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Writer's pictureAdaeze Onejeme

Has Pursuing the Perfect “Body Image” Gone Too Far?


Intro


Do people regret plastic surgery? Are people already considered beautiful before their surgery? Does plastic surgery play a part in unrealistic beauty standards? Do some people overdo it with plastic surgery? Does social media pressure you to get plastic surgery? Does plastic surgery make you happier?


The popularity of plastic surgery has increased immensely, especially in this day and age of social media. The pressure to get a BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) or boob augmentation is huge for women, mostly because of celebrities like Kim Kardashian, who have painted the stereotypic image of what women in 2022 should look like: skinny waist, curvy hips and big breasts.



Under the Knife and The Effects On Our Mindset


If you were the only person in the world, do you believe you would still get a body surgical procedure or even consider it? Some people may get the surgery for their own personal reasons. In other words, people get the surgery because they want to change something physical about themselves without the influence of others. So, perhaps people have their own innate needs and desires they want to change about themselves. Meanwhile, others get surgery for other people to view and judge. In particular, with the pressure of the internet/social media and society’s beauty standards

, along with receiving a confidence boost or instant gratification from others.


People who have gone through body augmentation have made obvious physical changes. But do they also make mental changes before and after a surgical procedure? Is surgery just an excuse for people to hide something deep inside themselves?



Erica Banks’ Ideal Look


Erica Banks is an upcoming female hip-hop/rap artist from Texas whose song “Buss it” blew up on TikTok. Her song started the infamous #BussItChallenge back in 2021. The #BussItChallenge was a trend that involved a person transitioning from one video with their regular or tacky outfit to another video where they are all dressed up in a hot or attractive outfit.


Erica Banks took to Instagram to rant about her list of physical requirements for friends who want to come club with her.


Erica Banks states,


“If she don’t look how I want her to look physically, I don’t want her to come because the look of everything is so important to me. Like, if she ain’t thick enough, nope. Hair not did good enough. Nope. Can’t dress, nope. <laugh>, uh, skinny. Nope. <laugh>. And it’s like, I don’t feel like I’m discriminating. I just want a certain type of look. She could be the sweetest girl I ever met in my life, but if she don’t look the part, I don’t want her to come. Like, that’s just not the vibe I’m on. Now, she can come to the cookout, she could come to a listening party. But the club, I feel like you gotta look a certain way to come.”


Although people are entitled to their own opinions and standards for a friend, her requirements may seem insensitive to others. She argues that she would rather be around friends with a certain look, and people will need to have that look to hang out with her in the club because of her celebrity image.


Body Positivity - Surgery or No Surgery?


Is body positivity all about loving the way you were born naturally? Or is body positivity loving your body with or without surgical procedures? We might not be 100% sure about this answer. But body positivity is about not shaming others for their choices.


Changing something about yourself may not necessarily mean you “hate” yourself. But be mindful and make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.


If you can’t live a fulfilled life without a body modification or a couple of procedures, then it is up to your discretion. However, make it your decision, not someone else’s. Do what makes you happy.

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