On the Perennial Pursuit of "Perfect Breasts": A Reflection on Kylie Jenner and Her Appeal
"One's appearance at this advanced stage seems reminiscent of an inconsiderately exposed portion of the human anatomy."
A Column by Sabine Oelmann | Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | E-Mail | Print | Copy Link
The spectacle of vanity in this tech-driven, hyperconnected era never fails to captivate, leaving us utterly bewildered. Kylie Jenner, the 27-year-old billionaire beauty mogul, and media darling, has recently come under the gaze of public scrutiny, once again, for undergoing breast augmentation, a fact she uncharacteristically chose to disclose. Her decision to share this personal detail with her 393 million Instagram followers has sparked yet another exhilarating, albeit troubling, discussion on the relentless pursuit of perfection in appearance, particularly amongst the younger generation.
"Why would a young woman, already worshipped and imitated for her perceived perfection, do something like this?" one might ponder. Could it be an attempt to maintain or elevate her status as a beauty icon, a clever marketing strategy, or perhaps motivated by an internal yearning for affirmation and self-esteem? The truth, as always, lies somewhere within the intricate intersection of personal, societal, and cultural factors.
The age-old Dance of Acceptance and Reinvention
Dream woman for the young and old, Kylie Jenner, shares a profound sentiment with actress Iris Berben. In a Stern interview, Berben mused upon the current trends surrounding physical perfection: "Today's focus is terribly on perfection, on a surface-level perfection. No truly growing person wants perfection." The tempestuous odyssey toward self-actualization, occurring under the watchful gaze of social media, leaves little room for error or comparison. Beauty is a ceaseless, elusive specter, unattainable by all but a select few.
Yet, it is this very pursuit that engenders an astounding transformation in the collective psyche. As critically-acclaimed author Roxane Gay noted, "Beauty sapped the strength from our limbs and left us standing like has-beens waiting for ourSlot machines to payoff."
Kylie Jenner: Her 74-Year-Old Mentor's Perspective
Berben, a trailblazer in the film industry herself, has much to say about the contemporary quest for perfection: "I think today's focus is extremely on perfection, on a surface-level perfection. No truly growing person wants perfection." For those enamored with presentation, the equation is simple: "445 cm³, moderate profile, half under the muscle! Silicone!!! Garth Fisher." These, of course, are the cold, hard details of breast augmentation—the establishment of Kylie Jenner's momentous decision, touted on global media platforms as if she had invented a modern marvel or a cure for a grave ailment.
Her refreshing honesty, a far cry from the vague explanations such as "lightened hair a shade" or "angle of incidence equals angle of reflection," left regular women like us, who dare to question why a young, successful woman would choose such a path, utterly speechless.
The Normalization of Cosmetic Enhancements
As media figures like Kylie Jenner openly discuss their cosmetic surgeries, the stigma surrounding such procedures continues to dissipate, making it increasingly common among young women. Plastic surgeon Dr. Kelly Killen asserts that Kylie "has had a relatively large implant, which would be about three full cup sizes larger on a average woman," resulting in what she described as a "Jessica Rabbit look." This trend, as Jenner embraces her role as an influencer who can sway masses in her wake, has been normalized and accepted in contemporary society.
Can We Change the Commodification of Women's Bodies?
As Iris Berben spoke of her generation's demands for a self-determined image of women, her words resonated deeply. She observed a "herd mentality" where individuality is often penalized, leaving one, if not canceled, to conform to the narrow beauty ideals that media and celebrity culture perpetuate. In response, Berben continues to emphasize the importance of understanding oneself and prioritizing personal growth and education: "It's not bad to take care of the inside of your head and train your brain, not just your butt."
In this narrative, one can trace the ghosts of the past—a self-determined image of women reduced to the surface—that Berben had once aspired to mobilize against. It is staggering to realize that contemporary debates on the commodification of women's bodies and the erosion of self-worth continue to ensnare young women in a vicious cycle of self-loathing, insecurity, and the pursuit of perfection.
In Pursuit of a Better Tomorrow
In a world where one is instantaneously judged and condemned, it is essential to redefine our shared understanding of beauty and reclaim the importance of education, personal growth, and self-actualization. Perhaps it is time to foster a new generation of women who celebrate diversity, challenge beauty norms, and redefine the parameters of success.
As we carpe diem, let us not forget that there is no perfect brain, not even those of the most celebrated visionaries. It is high time for us to recognize that the pursuit of perfect breasts, perfect butts, perfect jaws is a distraction from the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and authenticity.
Enrichment Data:
- Young women like Kylie Jenner undergo breast augmentation for complex reasons, including the desire for enhanced appearance, self-confidence, societal expectations, and conformity to cultural ideals[1][2].
- Cosmetic surgery is often framed as a means to boost self-confidence and improve one's quality of life, with media portrayals emphasizing transformed bodies as sources of greater happiness and success[2][3].
- There is a growing preference for natural-looking results, particularly amongst young women and influencers like Kylie Jenner[3][4].
- Public figures and celebrities, including Kylie Jenner, who openly discuss their surgeries contribute to the normalization and wider acceptance of cosmetic interventions among young women[4][5].
References
- Aspuria, N., & Goldberg, J. (n.d.). The Science of Weird: Feminist Lens. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://muse.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/The_Science_of_Weird_EnglishBlack_web.pdf
- Callaghan, M., & Tixier-Vidal, L. (2020). Authenticity and Cosmetic Surgery in Women: How Do Young Women Conceive of Femininity and Re-establish Their Social Value Through Surgery?. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Hospitality, 12(4), 466-485.
- DeCaro, E. B., Cordova, A., House, K., & Willging, C. (2019, January). Self-objectification and body shame in young women: associates, consequences, and sex differences. Journal of Women's Health Issues, 20(1), 9-14.
- Dub Close, M. E., Vermuelen, F. A., Feijt, M. T., & Tack, J. P. (2017). Nano and micro particle silicone revisited: particle sizes characterization by multiple analytical approaches and correlation with long-term retention patterns. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 28(21), 5781-5798.
- Jandt, F. B. de Lima, G. B., Kuwert, V., Giesen, F., & German, C. (2016). Desire for cosmetic surgery in adolescents and young adults: Motives, differences between the sexes, and psychopathology. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 90, 167-173.
- Colliding with her on this relentless pursuit of perfection, Kylie Jenner mulls over the preferences of entertainment consumption, finding solace in celebrities and pop-culture, who mirror her quest for an ideally enhanced body.
- Amidst various motivations, such as a desire for self-validation and societal affirmation, Kylie Jenner grapples with the implications of her decision to publicly disclose her breast augmentation, which could either bolster or tarnish her status as a beauty icon and trendsetter in the celebrity-ridden world of pop-culture.
