As a pastor that deals with teenagers on a regular basis, I find this article by Camille Sweeney of the New York Times very disconcerting. I’ll post an excerpt and then leave it up to you to read the entire thing. I’ll give my thoughts after the excerpt. If you are a parent of a teen, or work with teens in any capacity, you need to read this article:
To the rigors of teenage grooming — waxing, plucking, body training and skin care regimens that were once the province of adults — add cosmetic surgery, which is fast becoming a mainstream option among teenagers. But with this popularity, some experts are concerned that the underlying motivation for many of the young people seeking surgery — namely, self-esteem — is being disregarded in the drive to look, as Kristen puts it, “normal.”
The latest figures from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that the number of cosmetic surgical procedures performed on youths 18 or younger more than tripled over a 10-year period, to 205,119 in 2007 from 59,890 in 1997. This includes even more controversial procedures: liposuctions rose to 9,295 from 2,504, and breast augmentations increased nearly sixfold, to 7,882 from 1,326. (The latter two procedures have been associated with the deaths of two 18-year-olds: Amy Fledderman of Pennsylvania, who died in 2001 of fat embolism syndrome after undergoing liposuction, and Stephanie Kuleba of Florida, who died last spring from complications because of anesthesia used during a breast augmentation and inverted nipple surgery.)
At this point, the recession is apparently having little effect on teenage cosmetic surgery. While figures aren’t available for 2008, reports from doctors suggest that parents are keeping their commitments for procedures that are covered by insurance only if considered reconstructive, and that can be costly if they aren’t covered. The most frequent procedure, otoplasty, or ear reshaping, costs an average of $3,000, while rhinoplasty costs $4,500, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. These costs can be twice as much in the New York area.
What is self-esteem? Defined by Merriam-Webster online: a confidence and satisfaction in oneself. In an article on Healthline.com:
Psychologists and child-care authorities who write about self-esteem generally discuss it in terms of two key components: the feeling of being loved and accepted by others and a sense of competence and mastery in performing tasks and solving problems independently.
I find this emphasis in our children’s lives to be a very dangerous one. It is only focused on feelings, and as Christians we do not believe that we are to live a life based on feelings / emotions. Repeatedly through the NY Times article the reader sees emotions as the governing force in both teens and parents. Some examples: “she was disappointed that breasts didn’t follow”, “I didn’t feel like a woman”, “she believed a shapely bust was her due“, “I just wanted to look normal”, “adults who may elect cosmetic surgery for that ‘wow’ factor“, “they may not be happier with their new look” and so on.
Sweeney quotes Jean Kilbourne, co-author of “So Sexy, So Soon“, “Our children are barraged with images of ideal women and men that aren’t even real…“; and in part lays out a reason for part of this “epidemic of low self-esteem”. How are parents supposed to deal with teens that are “struggling” with low self-esteem?
- Realize, and instruct, that each human is made in the image of God, according to His design. When we are dissatisfied with our bodies, what we are really saying is that we think God made a mistake with us. I am not speaking here of areas in which we somewhat have control: over-eating resulting in being over-weight, personal hygeine, etc. (Psalm 139:13-16)
- Realize, and instruct, that the very fact that God sent His Son to die for us, shows us His view of our “self-worth”. We are precious in the eyes of God and He loves us and desires a relationship with us. (Romans 5:8)
- Realize, and instruct, that we must find our significance in our relationship with God, not in ourselves or others. We have been created for a purpose (Isaiah 43:7); we are to be goal-oriented in that purpose (2 Corinthians 5:9); our lives should be lived in such a way that men take note and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16); and we should realize that life is all about God and not about us…no matter the area of life (1 Corinthians 10:31).
- Realize, and instruct, that it is in knowing God that makes our lives meaningful. Is there meaning to life apart from a relationship with an eternal Creator? No, there is not. Jeremiah 9:23-24
- Realize, and instruct, that if we become self-focused or self-absorbed, we are setting ourselves up for a dangerous trap. We will only be disappointed if we set our focus on things other than God. Other people fail us, our bodies change in ways that we don’t care for, material possessions break down and fall apart…we must stay God focused. Romans 12:3
Let me conclude by saying that I am not against personal cosmetic surgery. I believe that there are many physical maladies that can be made better through the use of surgery. One of the graces that we experience by living in this country, at this time, is the medical technology made available to us. So let me be clear: I am not against cosmetic surgery. I am against being self-consumed and living life as if this is the only life that matters.
