Media Influences On Female Genital Plastic Surgery

In today’s society there is an immense pressure on women to have a beautiful body. Over the last few decades the concept of what a beautiful body is has drastically changed and has become more complex. Now, even very young girls are beginning to hate their bodies because they do not live up to the standards set by the media (Barbara 7). A somewhat new way to modify one’s body that has become popular in the last few years is female genital plastic surgery. If differing views on female genital plastic surgery from females and males, cultural backgrounds, and outside influences are studied, I believe that the results will show that females are more critical about their genital appearance than males and that females and males have a different

Media influences, especially pornography, have drastically changed the meaning of normal when it comes to vaginas. Women tend to believe that there is a standard vagina and that theirs must live up to it. “Exposure to images of the ‘perfect vagina’, for instance pornographic altered images, may lead to the development of unrealistic concepts of normal genitalia” (Barbara 5). Not only images, but also the growing popularity of increased shaving of pubic hair, which leaves the vulva exposed, may also lead to women over criticizing their genitalia. This belief of a standard vagina will push women towards female plastic surgery. This is especially true when cosmetic surgery industries use “beautifying the vulva, increased sexual responsiveness and she looks like a 16-year-old now” (Tiefer 5) to describe the results of their surgeries. Besides influences from the media, there are also cultural influences that push women to get these surgeries. An example of this is the hymenoplasty procedure, a surgical procedure that replaces a woman’s hymen. In some cultures or religions that condemn premarital sex, women may get this procedure to avoid ostracism after engaging in premarital sex. There is not just one particular influence on female genital plastic surgery, but one thing is for certain, it presents many ethical

These types of surgeries are fairly new and there has not been a lot of evidence to prove the lifelong benefits advertisers promise. “No adequate studies have been published assessing the long term satisfaction, safety, and complication rates for these procedures” (Braun 6). This lack of reliable data brings female genital plastic surgery into question and whether or not it is medically beneficial to have these procedures done. Those in charge of advertising for these procedures are deceiving because they do not include the risks of surgery and the pain of recovery. Another issue that aesthetic female genital plastic surgery creates, is whether or not the procedure will really help the patient. Most physicians believe that surgery should be a last resort and that is why most “referred their patients to either a psychiatrist or psychologist for a comprehensive evaluation prior to considering surgical intervention” (Lowenstein 9). Although some may see these procedures as unethical, it is one’s right to do whatever is desired with one’s body. Therefore, “if a woman’s choice is to have cosmetic surgery, it is her right” (Cain 5). As for me, I believe that females’ genitalias are all different, there is not just one version that everyone needs to be. I think getting genital plastic surgery to fix a functional problem is