BODY MODIFICATION THROUGH COSMETIC SURGERYSociety and Media’s InfluencesSOSC 3930 / University and Society /

Presentation Agenda Part 1: Foucauldian Framework

The Construction of Docile Bodies Thesis

Independent and Dependent Variables Discourses in Popular Media

The Attainment of Beauty and Perfection Minorities and Ethnic Cosmetic Surgery

Personal Life Enhancement Medicalization of the Female Body

The Body as a Commodity A Complete Transformation

Overall Course Connections

Part 1: The FrameworkFoucault’s Archaeology of Power: Construction of a Docile Body1) Objectified Body:

This is supported by the objectification theory, in which a person takes an external perspective of their physical appearance. (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997)

Self-objectifying individuals equate their identity and self-worth in terms of their body as an object to be looked at by others. (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997)

The media emphasizes isolated body parts such as buttocks, cleavage, stomach (Kolbe & Albanese, 1996), therefore conveying the message of the body as an important aspect of sexual desirability. (Aubrey, 2006)

The objectified body learns to separate the mind from the body, thus supporting the concept of body parts as a commodity.

Part 1: The FrameworkFoucault’s Archaeology of Power: Construction of a Docile Body2) Controlled Body:

Inscribing the self : The gaze controls and punishes (Keller, 2005) The normalizing gaze controls what people do and how they see themselves--

establishing a binary system (Normal vs. Abnormal) Normalization: Control mechanism causing individuals to be regulated by the

disciplinary gaze of the dominant culture Body Surveillance: Women are bound by idealized images and consequently feel

a desire to adhere to that standard. (Engeln-Maddox, 2005)

Part 1: The FrameworkFoucault’s Archaeology of Power: Construction of a Docile Body3) Disciplined Body:

Techniques of Discipline: fear of becoming abnormal, fear of failing expectations Foucault’s care of self drives people to work on self-improvement (docile bodies

to be used, transformed, and improved) Patients willingly turns into a docile body through the disciplinary gaze of

surgeons. (Martin, E. 1993)

Thesis

The consumerist culture of cosmetic surgery can be attributed to goals of aspiration and emulation in which people are perceiving surgery to be more accessible, less invasive and normalized by society. These messages are shaped through popular media discourses. Media promotes the view that one can enhance their personal life through changing their outer appearance. The physical body is shown as a malleable object to be modified in order to match their outer appearance with their inner character. This is further amplified by the pressures to conform to idealized beauty norms as defined by media images. Although the media frequently discusses the implications involved, the general notion is that cosmetic surgery is risky but ultimately worthwhile.

Thesis – Independent vs. Dependent Variables

Personal Life Enhancement

Attaining Beauty & Perfection

The Complete Transformation

POPULAR MEDIA DISCOURSES

Normalized

Removal of Social Stigma

Acceptable

Desirable

COSMETIC SURGERY

Context of AnalysisCosmetic Surgery Defined:Refers to invasive surgical procedures (e.g. Breast implants, liposuction, facelift). Cosmetic surgery is done for aesthetic purposes where surgery is used to alter “normal” and physically healthy bodies. Source: Canadian Society for Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery

Focus on the Female Perspective:In 2003, over 302 000 surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic enhancement procedures were performed in Canada, 85.4% of which were performed on women. Source: Medicard Finance, 2005

Discourse #1: Attainment of Beauty & Perfection

Course Kit Readings Even in instances where there is evidence of critical processing, it is

clear that women are still bound by idealized images and consequently feel a desire to adhere to that standard. (Engeln-Maddox, 2005)

The finding show that social comparison is associated with body dissatisfaction, as very few people are able to match the strict definitions of beauty as constructed by the media. (Engeln-Maddox, 2005)

This is further explored by correlational studies in which a link has been established between idealized media images and body image disturbance. (Botta, 1999; Harrison & Cantor, 1997)

Discourse #1: Popular Media

Christian: “When you stop striving for

perfection, you might as well be dead.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EpMit9aXi4

Discourse #1: Popular Media

Discourse #1: Popular Media

“I was never the prettiest girl… I was more like the

frumpy sidekick to Lauren”

“I just love boobs. They make me feel more

womanly.”

“… I plan to keep using surgery to make me as

perfect as I can be...surgery is always so rewarding.”

