The medicalization of feminine beauty: A study of cosmetic surgery.
Item
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Title
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The medicalization of feminine beauty: A study of cosmetic surgery.
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Identifier
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AAI9997107
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identifier
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9997107
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Creator
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Mark, Marie Elizabeth.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Katryn Silver
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Date
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2001
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, General | Women's Studies
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Abstract
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Cosmetic surgery represents the newest area of medicalization in which medical doctors are expanding the use of medical knowledge and technology to encompass appearance issues. Moreover, because women comprise the majority of those who employ cosmetic surgery, gender is an important dimension in any discussion of this phenomenon.;In my analysis of cosmetic surgery, I employed the feminist cultural model used by Bordo (1993) in her analysis of eating disorders. More specifically, I conducted a qualitative, in depth interview survey of 26 women who had undergone cosmetic surgery. Among the issues explored were the conscious motivations and feelings experienced by these women, their perceptions of the ideal woman's body type, decision-making issues, and the perceived and actual benefits and risks associated with their surgeries.;A number of my narratives revealed pressure from others, both subtle and overt, concerning their decisions to undergo cosmetic surgery. Among them were comments from significant others, as well as the influence of the images of models and actresses featured prominently in the media, particularly on the younger women interviewed. Other findings concerned the increasingly accepted perceived connection between physical health and beauty, and the role that cosmetic surgeons play in the assessments of what needs to be surgically altered. One finding that was both unexpected and surprising was the apparent lack of awareness among most of those interviewed of the influence of sociocultural factors on their decisions to undergo cosmetic surgery.;At the end of my study, suggestions were made concerning possible avenues of future research.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
