To Age or Not to Age

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that those in the media and public eye are constantly scrutinized regarding their looks and their age. Women, more so than men, are expected to appear young and vibrant, and many have turned to plastic surgery to achieve this goal. More and more men in the media, however, are also jumping on the surgery bandwagon to compete with their younger male counterparts entering the industry. The writer discusses that this move toward plastic surgery is a wonderful method of turning back the clock on aging as long as it is a voluntary, informed choice, and not done with trepidation as a desperate act to restore youth. The writer argues that having cosmetic plastic surgery should remain a personal choice and whether one decides to alter, improve, or enhance their appearance should not be a reflection, either positively or negatively on their character, as it should not on the individual who decides to forego the procedure. Although those physically attractive people in the media and in society in general often receive preferential treatment and are perceived by others as more sociable and intelligent, it is not perception that is important, but how one feels about themselves on the inside that really counts. The writer concludes that this is what should lead us regarding any decision we should make about the media, plastic surgery, and our lives in general.

From the Paper:

"One such example of a female broadcaster who has refused to change her appearance is that of Stephanie Edwards, who had hosted the televised versions of the Rose Parade for many years and was the ongoing spokesperson for Lucky's Supermarkets in their broadcast and print advertisements. Her co-host for the yearly parades was a male game show host and media celebrity, Wink Martindale, who is now the spokesperson for Orbitz, a travel agency. While Stephanie's older co-host, Wink, continued to receive his 5-year contracts, Stephanie was given 1-year contracts instead. Additionally, her contract with Lucky's restricted her to radio spots only. Today, Stephanie Edwards is nowhere to be seen in television media, however, as stated Wink, looking as if he has had some "work" done himself, is successfully doing television commercials for Orbitz."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "2007 Report of the 2006 Statistics." American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2007). August 24, 2007 <http://www.plasticsurgery.org/media/Press_Kits/Procedural- Statistics-Press-Kit-Index.cfm>.
• Ashman, O., and Donlon, M.M., and Levy, B.R.. "Revision of Older Television Characters: A Stereotype-Awareness Intervention." Journal of Social Issues 61.2 (2005): 307.
• Bartlett, Scott P., and Chang, Ben, and LaRossa, Don, and Low, David W., and Sarwar, David B., and Whitaker, Linton A., and Zanville, Holly A.. "Mental Health Histories and Psychiatric Medication Usage Among Persons Who Sought Cosmetic Surgery." Plastic Reconstructive Surgery 114.7 (2004): 1927- 1933.
• Brandth, Berit, and Kvande, Elin, and Morgan, D.H.J.. Gender, Bodies and Work. Hampshire, England: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2005.
• Browne, Colette V.. Women, Feminism and Aging. New York: Springer, 1998.

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