What does it take to be beautiful? Some would say that you have to be born that way, that if you’re anything other than Hollywood-perfect, you’re just not beautiful. Some associate confidence with beauty, therefore justifying thousands of dollars spent on “corrective” surgery to make their waists a little thinner or their lips a little fuller.
In my opinion, most cosmetic surgeries attempt to “fix” something that isn’t broken. What is so wrong with the way we were created?
As someone who believes in God, I can’t justify going under the knife to become a more beautiful part of his creation. He created me this way, so why should I change that?
Our televisions are not only plagued with countless programs that are filled with picture-perfect women but also with reality shows following the process of plastic surgery.
“Extreme Makeover,” which was cancelled in 2007, featured men and women who were not happy with their physical appearance before their on-camera transformations.
Each episode ended with an emotional reunion of family members and friends who could not believe how beautiful their loved ones had become after the countless, painful procedures. Many people on this show underwent breast implants, lip-augmentation, face-lifts, tummy tucks, etc.
I’m slightly ashamed to say that I have been sucked into watching shows such as this from time to time. I’ve even found myself saying, “Wow, this chick looks so much better now.”
What bothers me the most about this is that young girls across the globe are growing up thinking that the only way they will ever be considered beautiful is if they are 5’10”, 120 pounds, with flawless skin and perfectly proportioned features.
This problem not only affects young girls but also older women. Along with age come wrinkles, a normal part of life. Yet, so many people are alarmed by this normal part of life and do everything they can to postpone it and “take a few years” off their faces with anti-aging creams and cosmetic surgery.
What if everyone set aside their wrinkle-cream money and spent it on something a little more worthwhile, such as helping decrease world hunger or the education of inner-city kids?
The New York Times published an article on March 28 by Phyllis Korkki that discussed the 3 percent increase in cosmetic surgery last year, despite our weakened economy. In this article, Korkki says, “If the economy gets any worse, though, more people may be inclined to view their wrinkles as a sign of wisdom and to settle for improving their inner beauty.

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