January 4, 2001

12:39 PM

How deflating..... I am aphalled at the statements of the girl and her mother that if someone has low esteem then breast implants are the way to improve both self image and success! As if breast size is the only factor in social standing and prosperity. *sigh* Obviously television, societal rhetoric and socialization of body image opinion has truly sunk to new lows.
posted by bkdelong (19 comments total)

I personally believe that the girl has said she wants the enlargement operation simply to gain publicity for her mother's breast enlargement business. It's made big headlines here in the UK, and must have boosted the girl's mother's business profile.
posted by williamtry at 1:11 PM on January 4, 2001

This would make a good film, sexuality, as a subject, between mothers and daughters hasn't been explored all that much.
posted by tiaka at 2:34 PM on January 4, 2001

I would perhaps be in a better position to make a judgement if the young woman's breast size were given.
Odd statement from the doctor that the breasts will change when she becomes pregnant. Does the young woman plan to be pregnant at 18?

Sort of makes one question the mommie's abilities as a consultant on plastic surgery (well I am old and this is what we used to call it) if she goes public with doing whatever a potential customer wants.
posted by Postroad at 3:45 PM on January 4, 2001

Odd statement from the doctor that the breasts will change when she becomes pregnant. Does the young woman plan to be pregnant at 18?

Well, if her main goal at 16 is breast enlargments, it wouldn't be that surprising...

This would make a good film, sexuality, as a subject, between mothers and daughters hasn't been explored all that much.

You don't want to. It's scary.
posted by dagnyscott at 3:49 PM on January 4, 2001

What a completely silly statement. Wanting breast implants doesn't even necessarily imply that she wants to be more attractive to men, let alone have babies at eighteen. I'm sure what's at the forefront of her mind (having been a teenage girl fairly recently) is looking like her friends, like the models in magazines, whatever she perceives to be "normal".

But let's not make assumptions about her "morals" or character just because she's dissatisfied with her body.
posted by annathea at 3:59 PM on January 4, 2001

Are breasts even done growing at 16? Is she in danger of having a growth spurt and, like, busting a seam or something?
posted by shylock at 6:24 PM on January 4, 2001

I'd imagine that if your parents' work revolved around arranging plastic surgery, you'd be prone to develop, um, issues about your appearance and its alterability. (Even if this isn't a publicity stunt.)

Oh, and Postroad: she's a 34A. Not that that matters.
posted by holgate at 7:04 PM on January 4, 2001

annathea-
I'm not going to respect anyone who says "You've got to have breasts to be successful". She's seeing her success in life only as resulting from her sex appeal, that is to say, her main goal in life is to be a sex object. Period. Personally, I'm surprised she's not knocked up already. Or maybe she was and killed the little brat before anyone could notice she'd gained weight.
posted by dagnyscott at 7:27 PM on January 4, 2001

I think the media needs breast implants.
posted by frenetic at 7:41 PM on January 4, 2001

I think I need breast implants.
posted by solistrato at 7:46 PM on January 4, 2001

I think breast implants have the media.
posted by whatnotever at 8:20 PM on January 4, 2001

I'm not going to respect anyone who says "You've got to have breasts to be successful".

You might not need them, but they surely don't hurt your chances much.
posted by kindall at 8:40 PM on January 4, 2001

dagnyscott-

I imagine a statement like that should be taken in context, you know? I don't respect the statement - but I understand the thought behind it. Like I said before, it reflects her wish to look like everyone else. Unfortunately, societal norms in terms of physical beauty have a hell of a lot to do with sex. Still doesn't mean that she is just dying to get knocked up.

I don't understand what the fuss is anyway. At my high school, there were at least two girls who got the same present for their sixteenth birthdays, and one who got a nosejob. I think it's all pretty silly.

And solistrato - I agree. You should probably get breast implants.
posted by annathea at 10:27 AM on January 5, 2001

Breast implants are a great idea. How big does she wanna get? Normal size, Busty, or porn star?

What's the big deal anyway? Most people are in some way dissatisfied with their bodies. And a lot of people feel better about themselves when they're more "attractive" - whether it's from a makeover, haircut, new suit - whatever. The only difference is, fake boobs require surgery. Obviously, she's willing to accept that risk.

To sum up - fake boobs for everyone!
posted by Jart at 12:24 PM on January 5, 2001

I don't need fake boobs.

Just more exercise.
posted by baylink at 12:40 PM on January 5, 2001

I thought it was bad when all the teen girls I see at the mall where wearing all the same "unique" and "individual" Old Navy clothes or, for the really "unique" and "different," American Eagle/Abercrombie.

How many more years will it be before breast implants are a big fad for teen girls? We'll be seeing them in commercials on TV, right alongside the herpes medication and that one I saw the other day that began "When you exert yourself, do you leak urine?" Great times, huh?
posted by Spirit_VW at 6:28 PM on January 5, 2001

I imagine a statement like that should be taken in context, you know?

I'm quite familiar with the context, you know. geeky teenage girls are teenage girls, too.

I don't respect the statement - but I understand the thought behind it. Like I said before, it reflects her wish to look like everyone else.

Pfft. And that's innocuous? I weep for the future.

We can't look at all different from our friends. Maybe this explains racism. After all, people from other races don't look like your twin.
posted by dagnyscott at 7:03 PM on January 5, 2001

I think this is a really sad indication of the value this girl places upon herself. It's all fine and well to say, "Well, I'd like bigger breasts because that will ensure success later in life", but actually believing it is a different thing. A bigger rack isn't going to replace what she has in her head, and unfortunately for our image-driven society, the mind is what ends up doing most of the work.

This could well be TMI, but as a woman with a pair of DD's, bigger boobs do not equal success. Large breasts do not replace my personality or my brainpower. They do not enhance my ability to think or solve problems. And they can't give me a sense of self-worth or increase my self-esteem.

I really hope this girl realises these things in the two years she has to wait before the surgeons are willing to carry out the operation. I'd also like her to think over the advantages of small boobs - among which are the ability to wear strappy little tank-tops and a wide choice of luridly coloured bras - I don't even think they even make A-cup bras in beige, which is nice for all of my less-"endowed" sisters.

I'm not making a moral judgement on this girl - I just hope she realises that breasts aren't what will really help her get ahead in life.
posted by sammy at 11:07 PM on January 5, 2001