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Abstract

This dissertation researches to what extent and in what ways cosmetic surgery is empowering to women, and in what ways it forces women to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. Cosmetic surgery is increasingly on the rise within the UK and the rest of the world, according to the international survey of cosmetic procedures, compared to 2017 the use of; botulinum toxin (botox) is up 17.4%, Hyaluronic acid (filler) is up 11.6% and breast augmentations are up by 6.1% (ISAPS, 2018). Extensive research discusses the influences and motivations on women undergoing cosmetic surgery, and how it impacts their identity (Davis, 1995; Featherstone, 2000). A lot of the research poses cosmetic surgery in either a negative (Wolf, 1990) or a positive light (Heggerstaller, 2019), which generates debates surrounding women’s agency within a society laden by sexist ideologies (Eriksen, 2011), however much of the research neglects to encapsulate both the pathologies and aspects of empowerment. Hence this dissertation researches in what ways cosmetic surgery is empowering and in what ways it makes women conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
Qualitative data was collected through semi structured interviews, from 8 women who had previously undergone cosmetic surgery. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data using a combination of inductive and deductive coding. Elements of empowerment were drawn upon including agency, authority, alternative options and positive outcome within the analysis in order to investigate in what ways cosmetic surgery is empowering (Giddens, 1991; Kabeer, 1999). This led to the conclusion that the women interviewed seemed happy with their procedures and more confident with their bodies, improving well-being and giving a sense of empowerment. However, the women interviewed seemed largely influenced by social media, as it normalised getting cosmetic surgery, in addition they easily trusted the clinician administering the procedure, after receiving a good recommendation from another person. This challenged the notion that women have agency in their decisions to undergo cosmetic surgery within the context of a patriarchal society. Therefore, this research managed to encapsulate both the aspects of cosmetic surgery which lead women to conform to beauty standards, and those aspects of cosmetic surgery which empower women.

Course: Sociology with Pyschology - BSc (Hons) - C1509

Date Deposited: 2020-10-13

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13567.html