Wednesday, April 23, 2008

mommy you don't look like me any more


You want to know what really grinds my gears......this nations obsession with LOOKS!!!!! So as I was getting getting ready for work this morning I had the unfortunate experience of watching the news and hearing about a new children's book, "My Beautiful Mommy."


This book is written by a plastic surgeon as a way to explain to his patients children the process of plastic surgery. It features a perky mother explaining to her child why she’s having plastic surgery (a nose job and tummy tuck). Of course, the book has a wonderfully happy ending: mommy winds up “even more” beautiful than before, and her daughter is thrilled.


"My Beautiful Mommy” is targeted for children ages four to seven and helps them "understand" their mothers choice to have plastic surgery. In the book there is a girl whose mother gets a tummy tuck, a nose job and breast implants. Before her surgery the mom explains that she is getting a smaller tummy: “You see, as I got older, my body stretched and I couldn't fit into my clothes anymore. Dr. Michael is going to help fix that and make me feel better.” Mom comes home looking like a somewhat bruised Barbie doll with perfectly placed bandages on her nose and around her waist.

WHAT? Why in the world is that OK? It's one thing that people are not happy with their physical appearance but to explain to children early on in life that their mommy's are not beautiful unless they go under the knife is absurd! I understand that there are perfectly good reasons for some people to have plastic surgery however, I don't think is the way they need to learn about the nations obsession with beauty, as well as their mother unhappiness with her God given physical appearance.

What does this teach our daughters? Won't they get enough of that while growing up? What are we REALLY trying to teach our children? My Mommy is BEAUTIFUL! and she HONESTLY only gets more beautiful with age! It shows life experience and wisdom...I don't think my Mommy would be beautiful is she looked plastic of forever young. Are young looks all that matters? Where are we headed with the "educational process?" The next thing we will be having this conversation with the kids...

3 comments:

Aaron said...

ARIGHT PETER GRIFFEN!!! LOL...You know what, this article was great and the content also grinded my gears a bit & just a bit! But two quick points, 1. The book while crazy is necessary(ish)..I see the reason for it...I wish I thought of it, it’s a great business idea..I might just go write one. Lol But I think plastic surgery is a crazy thing in general, but especially for kids. I haven't read it, but I don't think the point of the book is to make the children want surgery, but to help them cope with mom's new transformation. I’m pretty sure seeing moms all bruised up is traumatic 2. Beauty come with age (to me) as we get older. It's something that comes from within...beauty is deeper than good looks or being pretty! That’s also why your mother and MY MOMMA and GRANDMOMMA are SOOOO BEAUTIFUL/FLY...their characters are improving and as a result their beauty gets better as well...Beauty doesn't fade, but good looks do! (aiight, so that wasn't two QUICK POINTS)!!! great thought....

Aaron said...

Oh and what if I wanted to be ANON!!!! Please add that feature!! thanx... ;)

Boogie said...

Preach Sista Bourne...Preach! Our grotesque obsession with perfecting our outward appearance to hide our complete dissatisfaction with our inward has driven our nation crazy. The state of our world affairs has everything to do with our lack of introspection and honesty of what and how things really are and trying to build facade and camoflague to cover it up. Women who can't afford surgeries in this country are now crossing the border for risky surgeries in developing nations in order to feel better about themselves. Granted there are exceptions to the rule, and all women, and many men have thought of altering something they aren't too happy with. Yet, I doubt this book is marketed to those who NEED the surgery, but rather tot hose who want and can afford the multiple upgrade surgeries.