News about the formation of an Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League probably made most women of a certain age smile -- at least those whose un-botoxed faces still allowed them that natural expression.
How refreshing and inspiring it was to read that Kate Winslet had enlisted her British pals, Emma Thompson and Rachel Weisz, for the cause. Winslet told The Telegraph, "I will never give in. [Cosmetic surgery] goes against my morals, the way that my parents brought me up and what I consider to be natural beauty." Weisz agreed, saying, "People who look too perfect don't look sexy or particularly beautiful," And Emma Thompson, the eldest of the three, added, "I'm not fiddling about with myself. We're in this awful youth-driven thing now where everybody needs to look 30 at 60."
Following this public proclamation, women around the world have been called upon to join in by taking "The Pledge" against plastic surgery. Here on Huff Post, author Christie Mellow wrote, "I hereby pledge to not shoot botulism toxin into my forehead two inches from where my brain is housed. I will solemnly pledge to not have chunks of plastic inserted under the skin of my cheekbones and my chin. It might take a will of steel, but I pledge to never let a surgeon pull the skin off my face so he can rearrange and tighten my features."
Three cheers! Hip, hip, hooray for these three brave British actresses and the women they are rallying in protest against plastic surgery!
But, the more I think about it, the less positive I feel about the whole idea of an Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League -- especially one promoted by this trio of famous women. While I applaud them for raising awareness of the problems created by our culture's obsession with youth, beauty and perfection, and using their celebrity position to make their point of view clear, the impact on everyday woman could actually have unexpected and undesirable results.
You see, women like Winslet, Weisz and Thompson can afford -- financially and otherwise -- to oppose surgery, photoshop and airbrushing. They were blessed with good genes as well as limitless opportunities to care for their physical selves. Furthermore, they probably haven't yet experienced their true "uh-oh moment " in the aging process -- that gut-felt moment when the mirror says things are headed south and are never turning back again. Maybe Thompson, at 52, has had a glimpse of hers, but 36-year-old Winselt? Or 41-year-old Weitz? Besides, with their trainers, stylists, fashion and beauty consultants available for constant upkeep, can they really know what everyday women in their 50s and 60s are feeling and thinking?
With women being so self-critical anyway, they just don't need more to feel bad about. "Immoral" is a strong word, and women who choose to improve their appearance already feel conflicted. They hear, "50 is the new 40," and if they don't look and feel that way, they are told to "reinvent, revitalize and rejuvenate." What follows for most women is ambivalence; a collision of values I call the "Beauty Paradox." Do we focus on our bodies and faces because it will make us feel better or because we are victims to the anti-aging craze? Are we choosing to look younger than our years to stay competitive -- professionally and personally -- or have we no other choice in this youth obsessed culture? Should we even care at all, when there are so many other more important things to worry about? " We have worked too hard and come too far to be so confused by superficial vanity, right?
Well, not exactly. The way I see it, women today are in the throws of an anthropological experiment. We are living longer than ever before, expecting to feel vital and attractive well into our 80s and 90s -- with few role models to lead the way. We hear that "age is just a number," or "it's mind over matter," and that our goal is to age with grace and dignity, but what does that really mean? Let ourselves go 'au natural?' Become grandmothers and dismiss the importance of how we look, dress and care for ourselves? I don't think so -- it's just more complicated!
Plastic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic procedures came onto the scene because they promised 'simple' solutions to women's complicated fears of aging. They were viewed as hope in a jar, magic in a needle, transformation by scalpel -- especially as they became more refined and easily accessible. But as we watched their rise in popularity, we also witnessed the start of a slippery slope -- with increasing over-use, too often provided by non-licensed practitioners, offered to women who gave little thought to their long-term consequences. Then came the botched jobs, the frozen faces and the Joan Rivers disasters.
But, is an Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League the best antidote to a beauty and youth obsessed culture gone wild? Need we condemn those women who opt for dermatological or cosmetic procedures if they chose them to feel better about themselves? Do these famous -- and gorgeous -- celebrities need be so sanctimonious about it all?
Instead, how about we all join together to become clearer about the choices we have -- surgical or otherwise -- while we challenge the unrealistic images created by the media and the dangers they present for women trying to achieve them. In the end, isn't working together against the narrowing definition of beauty -- rather than narrowing of women's choices -- our ultimate goal?
Surely this Anti-Cosmetic Surgery movement is related to larger issues that go beyond movie stars, celebrities and the morality of altering their images in life or on the screen. This is not just about Hollywood, but about all women around the world who feel enormous pressure to maintain their youth and beauty in unrealistic ways. It's about how they can deal with these pressures and find viable means to feel good about themselves at any age. Women are starting to view extreme and radical transformations through cosmetic surgery as a trend to rebel against. The desire for authenticity is beginning to gain momentum -- among celebrities and everyday women alike. Let's support this important movement and all that it stands for. But most of all, let's support women who stand for the freedom to choose.
What do you think about the Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League?
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Clare Macnaughton: Is Cosmetic Surgery a Feminist Issue?
