Fake breasts: Do we or don't we?
It is hard to believe that breast implants can be dated back as far as 1895. Women throughout the past 115 years have been implanting themselves with various materials in order gain their desired bust size. Materials such as wool, ivory, glass balls, rubber and foam sponges have been all experimented with to obtain the larger breast. The increase in breast augmentation surgery over the last 30 years in particular has been significant. Many women say they get the implants for themselves in an effort to raise their self esteem and some say they are doing it for the men in their lives. But it raises questions such as – do men really prefer fake boobs? And why do we it?
A recent report by the Times Online stated that the fake breasts trend that has encompassed Hollywood and the world is ending as celebrities are either removing or reducing their bust size. The trend began with Victoria Beckham and has been followed by the likes of Pamela Anderson and Katie Price who both reduced their implant size. A further point to add is the recent comments made by Rob Marshall, the director of the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
The Times Online reported Mr Marshall sending a request to Los Angeles casting agents stating actresses, “must have real breasts. Do not submit if you have implants.”
Market research company, Mintel, as reported by Times Online, adjusted their 2010 cosmetic surgery predictions to a slow, sustained decline instead of the upward curve which has been seen in previous years.
Cosmetic surgery figure predictions and the emerging Hollywood trend would seem to indicate that breast implants are indeed on the decline. These trends would indicate that women are happier with their natural curves. What do the men think?
David Joyce, 23, a Griffith University Arts student said he believes he is a fairly normal guy and thinks that most men prefer their women to have natural breasts but breast implants will always be around.
“Fake boobs are just that, they're fake. On some girls they look good but on others they just look gross. I think women need some flesh there to start off with but then if you have the flesh there to begin with you probably don't need implants. Take Victoria Beckham for instance, her breast implants looked disgusting because they looked fake. She looks so much better now they have been removed,” Mr Joyce said.
“I have talked with my friends about this...I can say that the most of us prefer girls who have their natural assets. It seems like a lot of pain to go through for something that won't last a lifetime. But if a woman wants to make her boobs bigger go for it. It has to be a self confidence issue.”
Glamour model Katie Price is one of the most well-known women who has breast implants. Before her breast reduction in 2008 she was a 32FF reducing her implant size down to 32D. Price stated she was reducing her breasts because they were “saggy” and to please her now ex-husband Peter Andre.
However, The Courier Mail reported Andre was saying he preferred pictures of “his wife when she was a natural 32B.”
Though men may prefer 'real breasts' than implants it does not take away the self-esteem issues that women face in everyday life. The feeling of inadequacy when it comes to body shape and looks in general is an ever-present thought in the minds of many women. A lot of women go to extremes to order to change themselves.
Family Planning Queensland Clinic Coordinator, Alyson Alway, believes that it has become a 'norm' for women to have breast implants.
“We don't question women who wax their legs, shave under their arms or pluck their eyebrows but there is still a question over boob jobs,” Ms Alway said.
“It is quite insidious that boob jobs are almost deemed normal. Women are confronted with the pressure to change from many directions including magazines, celebrities, work colleagues and even friends and family. Women shouldn't be under that kind of pressure to change their bodies but it is considered normal that we do.”
“I think it is good that the research you mentioned predicts cosmetic procedures are declining. Perhaps now women will like themselves for who they are inside and out,” Ms Alway said.
After talking with men and clinicians both expressed that the decline in cosmetic surgery is a good sign of things to come. Society seems to follow Hollywood trends religiously so perhaps this new trend of removing or reducing implants is a trend that we do actually want people to follow.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Woman Behind the Fight for Law Reform
The Woman Behind The Fight for Reform
By Erin MacDonald
On a constant bustling road in Windsor sits a little purple house with a green roof and a bright red door surrounded by weeds and graffiti. The traffic noise is continuous, trains roar across an overpass and only one small sign out of the front of the house distinguishes it as something different from the next. The sign reads “CbyC: unplanned pregnancy counselling and information – abortion, adoption and parenting education”, the basis of Brisbane-based organisation Children by Choice (CbyC). How many women have stood here before the red door with a life changing decision to make?
Cait Calcutt, a former CbyC coordinator has the kind of smile that reaches her eyes and puts you at ease. Her brown eyes are welcoming and warm, and though small you can feel her strong presence in the room. Her warmth and support is the first thing the women coming through the red door would feel as it encompasses the organisation.
