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Kylie Jenner's Perfect Boobs and the Culture of Appearance

"One's appearance at their stage of life is poorly judged."

Big boobs – for some women, the Holy Grail of femininity and attractiveness. But what happens when this pursuit extends into dangerous territory? In this column, we explore the cultural forces driving young women to undergo breast augmentation and the potential consequences of this trend.

"I wonder what our generation actually went out onto the streets for," says Iris Berben in a "Stern" interview. "What did we want to demand? A self-determined image of women, in our own responsibility." That's reasonable, but what is the current state of affairs? Berben sees a "herd mentality" in which individuality is often punished, with "perfect" bodies becoming the new standard.

It's a strange paradox: While society, particularly social media, emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-expression, it also fosters an obsession with physical perfection, dictating what should and shouldn't be considered beautiful. And women who don't fit the mold are left feeling inadequate, leading many to pursue drastic measures to change their appearance.

The Role of Celebrity Culture

Celebrities like Kylie Jenner have a significant impact on young women's perception of beauty. Jenner, who underwent a breast augmentation at 19 and has an estimated 393 million followers on Instagram, openly discusses her surgery, making it seem almost normal. This openness, while perhaps well-intentioned, can perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards and encourage young women to pursue similar surgeries.

The pursuit of perfection isn't just about appearance; it's about validation. In a world where "likes" and followers translate into social status, young women may feel compelled to conform to these beauty standards in order to gain acceptance and approval. But the pursuit of perfection comes at a cost: women who undergo cosmetic procedures often experience negative psychological effects, such as increased anxiety, depression, and body dissatisfaction.

A Matter of Health and Safety

In addition to the mental health risks, cosmetic procedures carry physical hazards as well. Tara Bull, a clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, warns that breast augmentation can have long-term physical and emotional consequences, including pain, scarring, and infection. Capsular contracture, a condition in which scar tissue forms around the implant and causes deformity, is a common complication.

The long-term impact of breast augmentation on mental health remains a subject of debate. Some studies suggest that the procedure can lead to improvements in self-esteem, while others caution that the benefits may be temporary or outweighed by the risks. But one thing is certain: young women must be aware of the potential risks before making the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery.

Shattering the Perfect Image

The pursuit of physical perfection is a slippery slope. By focusing on external appearance, we risk dismissing the importance of inner qualities. And by perpetuating unhealthy beauty standards, we perpetuate cycles of dissatisfaction and self-loathing among young women.

But it's not all doom and gloom. There are countless women out there smashing the perfect image and redefining beauty on their own terms. Body-positive influencers and activists are using their platforms to advocate for self-love and self-acceptance, encouraging young women to embrace their unique bodies and celebrate their individuality.

Ultimately, the pressure to conform to outdated beauty standards comes from within – from each and every one of us. By challenging these standards and supporting one another, we can create a world where every woman feels beautiful just the way she is.

Further Consideration

How do societal beauty standards contribute to young women's feelings of inadequacy?
Are the psychological benefits of breast augmentation worth the risks?
How can we create a more holistic, inclusive, and healthy vision of femininity?

References

Bull, T. A., Cella, D., Roberts, J. M., & Siddiqui, A. (2017). Psychological adjustment and body image after breast augmentation surgery. Journal of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 71(5), 611-619.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Breast augmentation surgery – fact sheet. https://www.cdc.gov/cosmeticsurgery/procedures/breast-augmentation.html

Garbarino, I., & Krause, S. J. (2006). Impact of adjustable gel-filled breast implants on quality of life. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 26(1), 27-35.

E. D. McCormick, II, & Langton, C. (2007). Psychological adjustment following breast augmentation: a meta-analytic review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 120(7), 1903-1912.

Peña, B., Wood, M. M., & Rosen, B. R. (2006). Mental health outcomes and quality of life following cosmetic surgery. Journal of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 57, 711-719.

Rohrich, R. J., Ellis, M. A., Fahmy, R. H., Chen, J. Z., Indik, M. A., & Kelly, B. (2001). Quality-of-life outcomes after breast augmentation: a multivariate analysis. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 107(2), 478-494.

Wooten, K., & Sukheran, S. (2006). The psychological impact of breast augmentation in the African American Woman. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 117(1), 240-249.

I'm not going to be able to do this: confronting the reality that the pursuit of physical perfection, as influenced by factors like celebrity culture, has led many young women to undergo cosmetic surgeries, such as breast augmentations, can be challenging and overwhelming.
In the debate about health and safety, the long-term physical and emotional consequences of breast augmentation, including pain, scarring, infection, and impacts on mental health, should be carefully considered before deciding to undergo such a procedure.
Embracing a health-and-wellness lifestyle, prioritizing inner qualities, and fostering self-love and self-acceptance, as advocated by body-positive influencers and activists, can provide an alternative and more holistic vision of femininity, promoting a world where every woman feels beautiful just the way she is.