) notes that the PIP scandal does not appear to have discouraged women from electing to up their bra size. "Breast augmentation ('boob jobs') saw an increase of 13%: despite the PIP scandal, demand for the procedure doesn't appear to have significantly diminished in the longer term. Breast augmentation remains the top surgical procedure in the UK."
| It's arguable that just as body mods such as piercing and tattoos are often cited as a way of reclaiming or owning your body, having surgery in order to change the way you look to match how you envisage yourself is a way of defying various powers. However cosmetic surgery does not have the defiant kudos that tattoos do - no one got a nose job to smash the system. | Even if the explanation is a 'I did it for me'...women will analyse and apologise for their motivation. |
What happens when your aesthetic choice is looked upon as a slight failure? If you are fortunate enough not to suffer fromBody Dysmorphic Disorder or any other illness, you simply never liked your lips and decided to do something about it?
Angela Neustatter wrote about her difficulty with reconciling herself with some feminists after her surgery: "I had an eye job in my 40s when my eyes seemed to be disappearing into a reptilian layer of skin folds." Having written about the surgery and her reasons for doing it she received a predictable response: "I hadn't anticipated the personal criticism and condemnation - I was accused of body loathing - that came my way. Feminists were not supposed to reveal such feminine frailty in the face of ageing it seemed."
What's the bigger issue here? The surgery? The fear of ageing? Or the weird tic women seem to have where they feel they must justify every single action. Even if the explanation is a 'I did it for me' (which always comes off as sadly unconvincing) women will analyse and apologise for their motivation.
Speaking about the issues for women when it comes to ageingBronwen Clune said: "I want to thrash the hour glass, I have learnt as most women do, that youth’s elixir accounts for so little of who you turn out to be - a discovery so often made with dwindling sexual attention. Ageing men, on the other hand, in making similar self discoveries are elevated to elder statesmen (and their gaze turns to younger women). But older women, knowing who they are, and with things to say, feel their volume fading."
I struggle to recall ever seeing an article in which a man discusses his worries about ageing (becoming elderly yes) or how he will or won't age gracefully. No articles excusing the crisis cars, younger girlfriends or absurd hair piece.
And you know why? Because they know when it comes to such things they don't owe anybody an excuse or explanation. And nor do you.
Squeamish Kate
Angela Neustatter wrote about her difficulty with reconciling herself with some feminists after her surgery: "I had an eye job in my 40s when my eyes seemed to be disappearing into a reptilian layer of skin folds." Having written about the surgery and her reasons for doing it she received a predictable response: "I hadn't anticipated the personal criticism and condemnation - I was accused of body loathing - that came my way. Feminists were not supposed to reveal such feminine frailty in the face of ageing it seemed."
What's the bigger issue here? The surgery? The fear of ageing? Or the weird tic women seem to have where they feel they must justify every single action. Even if the explanation is a 'I did it for me' (which always comes off as sadly unconvincing) women will analyse and apologise for their motivation.
Speaking about the issues for women when it comes to ageingBronwen Clune said: "I want to thrash the hour glass, I have learnt as most women do, that youth’s elixir accounts for so little of who you turn out to be - a discovery so often made with dwindling sexual attention. Ageing men, on the other hand, in making similar self discoveries are elevated to elder statesmen (and their gaze turns to younger women). But older women, knowing who they are, and with things to say, feel their volume fading."
I struggle to recall ever seeing an article in which a man discusses his worries about ageing (becoming elderly yes) or how he will or won't age gracefully. No articles excusing the crisis cars, younger girlfriends or absurd hair piece.
And you know why? Because they know when it comes to such things they don't owe anybody an excuse or explanation. And nor do you.
Squeamish Kate
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