Cosmetic surgery – Daddy’s little secret?

It seems that more and more men are feeling that a pleasing physique is an absolute must, regardless of one’s experience or qualifications – or great personality, and are undergoing cosmetic surgery in greater numbers than ever before. According to this article in the AJC:

Since 2002, cosmetic procedures among men have increased at a faster pace than among women. Surgical and nonsurgical work for men jumped 57 percent between 2002 and 2006, compared to 9 percent for women, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Statistics gathered by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons seem to corroborate these findings, reporting that the number of men who undergo cosmetic procedures increased by 8% from 2000 and 2006. So what is it that these men are having done? The top five men’s choices are: nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction, hair transplantation, and breast reduction. But while these are the most popular picks, they are by no means the only cosmetic surgeries that males are increasingly undergoing. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that in 2005, men accounted for 25% of all cheek implants and chin augmentations, 30% of calf augmentations, and 41% of cosmetic ear surgeries. Who knew the menu had grown so long? As the AJC explains it, “Many men are having cosmetic work done for ‘business purposes,’” apparently feeling that the better looking men have a real advantage.

It is discouraging that Americans are feeling pressure to look young and to conform to a homogeneous beauty ideal in greater and greater numbers, and that we feel like we are judged on our physical features in every area of life. As a feminist, my goal is to achieve the same rights, opportunities and freedoms for women as are afforded to men. Equality, though, should be attained through bettering the situations of women, not by equal-opportunity oppression. So instead of being gratified by this news in a sort of now-you’ll-see-how-it-feels-to-be-judged-for-your-looks sort of way, I was discouraged by the disturbing signs that look-ism is becoming a societal problem that will continue to plague women as it increasingly becomes an obstacle for men.