Why would kids do that?
Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised in this era of vanity and rampant plastic surgery. A new survey says that more than 88 percent of females, ages 15-25, in our country would change something about their bodies if it was easily feasible.
The share amongst boys is slightly lower, but still strikingly high at 73 percent.
The body parts that girls are least happy with are bellies (46 percent), thighs (29 percent), bottoms (19 percent) and breasts (18 percent). Boys would love to improve their bellies and muscles (18 percent), chests, mouths and cheeks (14 percent).
But not all of them would consider plastic surgery. The InSites Consulting survey revealed about 15 percent of U.S. youth consider doing so.
In contrast, Insites says, girls in the U.S. get the most pride out of their eyes (48 percent), hair (36 percent) and breasts (18 percent). Only 7 percent are proud of their entire bodies. Three times as many boys (21 percent) are proud of it all, but most of them are mainly proud of their eyes (34 percent), hair (22 percent) and skin (14 percent).
Interestingly, teens and young adults surveyed in 16 countries show the U.S. scores slightly below average.
“The current generation of youth is often referred to by scientists as the most narcissistic group ever," says Joeri Van den Bergh, Gen Y expert at InSites Consulting and author of the book “How Cool Brands Stay Hot.”
“Therefore,” Van den Bergh says, “it is not surprising that looking good is so important. But this definitely is not only valid for youngsters and is a broader scientific fact. Just think of the increased importance of product and packaging design, or of the increased care given to interior design.”
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Jun 30, 2012 at 10:05 a.m.
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janesvillian likes to take shots at people but is incapable of handling a debate.
Jun 30, 2012 at 10:03 a.m.
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birdman, you are correct. But it's incumbent on parents to make children understand the problem. The psych-industry calling it a mental disorder makes it a mental disorder rather than a parental, educational matter.
Jun 29, 2012 at 7:37 p.m.
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In waiting room at clinic three days ago two "Seventeen" magazines lanuished on the table next to me like a pair of hookers under the street light.
. . .
Having two granddaughters, the older one approaching middle school age, I riffled through the pages of one so as to get an idea of what the girls will be exposed to when they get to “a certain age.” I was aghast.
. . .
Parading, and lurking, on nearly every page were scores of messages to impressionable females as to why their current appearance is lacking. Why it needs upgrading to be cool and valued. Why the girl(-s) do not measure up to “acceptable” societal expectations.
. . .
Combine that with seemingly countless other “messages” which bombard our youth via radio; TV; music industry; internet, and other mass vehicles it is no wonder girls/young women will often seek change.
Jun 29, 2012 at 1:07 p.m.
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janesvillian, you don't get it. All the psych-industry does is continually broaden its customer base (according to them there are over 400 mental disorders which require an endless stream of dangerous drugs to "medicate."). In this cosmetic, superficial society thousands of people who rely too much on their appearance will allow themselves to be medicated and stigmatized with a mental disorder. That medication and stimatization will only harm them.
Any severe problem with someone's appearance is perfectly described in O/C disorder. BDD will only "legitimize" as a "mental disorder" what is really only a minor consideration and will draw more customers into the fold. O/C disorder when properly applied should weed out the people who don't need to be medicated and stigmatized.
By the way, what's the psych-industry's name for the unprovoked rudeness of your comment. Is it a condition secondary to something being wrong with one of your body parts?
Jun 29, 2012 at 10 a.m.
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gazettefan, that's idiotic. They didn't "create" the disorder. The disorder exists in patients already. By defining it they allow the disorder to be treated. If you think it's a bad idea to help people get psychologically healthy, I don't know what to do with a person like you, as you apparently lack all manner of compassion -- a popular mental disorder these days.
Jun 29, 2012 at 9:33 a.m.
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It doesn't help that the psychiatric industry has created another mental disorder. From Wik:
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"Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD, also body dysmorphia, dysmorphic syndrome; originally dysmorphophobia) is a type of mental illness, a somatoform disorder, wherein the affected person is concerned with body image, manifested as excessive concern about and preoccupation with a perceived defect of their physical features. The person complains of a defect in either one feature or several features of their body; or vaguely complains about their general appearance, which causes psychological distress that causes clinically significant distress or impairs occupational or social functioning. Often BDD co-occurs with emotional depression and anxiety, social withdrawal or social isolation."
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They've pathologized every manner of human thought and action.
Jun 29, 2012 at 7:18 a.m.
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“When a man gets up to speak, people listen,
then look.
When a woman gets up, people look,
then if they like what they see,
they listen.”
- - - Pauline Frederick,
American broadcast journalist
This quote sums up a big part of "our" question.
Jun 29, 2012 at 12:42 a.m.
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In regards to girls - just watch the documentary "Miss Representation." Girls and women are constantly scrutinized for their physical appearances, and they are bombarded with image-related crap from the media constantly. I worry about future generations of girls so much.
Jun 28, 2012 at 7:42 p.m.
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Sounds like a lot of kids missed health class. If they want to improve their bellies, thighs, and muscles it all starts in the kitchen. Eat right...duh.
Jun 28, 2012 at 6:15 p.m.
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They took a survey that said "Would you consider plastic surgery". It's a somewhat loaded question.
My point is that 15 percent of youth are not considering plastic surgery. However, 15 percent would consider plastic surgery.
I think there is a big difference in how things are phrased.
Jun 28, 2012 at 4:10 p.m.
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Why would they consider plastic surgery?
Greg Peck
Jun 28, 2012 at 3:41 p.m.
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Greg, perhaps I missed it. Why would kids to what?
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