Enhancing beauty is sometimes done with sharp knives and by inserting foreign objects into the body. A simple powder puff on the nose or hitting the gym is no longer enough; plastic surgery seems to be the alternative for young people and college students alike.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, people between the ages of 19 and 34 had a total of 608,244 surgical procedures in 2007, and of those procedures, 10,958 account for men receiving Gynecomastia (treatment of male breast reduction), and 205,881 accounted for women receiving breast augmentations. That number also included 39,498 abdominplasty or tummy tucks.
BC student Andrew Fields said that students shouldn’t be getting plastic surgery. “I think it’s too expensive, and education should come first.” Fields also explained that women are more self-conscious than men, and that they are more likely to have surgical procedures done.
Fields also expressed his view about using money from financial aid and other government help for cosmetic surgery. “It’s dumb for someone to use financial aid for weed or plastic surgery; it’s more appropriate for school.”
BC student Cristina Bautista had a different opinion, saying that there was nothing wrong with using financial aid for plastic surgery. Bautista said, “If the family doesn’t have the means to help, take the help you do get and use it.”
Despite the way Bautista feels about using government aid to fund a student’s need to enhance his or her look, she still felt that college was not the place to worry about outer appearances, though she acknowledges that people in college are young, and they want to look good and meet new people. “You’re in college to learn, not to impress other people.”
Bautista also explained that there are gender differences in the need to be accepted by both genders. “All of my guy friends are not really worried about their outer appearance.”
Bautista does admit to having numerous friends who have had work done. “My friends have had nose jobs, butt enhancements, cheek implants, breast implants, and have had their lips enhanced.”
Some students don’t realize the prevalence of young people getting surgery.
BC student Amber Gilley commented on the situation, saying that she didn’t realize that young people actually were having surgeries done and didn’t agree with the idea of using financial aid money to help pay for the procedures. “Financial aid comes from everyone in the state, and there are students who don’t get any help, and students who use the money for plastic surgery are just taking advantage.”
Gilley also explained that girls were more likely to have procedures done because there is more pressure on them from society. “Women say that they’re doing it for themselves, but they want to do it for everyone else to try to fit in when they really don’t need to.”
BC student Ricardo Jimenez had a different opinion, saying that it is acceptable for college students to get plastic surgery. “If they really want to look differently and attractive, and be seen and recognized, then they should get the surgery.”
Jimenez also said that people get certain things done for certain reasons. “Everything is personal. There’s no real difference. Guys and girls both want to improve different things and improve their personal appearances.”
Kelly Fischer had a different opinion and shared her thoughts of young people in college getting plastic surgery.
Fischer said that people should not get procedures done. “God created you how you are; you can do your hair and stuff, but plastic surgery is too much.”