While creating this blog, gathering research, and analyzing my results, I believe I have found the answer to my original thesis question. Why are different cultures around the world mutilating their bodies to be beautiful? What is this saying about inner beauty vs. physical beauty?
The question itself has many answers. The reasons why different cultures around the world are mutilating their bodies to be beautiful, is for; cultural acceptance within the community, the look of innocence and gentility, the idea of toughness and fertility, to change ones self do to personal doubts and self-conscienceness, for religious beliefs, to appear small and weak to raise the ego of the male race, to attract attention, to show social status, and to see what they believe is beautiful when they look in the mirror.
Each one of the answers goes out to a different culture, but their are also many other cultures that I did not look at in this project, but their reasons for mutilating their bodies are similar to the answers I have provided. The truth is, I believe these women care more about being beautiful then protecting their own bodies. Women break their bones, starve themselves, cut their faces, and stretch their necks not caring about the medical risks involve. This way of life for many cultures shows the importance of outside beauty, and the insignificance of inner beauty. Researching for this blog also showed me that although some cultures value a specific physical appearance, sometimes the appearance respresents a personality trait. Overall, I learned throughout my research that mutilation to achieve beauty shows how much more signicant outer beauty is then inner beauty. I enjoyed my research topic because I've seen it happening in my own country and wanted to learn about how and why it was happening in other places. I believe I achieved my goal of learning about my topic and answered my thesis question.
Obsessed with Plastic Surgery
I was disgusted by many of the bizarre mutiliating traditions of beauty I had found so far, but realized that Americans have physical transformations as well. The image above is of 28 year old Jenny, who has already had 26 plastic surgeries! She says that once she had one surgery, she became obsessed with changing her body. She had a bad relationship with her husband, who pressured her to get some of her first surgeries. After they divorced, she continued to change her body. "She's also had Botox, cheek implants, three nose jobs, venners on her teeth, three lip implants, two boob jobs, three breast lifts, and libosuction on her arms, stomach, hips, thighs, and knees." (oprah.com) The cost of these surgeries is up to 80,000 dollars. Do you think it's worth it??
Paudaung Woman Wearing Neck Rings
In Paudaung, Burma, women wear brass neck rings around their neck to lengthen it and improve posture. The neck becomes so accustomed to the rings, that if they are taken off, the woman can not hold her head up. A long neck and good posture is very beautiful in this culture.
