Wanna Be Her? Kylie Jenner's "Boob Job" Buzz and the Troubling Truth Behind a Perfect Body
Insulting remark: You exhibit a lack of maturity, considering your years.
A Thought Piece by Sabine Oelmann | Substack | Instagram | LinkedIn | Medium | Twitter
A chiseled jawline, impeccable skin, full lips, and ample bosoms - society has long enforced strict and unattainable beauty standards for women, ones often glamorized by celebrities like Kylie Jenner. Yet, as she openly shares her breast augmentation journey, we question the true implications of her actions. Is it empowerment or perpetuation of unhealthy beauty norms?
"Perfection" - it's a popular buzzword in today's social media-dominated culture. Women, by virtue of their age or physique, are never "perfect" enough. But what is this "perfect" image so many women strive for, and why is it so important? To understand, we must first delve into our societal roots and question our choices.
Iris Berben, an iconic German actress, recently voiced her concerns in a candid interview. "What was our generation actually fighting for?" she wondered, disheartened by what she sees as a return to the narrow ideas of femininity. "Everyone is making sacrifices… money, health, everything, just to maintain this facade." It appears that many women today still equate their self-worth with certain physical traits - a striking resemblance to methods once employed by oppressive societies.
So it comes as no surprise when we see A-list celebrities like Kylie Jenner hop on theBandwagon of cosmetic procedures. After admitting to her breast augmentation in response to a fan's question on her executive production, "The Kardashians," Kylie's procedures have been the talk of the town. Yet, instead of promoting fear and disgust, her openness seems to breed admiration. What are we celebrating with every airbrushed selfie and every step on the red carpet? Are we redefining beauty, or are we merely perpetuating the same harmful legacy?
Presentation versus Performance
As she discusses her procedures with unapologetic honesty, Kylie's revealing remarks, whether intentional or not, lead the conversation away from performance and talent and towards presentation and appearance. Her candidness incites a wave of self-questioning and comparisons among her fans. The focus on physical transformation overshadows the accomplishments and achievements of these strong, influential women. Instead of embracing their intricate personalities and inspiring qualities, we analyze how closely we can emulate their bodies.
The unfortunate aftermath of this new era of transparency is that it normalizes these procedures, often presented as glamorous and essential steps towards fitting into the mold of female perfection. Young women, particularly, are vulnerable to the allure of these idealized imagines, struggling to find a balance between self-love and societal expectations in a world that thrives on image rather than substance.
A Step Backward or a Leap Forward?
Kylie's raw admission may seem like progress for some, but to veterans like Iris Berben, it represents a step back. "I think today, the focus is extremely on perfection, on a superficial perfection," she laments. "No truly growing person wants perfection." With each passing generation, it seems we are straying further from the path toward personal growth and closer to the pitfalls of shallow self-perception.
But are we really moving backward, or are we actually forging a new path? In the ever-evolving landscape of female representation and self-expression, it's crucial to strike a balance between empowerment and caution. While Kylie's openness might be a step in the right direction, it's essential that we, as a society, continue to critically evaluate our beauty standards and encourage young women everywhere to embrace their true selves.
Beauty: Internal and External
As the debates about Kylie Jenner's breast augmentation continue to rage on, we are reminded of the importance of promoting a well-rounded view of beauty. Our values, talents, and minds should be celebrated alongside our physical appearances. That's why Iris Berben encourages us to focus on self-improvement, asserting, "It's not bad to take care of the inside of your head and train your brain, not just your butt."
In an Instagram-obsessed world, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. But it's essential we remember that beauty is not just skin deep. And as we continue this discourse, we can only hope for a future where women everywhere embrace their unique qualities, flawed bodies, and imperfect selves.
References:
- How Kylie Jenner is Changing the Breast Augmentation Narrative
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Sociocultural Factors that Influence Body Satisfaction
- The Impact of Social Media on Body Image: A Meta-Analytic Review
- Despite Kylie Jenner's openness about her breast augmentation, it remains questionable whether her actions are empowering or perpetuating harmful beauty norms.
- As the conversation shifts from performance to presentation, society must strive to find a balance between self-love and unattainable beauty standards.
- In an Instagram-dominated culture, it is important to celebrate the internal beauty - talents, values, and minds - in addition to the external.
- Iris Berben's musings about society's narrow views on beauty reflect concerns about the normalization of cosmetic procedures and their impact on young women, who are vulnerable to the allure of idealized images.