Discourse #1: Critical Media

Discourse #1: Attainment of Beauty & Perfection

Subtheme: Minorities and Ethnic Plastic Surgery Minorities are excluded from many popular media and are relegated to

secondary roles. (Eschholz, Bufkin & Long, 2002), this promotes the view that individuals need to erase their ethnic traits in order to succeed in a white dominated society

More than 1.3 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed on ethnic patients in 2004, an increase of 44% since 2000: 14% of all cosmetic plastic surgery patients in the US were Asian, black, or Hispanic. (Euromonitor, 2006)

Discourse #2: Personal Life Enhancement Individuals use the justification that cosmetic surgery will enhance

functioning, health and size. (Heyes, 2007) Representations show cosmetic surgery as a liberating experience where

an individual is given the power to take control on their life (Davis, 2002) Approximately one third of cosmetic surgery articles featured in popular

women’s magazines between 1980 and 1995 feature explicit claims of positive mental health benefits in addition to physical changes. (Sullivan, 2001)

Belief that by conforming to beauty norms, one will be able to achieve greater success and happiness

Discourse #2: Popular Media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NaVeOHhl00

Discourse #2: Popular Media

Moe Szyslak from the Simpsons is portrayed as a short tempered, suicidal, and unlucky bartender

Frequently described as ugly, and has an almost nonexistent love life

In Season 11, Moe undergoes plastic surgery which enables him to fulfil his dreams of becoming a soap star, and to attract the attentions of many women

Discourse #2: Critical Media

Discourse #2: Personal Life Enhancement

Subtheme: Medicalization of the Female Body The linkages between cosmetic surgery and enhanced emotional

wellbeing relies upon a framework of medicalization—seemingly nonmedical issues become defined as a problem in need of medical treatment

Medical professionals are portrayed as experts on beauty (Polonijo, Carpiano, 2008)

Professional opinions are frequently quoted in magazine articles (57%) in order to provide benefit and risk information, and reassure readers that cosmetic surgery can be a safe and beneficial choice. (Sullivan, 2001)

Subtheme: Medicalization of the Female Body

Christian: “When you stop striving for

perfection, you might as well be dead.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EpMit9aXi4

Discourse #3: The Complete Transformation Cosmetic surgery has led to a contemporary discourse in which one

desires to match their physical appearance with their inner self. (Heyes, 2007)

From the success of movies such as She’s All That, to the circulation rates of People magazine, the idea of a fairy tale transformation is resonating deeply with audiences. (Brooks, 2004)

Ignore the complexities associated with creating homogeneous bodies, but instead deploys allusions of fairy tales. (Heyes, 2007)

The fairy tale metaphor is psychologically fulfilling as it emphasizes the turmoil and unhappiness before culminating in a happy ever after. (Heyes, 2007)

Discourse #3: Popular Media Cosmetic surgery makeover shows use

before and after pictures use a narrative of a fairy tale transformation

The objective of the show is to completely revolutionize the physical appearance of contestants through makeup, wardrobe, hair and intensive body modification through cosmetic surgery.

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Discourse #3: Popular Media Soaps often feature plot lines involving

characters undergoing plastic surgery to become exact look-alikes of other characters.

Social Cognitive Theory posits that portions of an individual’s knowledge acquisition can be related to observing others. (Russell, 2005)

Gives an unrealistic view of the potential outcome of cosmetic surgery as a vehicle for transformation.

Discourse #3: Popular Media In January 2010, news outlets reported of a Chinese woman seeking

cosmetic surgery to look like Jessica Alba

Discourse #3: Critical Media

Discourse #3: The Complete Transformation

Subtheme: The Body as a Commodity Body has been transformed into a component that can be reformed and

sculpted to create a new and improved commodity to be purchased. (Bordo, Class Lecture)

Objectification Theory: Based on the premise that women in particular are inclined to take on an external view of their physical selves which in turn promotes that view of measuring one’s self worth in terms of the body. (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997)

There is a tendency for a focus to be put on isolated body parts such as the stomach, buttocks, cleavage, legs, (Sommers-Flanagan & Davis, 1993) which teaches individuals to view the physical body as a commodity.

Discourse #3: Popular Media

Hollywood’s Most Wanted Parts

Lips Eyes Body Jawline

Conclusion Popular media is presenting cosmetic surgery as a normal practice for

attaining beauty and perfection, personal life enhancement and achieving transformation

By presenting women of average and above-average appearance pursuing surgical cosmetic enhancement, this impacts our perception of what is considered beautiful and how to conform to beauty norms

Future research and greater public awareness is necessary to establish link between media images and decisions to undergo cosmetic surgery

Widescreen Test Pattern (16:9)

Aspect Ratio Test

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