Cait wasn't always interested in abortion law reform. Originally from Western Australia, it was while she was at university in the mid-90s that she became involved. “My friend found out abortion was still illegal in WA and we were outraged and thought it was terrible,” Cait recalls. They went along to an AGM of the Association for Legal Right to Abortion, a pro-choice organisation in Western Australia. Being the youngest women amongst the group they decided to join and become committee members and this is where Cait's abortion law reform journey began.
It was the 1998 arrest of two doctors for performing abortions that created the public outcry for reform in WA. “We were one of the leader's in that campaign,” Cait recalls. After the reform Cait worked in the sexual and reproductive health field throughout Australia but found she wanted to continue to work in abortion law reform in particular. “The experience in WA really struck something within me and I knew there was more I could do in this area,” she says.
Upon seeing an advertisement for the position of Coordinator of Children by Choice, she jumped at the chance and applied. “It [CbyC] had such a great reputation and was well regarded by those involved in pro-choice politics,” she says. So Cait moved across the country to continue her law reform journey in a state where abortion was still illegal.
Cait has now been at CbyC for a decade and has been instrumental in not only the law reform campaign but also other campaigns, including the RU486 debate, abortion access and pregnancy counselling. She almost whispers and pauses while talking about her part in the campaigns illustrating a remarkable modesty about her advocacy efforts. She plays down her achievements and gives credit to the organisation and those around her.
“The great thing about CbyC is we are committed to changing things on a social and political level. Making a change on a political level is very satisfying and winning the RU486 campaign was really good.” Cait cites cheekily that she liked how they “got one up” on Tony Abbott, the Health Minister at the time of the RU486 debate. “Though who knows what might happen now if Tony Abbott is elected prime minister,” she says.
Margot Kingston, a friend and former colleague, says she is constantly impressed by what CbyC achieves. “They are still really a grassroots organisation. Cait really made a difference in the coordinator role in what they do on a political level. They've grown up over time to have a great reputation and I think Cait really nurtured that,” Margot says.
Despite campaign success Cait says the best thing about her job is the small things, such as helping a woman resolve something so she can access a termination. “It is always tinged with disappointment, though. Because it is a difficult and long process sometimes, and it makes you realise that it shouldn't be this hard. It really brings home the reason we're fighting to change this law,” Cait says.
That fight for law reform in Queensland was turned up last year after the arrest of Cairn's woman, Tegan Leach, for procuring her own abortion. Cait was heading off on maternity leave as the story broke but followed the campaign daily. Cait voice fills with strong emotion as she discusses her pregnancy and how it helped her connect with abortion law reform on a deeper level.
“Being pregnant for the first time really made me feel like I can truly understand what our clients go through. Having never been in that situation before it really illustrated to me the injustice that it is illegal for a woman to make a choice about her own body. This case really ignited the fire again for so many of us and we will fight,” Cait says.
Her whole demeanour changes as she discusses the reforms made by the Queensland government in the wake of the Tegan Leach case. With a deep frown on her face, her eyebrows furrowed, hands clasped tightly in her lap she says how disappointed she was with how it turned out.
“They were fairly meaningless and it has made things a lot harder. It has narrowed services instead of encouraging doctors to return to practice. They are still uncertain whether it is legal or not. It didn't do anything to address that abortion is still a criminal offence and it didn’t do anything for women,” Cait says.
Her passion for abortion law reform is evident in the way she speaks and conducts herself. Margot Kingston says Cait is an effective lobbyist. “What always strikes me about Cait is this ongoing determination to see reform occur and her incredible patience and willingness to listen that comes across in how she presents to the world,” Margot says. Her CbyC colleague, Kate Marsh, agrees “Cait is one of those really strong and inspiring people lobbying for law reform.”
Cait and the women of Children by Choice crowded in that small purple house are fighting and hope one day to have a win. However even if that win isn’t coming soon the small things each day are satisfying in themselves. “Being given that trust by a client is a real privilege,” Cait says. That is what is on offer for every woman who visits the small purple house with the bright red door surrounded by noise and graffiti but filled with warmth and support from Cait and the other women inside.
By Erin MacDonald
On a constant bustling road in Windsor sits a little purple house with a green roof and a bright red door surrounded by weeds and graffiti. The traffic noise is continuous, trains roar across an overpass and only one small sign out of the front of the house distinguishes it as something different from the next. The sign reads “CbyC: unplanned pregnancy counselling and information – abortion, adoption and parenting education”, the basis of Brisbane-based organisation Children by Choice (CbyC). How many women have stood here before the red door with a life changing decision to make?
