From Aging Gracefully to the Perfect Boob: Navigating the "Kylie Effect"
"You appear unintelligent for your given years."
Guest Post by Sabine Oelmann LinkedIn Instagram Connect on WhatsApp "Aging gracefully" or "You look great for your age"? These seemingly harmless phrases conceal the underlying issue of structural ageism and a limiting perception of women. Let's unpack the boob conundrum, shall we?
The 74-year-old Iris Berben ruminates on the state of the women's movement in a recent interview with "Stern". She observes a widespread herd mentality, where individualism is often punished: "You get canceled if you don't fit in." This "herd" also means adhering to beauty norms. No matter the cost - time, money, or health, as long as the illusion is right.
Yes, yes, we all know many women "do it for themselves" - not for men. But today, "chin up, shoulders back, belly in, chest out," means "chin down, pad the shoulders, suck in the belly, and enhance the chest." Some body parts are now allowed to grow (buttocks, breasts, lips), while others are not (belly, thighs, sometimes buttocks, depending on taste).
From Performance to Presentation
Berben laments the shift from focus on performance to presentation: "I think today the focus is extremely on perfection, on a surface-level perfection. But no truly growing person wants perfection." So, what constitutes a "truly growing person"? Some may argue that genuine growth stems from nurturing the mind, rather than solely attending to external appearances.
This surface-level perfection, however, is readily available on social media, which often seeks and offers it. Women who don't conform to a certain beauty ideal are deemed unattractive. They're criticized, and these insults hurt. Insults like "old, fat, poor" only add to the pain.
The Pursuit of Perfection
Berben calls for a shift from focusing on physical perfection to investing in education: "It's not bad to take care of the inside of your head and train your brain, not just your butt." Despite her optimism for the new generation, other facts speak otherwise. She observes two trends in her field, film: "Those who uphold their performance (...) and those who have nothing to do with the industry and for whom it's all about presentation."
The "Kylie Effect"
For the latter category, it's often about this nowadays: "445 ccm, moderate profile, half under the muscle! Silicone!!! Garth Fisher." These are the cold, hard facts of breast augmentation, endorsed by Kylie Jenner. And it's celebrated as if she's just invented the refrigerator or a cancer cure. "Boob Job" is the term used, and our young heartthrob, Timothée Chalamet, seems comfortable with his girlfriend's new enhancements.
It's fascinating to consider how Kylie Jenner, with her massive following of 393 million on Instagram, opened up about her breast augmentation, answering a fan's question. This level of transparency leaves a common woman like the columnist a tad speechless, wondering: "Why would a young woman, who is already admired and imitated for her apparent perfection, seek such change?"
Perfecting Perfection
How perfect can breast implants be? What constitutes perfect breasts? Are perfect breasts essential? What about a perfect mind? We all agree that there is no perfect mind. Not even Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein, or Marie Curie had a perfect brain. So, why should perfect breasts be any different? Perfect butts? Perfect jawlines?
The Pressure to Conform
Jenner, at 27 years old and a billionaire beauty mogul, sister to supermodel Kendall Jenner, and half-sister to Kim Kardashian, responds to pressure to conform to certain beauty ideals. She's already had her breasts done at 19, and a complete makeover may be due every few years. How open, how sweet, indeed?
The Playground of Failure
Berben's reflections on the focus on perfection in today's image of women may leave you pondering: Are these the ghosts we summoned? A self-determined image of women that ultimately revolves around the shell? Berben admits that we live in a world "where one is judged and condemned infinitely fast. There is hardly any respect for the development process, which inevitably also means failure." But failure is not an option in today's world, is it?
So Who is Kylie Jenner?
Critics argue that what Jenner did is commonplace, nothing special[1]. They quote plastic surgeon Kelly Killien, who admits that Jenner "had a relatively large implant inserted, which would be about three full cup sizes larger on an average woman." The result is a "Jessica Rabbit look." Actresses who once said they'd rather have a smart head than a nice ass might be rolling their eyes at such facts. And they continue to insist: "It's still a cool sentence that hasn't changed. I always want to tell young people: It's not bad to take care of the inside of your head and train your brain, not just your looks."
Because I'm Worth It
Now, it's not about the looks with Kylie, it's about the boobs, the job that comes with it, and let's just say: The doctor who did it won't be suffering from a lack of demand for the "Kylie boobs."
Iris Berben, who advocates for her beauty and even advertises for a reputable cosmetics giant, remains optimistic, even at almost 75: "We have a very strong young generation, fantastic young women, who are directing films excellently or are great actresses and producers. Even when I look at the other brand ambassadors, my colleagues, at L'Oréal Paris. Strong women who stand up for others, loyal to the motto: "I am Worth It." I tell myself: We are on the right track. There is this generation that gives me hope."
And with these hopeful words, let's seize the day! Carpe diem.
Sources: ntv.de[2], The Washington Post[3], Psychology Today[4], Cosmopolitan[1]
- Kylie Jenner
- Kendall Jenner
- Kim Kardashian
- Plastic Surgery
- Hollywood
- Film
- Equality
- Self-Esteem
- Mental Health
- Body Image
### Enrichment Data: Overall: The societal and psychological impacts of the beauty standards and practices promoted by celebrities like Kylie Jenner, particularly regarding breast augmentation, are multifaceted and can have both positive and negative effects.
Societal Impacts: 1. Normalization of Cosmetic Procedures: Celebrities like Kylie Jenner sharing details about their cosmetic surgeries can normalize these procedures in the public eye, leading to a shift in societal attitudes and making such procedures seem more acceptable[2][3]. 2. Influence on Young Audiences: The influence celebrities have on young audiences can result in increased demand for similar procedures, potentially driven by a desire for social validation and self-esteem enhancement[3]. 3. Pressure for Beauty Standards: The promotion of specific beauty ideals by celebrities can contribute to societal pressure to conform to these standards, potentially leading to a wider cultural emphasis on physical appearance over other qualities[1][2].
Psychological Impacts: 1. Body Image Concerns: The constant exposure to idealized beauty standards can exacerbate body image issues among viewers, leading to increased dissatisfaction with one's own body and a heightened desire for cosmetic alterations to achieve an unattainable ideal[1][3]. 2. Self-Esteem and Confidence: For some, celebrities discussing their cosmetic procedures openly can encourage self-acceptance and confidence, demystifying them and making them seem more accessible and empowering[4]. 3. Mental Health Implications: The psychological impact of these beauty standards can extend to mental health, with the pressure to conform to these ideals possibly leading to anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues as individuals feel they cannot meet these standards without undergoing significant physical changes[2][3].
Overall, while celebrities like Kylie Jenner can promote a culture of openness about cosmetic procedures, it's crucial to consider the broader societal and psychological implications of these practices. Encouraging a balanced view of beauty that includes diversity and self-acceptance, rather than solely focusing on physical appearance, is essential for promoting healthier attitudes towards beauty and self-image.
- Iris Berben, in an interview with "Stern," expressed concern about the shift from focus on performance to presentation, especially in women's lives, stating that the focus is now extremely on perfection and surface-level perfection.
- The pursuit of perfection, as Berber revealed, can lead to investing in physical improvements beyond health and wellness, such as fashion and beauty trends, including breast augmentation often endorsed by celebrities like Kylie Jenner.
- The societal impact of celebrities promoting beauty standards and practices, such as breast augmentation, can normalize cosmetic procedures, leading to increased demand, particularly among young audiences.
- Despite the popularization of breast augmentation by celebrities, Iris Berber among other advocates for equal opportunities and self-awareness encourages nurturing the mind and developing a strong mental health, rather than solely focusing on physical appearances.
