A new cosmetic surgery report suggests there is a steady decline of self-esteem among young girls, with half of secondary school girls saying they would consider surgery.
Naturally insecurities develop among adolescents as they endure physical and emotional changes. However, it seems the new generation of girls have matured before their years, with girls as young as seven developing severe insecurities and low self-esteem over their appearance, weight and body image.
Findings suggest that young teenagers consider surgery a realistic alternative to their problems, as if cosmetic procedures were a normal part of everyday life. A study found that in the age group of 11-16 years olds, 46% say they would consider surgery, liposuction gastric bands or other such procedures, and in the 16-21 age group, a staggering 50% say they would turn to such drastic surgery to correct their various body hang-ups.
Critics would argue that teenage girls nowadays are immersed in a society where stereotypical representations of women are predominant. In turn, notions of beauty have been socially constructed to be equated with slender figures, glossy hair and flawless looks. Such unrealistic notions are portrayed through various mediums of exposure – such as advertising, television, magazines and celebrity culture. Representations of women particularly in the fashion industry and retail reflect an idealised image of what is means to be beautiful, with immense ability to influence the consumer. In turn many women buy into a concept, by believing that by purchasing a particular product, item of clothing etc, or even undergoing a cosmetic procedure, their lifestyle will improve dramatically.
Prevalence of cosmetic surgery among celebrities, most of who are looked up to and idolised by young girls, can play a part in making such procedures seem simple, easy and accessible. And with an abundance of mixed messages in culture about body image reaching young teens everyday, it is no wonder insecurities are growing. Popular magazines bombard us with images of skinny models and celebrities each day, offer us the new fad diet plan and exercise regime, as well as highlighting weight gain on a size 8 celebrity as if it was a negative ailment.
Such programs as How to Look Good Naked supposedly tells us to celebrate and embrace our curves and various body shapes, to ‘learn to love ourselves’, yet on the same channel such programs as Ten Years Younger and You Are What You Eat sends an alternative message. It is extremely worrying that young as 11 say they have cut down on what they eat in order to stay thin, however, it seems almost inevitable in a society were the wrong messages are reaching young audiences with increasing ease. This in turn, is influencing eating decisions and creating body worries more rapidly, Nicola Grinstead, a trustee of Girlguiding UK said these insecurities were alarming “girls and young women are telling us they are finding it quite hard to except their appearance, and it is starting at a much earlier age than we had previously thought”.
