Feminism And Plastic Surgery

Feminism and Plastic Surgery

Assignment #2

Due 10/17

According to the Manhattan Center for Vaginal Surgery website labiaplasty is the reduction or reshaping of the skin that covers the clitoris and vaginal opening. Many women are turning to this procedure because of reasons stemming from tearing during childbirth and/or intercourse, aging or just the unlucky draw of genetics. One reason why some women decide to go under the knife and choose surgery for medical reasons is because there can be discomfort that is caused by an oversized or thick labia. This discomfort can be caused from everyday activities such as wearing tight clothes or engaging in physical activities ranging from simply just walking or participating in many different sports. Cosmetically this type of surgery is becoming more and more popular because women are unhappy or embarrassed with the way their labia look. Often this affects sexual relationships and self esteem. Some women just want to look as beautiful as they can for themselves and their partner. With the growing acceptance of society to sexuality and popular exposure to pornographic magazines and movies, these type of surgeries are becoming less uncommon.

Vaginoplasty which is very similar to labiaplasty is described Manhattan Center for Vaginal Surgery as the rejuvenation that removes excess vaginal lining and tightening the surrounding soft tissues and muscles. Childbirth usually, aging, and genetic factors often cause the vaginal muscles to loosen, tear, and weaken. The diameter of the vagina gets bigger and there is a loss of feeling and pleasure. Vaginoplasty returns the vagina to "pre-pregnancy" state and reestablishes sexual excitement and pleasure for woman.

In our readings we were asked to take a body image quiz and in this quiz it asks "If you could change one think about your body, what would it be?" A surprising 100 percent answered that there is something that they would change. This just shows how much of an impact body image has on our society and why surgeries that go beyond what people can see with our clothes on are resorting to surgeries that go beneath what is hidden is clothing. I think that it is really sad that this impact of cosmetic surgeries