Using Plastic Surgery to Get Ahead
“Attractive people tend to get paid more, and they’re promoted more often, and because of that, plastic surgery procedures are becoming more common.” http://www.blogher.com/would-you-get-plastic-surgery-further-your-career#readmore
After studying business for 4 years and getting a degree in human resource management, to say that the corporate world is competitive is an understatement. You must use every edge you have in order to get your foot in the door when you are in your 20’s, and it does not end there. When I decided to get breast implants at 19, I knew I would be graduating in a year and be fighting through the list of applicants for my shot at the future I had always wanted. Although I did not necessarily get breast implants for the sole purpose of being an appealing hire, the thought did cross my mind, especially as I looked into the future.
Age discrimination is real. I’m sure the 40-somethings would agree with me. At 20, I knew that I needed to get an edge in HR quickly, before I started aging, and begin building up skills so that I would be indispensable to the industry. 40 would come soon enough, and I knew that I did not even want to appear even close to that age for years to come. I never wanted to feel like my job was in question because I was not looking my prime.
When I decided to get breast implants, I considered it an investment in my future. I had already pursued an education and I knew that I could compete in that arena. I began working with corporate recruiters at my college campus so that I would become more comfortable in interviewing situations. And I already knew that it was important to dress for the job you want to have. Breast implants were more of a foresight, my strategic anti-aging plan to maintain my edge into my later years. I not only wanted a good entry-level job, I wanted an exceptional, lasting career.
Not only is there pressure from the media to look amazing, but it’s trickling into the work place. Research already indicates that beautiful people are treated more favorably and given more opportunities. The enticement of plastic surgery can be hard to avoid, especially when you think it’s devoid of serious risks. When everyone is looking to one-up the other, new standards are being established, which now include going under the knife. I cannot help but wonder what measures we will take to stay competitive in another 20 years?
~Kacey
I think there is a huge difference between being a beautiful 25-year-old, and a 50-year-old who is nipped and tucked into looking like a beautiful 25-year-old. The latter can look like a freak of nature, and who’s going to see anyone so overtly concerned with her appearance as an authority figure? You know, the kind of person who can make the big bucks and run the show?
In the acting biz, especially, I think plastic surgery is backfiring on a lot of actresses who go under the knife so they can still look good enough for starlet roles. But honestly, who wants to watch Meg Ryan or Demi Moore in movie about twenty- or thirty-somethings when we all know she’s in her mid-forties and has grown children who could soon make her a grandmother? That’s why all the juicy roles for older women are going to those who are aging gracefully and beautifully, like Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett.
Comment by Gloria — May 27, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
Yes, this is so true in most jobs, however with me it was the opposite. Being the Manager of the IT group, the prettier you were, the less serious you were taken.
I’m not even sure why I got breast implants other than I hated being so thin as I could never go to work wearing anything low cut or even showing cleavage. In my career, women with blonde hair, blue eyes and big boobs are not considered to be smart so I hid my breasts as best I could and always wore glasses so that I would fit that profile of being an intelligent smart woman. I even wore bras that made my breasts look smaller than they were! Even at that, I found that I always had to prove myself and work harder than most.
In my experience most attractive women with big breasts are not considered to be smart which we know is just ridiculous. Looks have nothing to do with your IQ.
I can certainly see how some jobs really depend on your looks and breast size. That is a real shame. So my experience was completely different from that.
This is something else that women should think about before getting implants. Like me, I had to hide my breasts to be successful. Big breasts would have labeled me as being dumb and I would have never succeeded or been successful.
Comment by bethtaylor — May 27, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
You guys make such good points. We, as women, are always trying to prove that we can make it in the world, and often struggle between what society tells us and what we know we should do to compete in a man’s world. Do we hike up the skirt or wear pants? Should we pull our hair back or let the curls fall freely in the job interview? It would be so nice if there was an even playing field. Men put on a suit and are done with it; women wear a suit and have to decide skirt or pants, hair, makeup, jewelry, and everything else.
Comment by Kacey — May 29, 2008 @ 2:19 pm