Brigette Donohue

A nip here, a tuck there, just one or two shots of Botox and oh, of course, some saline. These are the things that reality TV show Heidi Montag-Pratt are made of. These are also the things that young teens are being marketed. This type of Barbie doll person is made up of all things unnatural and unfortunately is what more teens are striving for.

In today’s world there is an obsession with plastic surgery and altering one’s image. Heidi Montag-Pratt is on the reality TV show The Hills. I have watched the show since it came out, as I am sure many other girls have. The message that this young 23 year female is conveying to younger girls is that you’re not perfect. No one is, but that is what makes everyone different. It does not mean that at the age of 23 you should have a breast augmentation, two nose jobs, Botox and a face lift. The only question I have for her is: “Are you serious????” Why, would an already beautiful girl have the feeling of discontentment to have all of those procedures done?

Heidi is showing all of her young viewers that unless you look like her, you’re missing out. It is this type of celebrity that encourages the poor self esteem and body image in our teens and women today. Celebrities have such a huge impact on their viewers, especially when the celeb’s viewer target market is 15-25. According to the Docshop.com, there were over 90,000 plastic surgery procedures in 2006 done on teenagers (ages 13-19).

That number is not only unbelievable but the ages absolutely shock me. What kind of a parent would encourage that kind of treatment? When I was younger, I remember my Mom and Dad always telling me that I was perfect just the way I was and that is how God wanted me. I tell my daughter the same thing every day. The messages these parents are sending to their teens are that they don’t look perfect just the way that they are, that they need to improve themselves. I can’t imagine what kinds of things their parents will be buying for them when they are 20 or what kind of self image the teen will have then.

Here is the link to view Heidi Montag Pratt before and after photos. Keep in mind she is only 23. http://showbiz.sky.com/heidi-pratts-new-look

How do you feel about celebrity and reality stars who get multiple cosmetic surgeries at a young age?

Photograph Credit:
Sabrina Segal