Guest Author - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Psychology Today’s recent report on plastic surgery in Argentina (Nov/Dec 2006) suggested that entire countries can feel inferior to more established, wealthy countries – similar to how individuals can feel when they compare themselves to other people. In Argentina, “There’s a strong pressure for women to adhere to a European look, and if they don’t fit the mold, they suffer harsher judgement, personally and professionally, than in many other countries.”

Plastic surgery is seen as a bridge to a “better” world: a world of modern fashion appearances, wealth, and images of perfection. Argentina is “among the top-ranked countries in per capita rates of cosmetic surgery” states the president of the Argentine plastic surgeons’ association. “Almost every girl I know wants to have something done,” says a 23 year old Argentinian secretary. She wanted a breast enhancement at age 12 or 13, and had her nose straightened when she was 16 years old.

It seems that feelings of inferiority can work the same way in both countries and individuals: you don’t quite measure up, you wish you looked and sounded better, you feel real or perceived pressure to improve yourself – and so you turn to methods you wouldn’t normally use. You haven’t quite established who you are and how you fit in the world, and you don’t feel intrinsically valuable. So, you tackle your outward appearance because it’s the easiest to change, or others have been criticizing you for years and you’re beginning to believe them, or you’ve watched so many models and actresses that you think looking perfect is the only acceptable option.

Most people would change some aspect of their body if they could. What difference do you think it’d make in your life if you changed the size of your breasts or the shape of your nose?

Plastic surgery may or may not change feelings of inferiority. Most evidence suggests not, but there are always exceptions. It would seem better to deal with the reasons you feel inferior. If you’re a country like Argentina and feel a step away from wealth and modernity, it may be healthier to deal with that instead of judging and condemning your people.

Supersize your assets! If you’re Argentina, you could focus on the beauty and strengths of your country instead of comparing yourself to Europe or America. Highlight your exports, celebrate your uniqueness, and let yourself be free to be the country you are.