A Very Real Issue

Hi All! It's been awhile since my last post.

I recently came across a Time Magazine article on the dominance of plastic surgery in Asia, and it has compelled me to do the least bit that I can, which is post a blog on this topic so that more people can become aware.

http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/1101020805/story.html

If you have time, I really encourage you to take a look at the article as well as click on the photo gallery and graphics to the left.

In short, the article talks about how more and more women in Asia, and even some men, are resorting to go under the knife because of all the societal pressure. It is to a point where many of these people's lives are so heavily correlated to appearance, that they feel it is not purely out of vanity, but it is a necessity to change the way they look. In the article, people are denied jobs due to their appearance. Many jobs we take for granted here in the U.S. that have really no relevance to looks have an appearance and height requirement in Asia. It's absolutely ridiculous! The article points out that:

"The culturally loaded issue today is the number of Asians looking to remake themselves to look more Caucasian. It's a charge many deny, although few would argue that under the relentless bombardment of Hollywood, satellite TV, and Madison Avenue, Asia's aesthetic ideal has changed drastically... Asians are increasingly asking their surgeons for wider eyes, longer noses and fuller breasts—features not typical of the race."

Sure, these features may be pleasant to look at, but that doesn't automatically make people who lack these features ugly. In the Time article, people who lack these features are almost treated sub-human. Their standards are absurd! Asians look a certain way for a reason. It's what make Asians distinctly Asian. Why subjugate Asian women to despise what mother-nature intended?

Big eyes, small eyes, tall, short, full breasts, small breasts, these are all features that are uniquely beautiful in their own way. Why should everyone have to adhere to a single standard of beauty. No one should have to be made to feel horrible about themselves because they weren't born with certain physical attributes in life. What do you think?

I am all for genetic diversity!

Stina