Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

re: Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

Bunny — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:45:43 GMT

So what you're saying is, giving women more information about how getting implants won't really make them feel better restricts their choices?

I am not exactly sure how giving people more information and a solution to their problem that might actually work (after all, getting the implants doesn't seem to be keeping them from committing suicide) would hurt them. It seems as though... feminists might want to help women! Crazy thought.

re: Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

oh-so-pro-choice — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:28:13 GMT

@Bunny--this is what a lot of liberal-minded young women hate about feminism: sure, women should be allowed to make their own choices, but "some women" aren't smart/educated/enlightened enough to choose "correctly." Ergo, other women (i.e., feminist "experts") with their best interests at heart should decide what decisions they are allowed to make. Perhaps this is maternalism instead of paternalism, but that only makes it more hypocritical.

re: Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

Bunny — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:18:51 GMT

The thing that disturbs me about the breast implants studies is that so many people still defend plastic surgery as, "They made a choice, and isn't feminism about letting women make free choices?" Well, sure, but these women aren't necessarily informed about the risks, and how can you make a "free" choice if you don't know quite what you're choosing? Furthermore, I think those disturbing stats prove that a lot of these women need psychiatric help a lot more than they need plastic surgery, and it's horribly irresponsible that these surgeons go for the scalpel rather than the phone for a referral. It's about greed and it hurts women.

Where's the outrage?

re: Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

JJ — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:30:42 GMT

Wow... how sad!! I'm a veteran of many abdominal surgeries (none of them cosmetic I assure you), the least serious my C-section (Piece of CAKE), and I bear those scars with pride. I would never get my imperfect but distinctive body messed with just to suit some wacky preconceived concept of "normal."

How incredibly shallow and disheartening. That last quote about the suicidal women was telling. If your identity is all wrapped up in the external, then you're missing out on everything that's important and fulfilling in life.

I agree with KC. Unless a woman gets seriously and painfully messed up in childbirth, these kinds of procedures shouldn't happen. What's wrong with being PROUD of giving birth and welcoming some of those body changes?

re: Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

KC — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:30:37 GMT

Yes, it's FGM which is banned by the UN. Voluntary, yes, but it's FGM. A doctor ought not to do it.