Douglas’s chapter, “Lean and Mean” raises some really good points that I think the majority of us can relate to. The media is so influential over what the ideal body type is, and unfortunately that body type is a rare natural gift and otherwise hard to achieve. The heightened number of women and girls resulting to plastic surgery is frightening. The fact that girls under the age of 18 are now undergoing breast augmentation is ridiculous. But sadly this is a result of societal pressures to have the perfect body, aka be a size zero and have DD boobs. Our cultural is enthralled by the idea of the perfect body, which is evident by the television shows we watch. I fully admit that I have watched my fair share of Extreme Makeover and What Not to Wear, but until reading this chapter, I never really thought about the message behind these shows. Shows like these suggest that fixing someone’s appearance will make them happy and satisfied. In reality this quick fix just puts a cover over someone’s deep down issues that clearly need to be addressed other then by a makeover. Furthermore, these support the message that one can only be considered beautiful if they fit the mainstream mold. Both readings also talk about the fear of aging and the body’s steady decline in years, whether physically or medically. In our society there is also such a fear of aging. Nothing but negative connotations are associated with becoming older. Aging women then once again feel the need to reverse the effects of aging by resulting to plastic surgery, Botox, and collagen injections, basically anything to look young again. I think it’s important to bring attention to a rising phenomenon, “The Cougar.” These women have managed to beat the odds and still remain desirable to younger men. But what price do they pay to keep up their looks? It is rumored that Demi Moore, the most famous cougar of them all, had up to 40 procedures before her big reveal around her 40th birthday. I guess it worked because she managed to snag Ashton Kutcher. When it comes down to it, my opinion on plastic surgery is that if someone thinks it will make them happier with themselves, then I say go for it, but don’t use it as a means to become a completely different person or to bandage deeper issues.
I think you are right to point out that changing your body attain the "ideal" figure comes at a price. Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are expensive and require women to put their body through trauma and extreme pain. I see this as our society's symbol attempt at keeping women oppressed. To feel beautiful and desirable, women today feel they need to stick needles and scaples through their skin and endure costly recovery. I think we ought to evaluate the price women pay in the name of beauty before we approve of makeover procedures.
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