As a woman turning 39 in less than a month I have struggled with how to stay young and vibrant, and I have found it's so much more than working out, hair color and the latest fashion. I have found it's when I allow myself to enjoy the age I am at and admire the beauty of all ages, that I become happier with myself, feel more sexy, and beautiful. Love the skin you're in!
Rebekah Sweeney
Co-Publisher
THAT magazine for women
www.thatmagazineforwomen.com
As a matter of fact, I think they can, even more so than the rest of us. They are in an industry that is brutal to women over 40, and that army of support staff is the only thing keeping them in fighting trim. Good for Kate and Emma and Rachel for resisting the pressure and making it clear they won't bow to it. This is one instance in which I believe celebrity helps the discussion--after all, if more women like them join the fight, it means we get to see more "real women" in feature films and in magazines which ultimately influence attitudes and culture.
Contrary to your assertion, I don't think this demonizes women who make the choice to have cosmetic procedures anymore than we demonize women who choose not to color their hair. The bottom line is, women have to stop caving to what other people think we "should" do, and listen to their own feelings about what's right for them.
Now, if we could only stop the gratuitous use of Photoshop, the world would be a better place.
To illustrate why I disapprove, ask yourself this theoretical: A young woman with one white parent and one minority parent ends up looking not-at-all white. If this woman felt that her inside did not match her outside, and wanted to go through extensive surgeries to look more white -- should we really say it's just her choice, and we should support her in it?
I can't get behind that. Particularly because, as Kanye West's mom illustrates, elective surgeries are still surgeries. Things can go wrong. You should not risk your life or your health to achieve some arbitrary standard of beauty. Pointing out that the celebrities mentioned in the article are already beautiful is irrelevant.
I agree with nix28's post below. If the surgery is not to correct a disfigurement, I'd say the money is better spent on therapy.
what scenario, what legacy are we creating?
i know for a fact that there are men out there who truly prefer the non-altered gals, probably for this very reason (ie the dr's comment below rings true on that note: we do indeed like to rest our eyes on those whose genes have constructed pleasant, even countenances)
just who/what kind of guy likes coz-surg-altered gals?
just who/what kind of guy like non-altered gals?
does potential procreation affect choice or not? genes, as we all know, cannot be altered to match new body parts.
and then
what is the damage to offspring of altered parents: what is the example/pattern set & what hurt is instilled when genetic legacy is literally hidden/disliked enough to surgically alter?
If you have varicose veins, you should always let them be?
The girl I mentioned earlier didn't have a giant boob job or a facelift that made her unrecognizable. She took a size 10 nose down to a size 7. She was happier and less self-conscious. Why would you want someone to be sadder and more self-conscious?
And actually, I remember her saying that if she had a daughter who wanted to do the same thing, she would support her.
I think there's a happy medium between a little work and a Heidi Montag-like reconstruction.
I'm all for corrective surgery, but that's pretty much it. I personally believe that a woman that is unhappy with any physical aspect of herself that is not disfigured should use that money instead to get therapy and develop the tools to love herself, imperfections and all. As women, we have to accept that hair will grey, skin will sag, dimples will form, and it's perfectly natural. Attempting to interrupt nature's process is futile, as none of these changes are permanent and our bodies can only take so much "correction" before they begin falling apart anyway.
Yes. I think this is where we have the most power and ultimately will find the most freedom. Defining beauty for ourselves is the goal. How do we get there? I really do appreciate these celebs for taking a stand. It's a fine way to get the conversation going. Where do go next? This is what I'll be thinking about. Let's get some ideas going.
I talk with my teenage daughter about how she dresses. Instead of fighting with her, I'm trying to find a positive way to approach this issue. Your article just brings the whole thing home for me. What is beauty? How do we define it individually and as a culture? What are we teaching our girls? And our boys.
i have always loved the brit stars and their natural features, natural smiles. noted as well in germany and other northern european countries, where healthy weights and un-made up, naturally nice faces prevail.
Emma Thompson, who I admire very much, can complain all she wants about a culture that says at 60 you should look 30, but what about women who are 60, but look 80? I had a friend in college who got a new nose and her confidence and outlook (and dating life) were better than ever. Was that due to some awful societal pressure or the fact that she would rather have had her mom's nose than her dad's?
And if a woman thinks her face or body doesn't match how she feels inside, then let her make the choice. But don't stand up on a soapbox and suggest that such a decision is somehow wrong simply because it's different from how you feel.
And I'll bet there are patients in plastic surgeons' offices every day who at one time swore to never have any work done. Jane Fonda was one of those for a long time who said she was going to age gracefully and healthfully through diet and exercise. But she said she looked in the mirror or at photographs of herself and thought that the image didn't match who she felt like inside. And so she had a little touch-up or two done.
To each her own (or his own).
never
iffy, iffy words, practically mutually exclusive if paired with time and life.
and yes, as you say, let's pull our gaze back in and view the true crux of the matter, all the "real gals" who, if at a plastic surgeon's office, are the ones showing photos of kate and rachel to their docs in hopes of getting something to look remotely like that. easy to pooh-pooh that which one has in overabundance, though the good intentions of their sentiments are gratefully noted.
More voices carrying THAT message is better for everybody but plastic surgeons.