What’s up with today’s teens going in for plastic surgery at age 14? Who’s behind this trend of younger and younger surgery ? Are moms and dads encouraging this? Is it the media’s fault? What are teen magazines saying about this? I wonder. I think I need to grab a few magazines in Barnes and Noble and a latte and find out.
Two weeks ago while walking on the treadmill at the Y, I watched a quick report on teens and plastic surgery. I was heartbroken and furious. I wanted to call the news channel and share my story. I’ve been there. I was 22 and still I was too young. Surgery can never heal low esteem. For me, it added more shame.
Am I against plastic surgery? No. I just think teens need to work on those hidden issues first and foremost. And they need to be well informed of the consequences. Surgery is not the answer for the life they’ve always wanted.
Have I found a magic cure for body image blues? Not quite. I wish. I’m 38 and I still struggle. However it’s nothing compared to my teen and early twenty years. I’m learning to accept myself and age gracefully. I focus on being healthy now. I no longer obsess with exercise or my once 24 inch waist. That was bondage. Now I’m free.
Any thoughts on this subject? Or am I the only one who wants to offer another way for these teens?
Here’s a verse that helps me remember what’s most important. The inner, not the outer!
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
Honestly, I think it’s simply criminal that anyone would allow teens to have any type of cosmetic surgery. I think it sends a message — “You’re right, you’re not good enough the way you are, and yes, looks really are the most important thing.”
Somebody might bring up the “self esteem” argument, but copious research suggests that young people today have far TOO MUCH self esteem, and that’s where a lot of the problems are stemming from. So I don’t buy that argument.
Great post!
We live in a world of being attractive for people and not for God. It’s all about “me”. Personally think the parents that pay for this need to have their heads examined and have “surgery” done in their hearts.
It’s so sad because down the road they pay a price. Though I know there are some very critical times someone needs plastic surgery, the majority of the time it’s just so the world will see “me” as beautiful while inside we can be filthy – we are as God’s Word says we are all sinners and all fall short. Only Jesus Christ can make us beautiful, inside and out. There are starving children all over the world, orphans, and we are paying thousands for our body. Wonder how many really think about what God believes in this situation.
Thanks for sharing your heart!
I guess that is why God has us where we are as Christian Writers, to expose the lies of the enemy and tell the truth.
Thank you Tiffany for being vulnerable enough to share you experience.
There are so many voices telling us what is beautiful and our children have trouble discerning what is really necessary as far as surgery is concerned.
It is up to us to get the word out
that this is not a good thing.
Good job Tiffany.