This is the blog for CTCS 673, a course at USC that will situate debates in cultural studies about the formation of identity and the relationship of production to consumption within an analysis of the fashion and beauty industries, especially as these industries have been represented within popular media culture.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thinking about plastic surgery
Following on our brief discussion of plastic surgery, here's a story with some interesting (if slightly depressing) stats...
The fashion industry (and cosmetic plastic surgery is certainly quite fashionable these days) has some unlikely players. Essig talks about one of them: plastic surgeons. Her sympathy for them runs against the prevailing stereotype: that they are men who compromise the self esteem of their insecure, primarily female patients for their own monetary gain. To share Essig's sympathies - that they only perform operations in order to support their families - is challenging when they play such an integral role in this troubling cultural epidemic. At any point, these surgeons could abstain from performing cosmetic procedures at exorbitant costs.
Granted, doctors on the whole make far less than they did thirty years ago, partly due to the rise of HMOs. Nonetheless, plastic surgery remains a lucrative field because these organizations don't cover procedures they rightly deem frivolous and not medically necessary. If many people make professional decisions based purely on their pocketbook, then can't responsible plastic surgeons follow suit and put their foot down at any time?
Entering medical school usually sometime in their early twenties, young, aspiring doctors know that if they excel they can look forward to generously supporting themselves and their families. A student who matriculates purely for altruistic reasons is a rare find. For most, helping people and even saving lives is merely an added bonus. No wonder medical students churn out graduates who are immune to such concerns. It's time for medical schools to teach not just the occupational skills and knowledge required but an ethical compass as well. Only with actions like these can the fashion culture begin to move in a healthier direction.
Sorry for all the post deletions, folks. I'm getting back in the habit of writing today after taking a break following MA exams, so my OCD encourages me to make refinements to my post every time I reread it. I promise i it won't happen next week.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe fashion industry (and cosmetic plastic surgery is certainly quite fashionable these days) has some unlikely players. Essig talks about one of them: plastic surgeons. Her sympathy for them runs against the prevailing stereotype: that they are men who compromise the self esteem of their insecure, primarily female patients for their own monetary gain. To share Essig's sympathies - that they only perform operations in order to support their families - is challenging when they play such an integral role in this troubling cultural epidemic. At any point, these surgeons could abstain from performing cosmetic procedures at exorbitant costs.
ReplyDeleteGranted, doctors on the whole make far less than they did thirty years ago, partly due to the rise of HMOs. Nonetheless, plastic surgery remains a lucrative field because these organizations don't cover procedures they rightly deem frivolous and not medically necessary. If many people make professional decisions based purely on their pocketbook, then can't responsible plastic surgeons follow suit and put their foot down at any time?
Entering medical school usually sometime in their early twenties, young, aspiring doctors know that if they excel they can look forward to generously supporting themselves and their families. A student who matriculates purely for altruistic reasons is a rare find. For most, helping people and even saving lives is merely an added bonus. No wonder medical students churn out graduates who are immune to such concerns. It's time for medical schools to teach not just the occupational skills and knowledge required but an ethical compass as well. Only with actions like these can the fashion culture begin to move in a healthier direction.
Sorry for all the post deletions, folks. I'm getting back in the habit of writing today after taking a break following MA exams, so my OCD encourages me to make refinements to my post every time I reread it. I promise i it won't happen next week.
ReplyDelete