In the Eye of the Beholder
Cosmetic surgery is just another part of raising a daughter if you live in Asia. Asian women-and progressively more men-are doing anything in order to look as what they perceive as beautiful (Cullen). In Korea an estimated one in 10 adults has received some type of surgical improvement, and several years ago, an Asian doctor even began a travel agency that offered plastic surgery tours for the Japanese. Tour "packages include airfare, hotel, sightseeing, and, say, a boob job-all for the cost of a procedure alone back home" (Cullen). There are three theories that provide reasonable explanations for this behavior. One theory is that Asians want to look more Caucasian, but other theories argue that it is just to display wealth or a response to increased job competition.The most considered of the three theories, the "Caucasian" theory, can be explained by Asia's changing ideals of beauty due to the unrelenting attack of Western films and television shows. Audiences think that stars reach their status based on their appearance; therefore, when women of other cultures are constantly seeing white, skinny, attractive actresses on the screen, their perception of beauty begins to transform to fit those st
The popularity of a blepharoplasty in Asia is comparable to liposuction, a rhinoplasty (nose job), or a breast augmentation in the United States of America (Sherwood). How can an individual make him or herself stand out above so many others? The answer to that is to become more attractive and achieve a higher level of self-confidence by any means possible because if two people of similar ability compete for the same job, the person who has both of these qualities will be the one picked for that job. It's just a different way that Asian people want it" (Sherwood). They believe that the benefits of the surgery are good enough to take that chance. One additional theory says that a competitive job market also compels workers to think that they need to have a more attractive appearance to be noticed (Cullen). He Xiaoming of the Peking Medical Union College's Plastic Surgery Hospital says, "People want to look more beautiful as a way to show off their newfound wealth" (Cullen). org/kuedge/j415/415_projects/sherwood_m/index. , five percent of people who undergo a blepharoplasty risk going blind or having other problems, such as losing the ability to close their eyes while sleeping or having the eye crease come undone; however, because the surgical procedure has become so common, people are not concerned with the risks (Sherwood). The type of surgery most favored in Asia is called a blepharoplasty because it provides more definition in the eyes and gives them the double-eyelid effect that Caucasians have.
Common topics in this essay:
Asians Caucasian,
Surgeons Inc,
United America,
Cullen Caucasian,
Bangkok Thailand,
Saeko Kimura,
Japanese Tour,
Cullen Korea,
America Sherwood,
African Americans,
cosmetic surgery,
plastic surgery,
eye crease,
17 february,
united america,
caucasian theory,
17 february 2004,
february 2004,
display wealth,
|