6. Beauty Stereotype in China

 Chinese people are in favor of double eyelids and they believe it makes them more attractive. Double eyelids are considered attractive because they make the eyes appear larger and have a more alert appearance.  While I respect people who make a decision to choose to have double eyelid surgery because it is their personal preference, this beauty stereotype can be damaging to women’s physical and emotional health.  The article from the South China Morning Post described that the number of Chinese people having double eyelid surgery increases. A 57-years old plastic surgeon in Beijing states “ she performed about three eyelid operations every month when she started her career in 1987. The number has since jumped to over 100, meaning she operates on roughly five people’s eyelids every day” (Zhou, 2017). This statement shows the demand for double eyelids is larger and more people believe double eyelids are more attractive. On the other hand, people are body shaming. Body shaming means people are not confident about their body. The reason behind the body shaming is the influence of social media and judgment from their peers and family. The cause of body shaming is because of the beauty stereotype. 

As mentioned above, beauty stereotypes cause body shaming. One of the beauty stereotypes is double eyelids. The article from South China Morning Post states “Meanwhile, the predominantly female patients are getting younger, with parents willing to spend several thousand yuan to make their daughters more attractive, plastic surgeons say”(Zhou, 2017). It is very interesting to see parents willing to pay for plastic surgery and I believe it makes plastic surgery popular in China. In addition, it shows parents are stereotyping because of the way they view beauty and they are body shaming their children. The parents are not satisfied with the appearance of their daughter therefore they pay the daughter to have plastic surgery. It gives a wrong signal to the female patients you are not attractive so you are in the surgery room. Because of this reason, when women become older they are concerned about their appearance and judgment from other people. They lose confidence and mentally affected. There are also serious health problems, such as eating disorders, over exercise, or any form of unhealthy weight control behavior. Some people believe appearance drives them to success therefore they are willing to pay for surgery. For example, the article published in Sixth Tone by Wang Lianzhang told a story of a patient who did double eyelid surgery. After the double eyelid surgery, Chen has received an offer from an internet company who wants her to be a live streaming host and because of this reason, she has spent more money on plastic surgery. (Wang, 2019). Although the double eyelid surgery helps Chen get a job. However, I don’t agree with the statement that success depends on appearance. It’s your ability to drive you to success. In addition, not all the people who did the double eyelids surgery are seeking a job, this is not the dominant reason. People who did the surgery have different purposes. 

 Double eyelid surgery is common in China. On the other hand, there are risks that need to be considered. Some problems are unlicensed doctors and unethical advertisements. An article published in GLAMOUR by Winter Lottie states according to the National Health Commission in China, a total of 2,772 cases related to illegal plastic surgery were handled by China’s health departments between May 2017 and May 2018(Winter, 2019). There were consequences when people decided to have plastic surgery. The market needs to have regulation because unlicensed doctors and unethical advertisements are risky especially when people don’t do their research. It is important to educate people about the risks of such surgery. 

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