Cait Calcutt, a former CbyC coordinator has the kind of smile that reaches her eyes and puts you at ease. Her brown eyes are welcoming and warm, and though small you can feel her strong presence in the room. Her warmth and support is the first thing the women coming through the red door would feel as it encompasses the organisation.
Cait wasn't always interested in abortion law reform. Originally from Western Australia, it was while she was at university in the mid-90s that she became involved. “My friend found out abortion was still illegal in WA and we were outraged and thought it was terrible,” Cait recalls. They went along to an AGM of the Association for Legal Right to Abortion, a pro-choice organisation in Western Australia. Being the youngest women amongst the group they decided to join and become committee members and this is where Cait's abortion law reform journey began.
It was the 1998 arrest of two doctors for performing abortions that created the public outcry for reform in WA. “We were one of the leader's in that campaign,” Cait recalls. After the reform Cait worked in the sexual and reproductive health field throughout Australia but found she wanted to continue to work in abortion law reform in particular. “The experience in WA really struck something within me and I knew there was more I could do in this area,” she says.
Upon seeing an advertisement for the position of Coordinator of Children by Choice, she jumped at the chance and applied. “It [CbyC] had such a great reputation and was well regarded by those involved in pro-choice politics,” she says. So Cait moved across the country to continue her law reform journey in a state where abortion was still illegal.
Cait has now been at CbyC for a decade and has been instrumental in not only the law reform campaign but also other campaigns, including the RU486 debate, abortion access and pregnancy counselling. She almost whispers and pauses while talking about her part in the campaigns illustrating a remarkable modesty about her advocacy efforts. She plays down her achievements and gives credit to the organisation and those around her.
“The great thing about CbyC is we are committed to changing things on a social and political level. Making a change on a political level is very satisfying and winning the RU486 campaign was really good.” Cait cites cheekily that she liked how they “got one up” on Tony Abbott, the Health Minister at the time of the RU486 debate. “Though who knows what might happen now if Tony Abbott is elected prime minister,” she says.
Margot Kingston, a friend and former colleague, says she is constantly impressed by what CbyC achieves. “They are still really a grassroots organisation. Cait really made a difference in the coordinator role in what they do on a political level. They've grown up over time to have a great reputation and I think Cait really nurtured that,” Margot says.
Despite campaign success Cait says the best thing about her job is the small things, such as helping a woman resolve something so she can access a termination. “It is always tinged with disappointment, though. Because it is a difficult and long process sometimes, and it makes you realise that it shouldn't be this hard. It really brings home the reason we're fighting to change this law,” Cait says.
That fight for law reform in Queensland was turned up last year after the arrest of Cairn's woman, Tegan Leach, for procuring her own abortion. Cait was heading off on maternity leave as the story broke but followed the campaign daily. Cait voice fills with strong emotion as she discusses her pregnancy and how it helped her connect with abortion law reform on a deeper level.
“Being pregnant for the first time really made me feel like I can truly understand what our clients go through. Having never been in that situation before it really illustrated to me the injustice that it is illegal for a woman to make a choice about her own body. This case really ignited the fire again for so many of us and we will fight,” Cait says.
Her whole demeanour changes as she discusses the reforms made by the Queensland government in the wake of the Tegan Leach case. With a deep frown on her face, her eyebrows furrowed, hands clasped tightly in her lap she says how disappointed she was with how it turned out.
“They were fairly meaningless and it has made things a lot harder. It has narrowed services instead of encouraging doctors to return to practice. They are still uncertain whether it is legal or not. It didn't do anything to address that abortion is still a criminal offence and it didn’t do anything for women,” Cait says.
Her passion for abortion law reform is evident in the way she speaks and conducts herself. Margot Kingston says Cait is an effective lobbyist. “What always strikes me about Cait is this ongoing determination to see reform occur and her incredible patience and willingness to listen that comes across in how she presents to the world,” Margot says. Her CbyC colleague, Kate Marsh, agrees “Cait is one of those really strong and inspiring people lobbying for law reform.”
Cait and the women of Children by Choice crowded in that small purple house are fighting and hope one day to have a win. However even if that win isn’t coming soon the small things each day are satisfying in themselves. “Being given that trust by a client is a real privilege,” Cait says. That is what is on offer for every woman who visits the small purple house with the bright red door surrounded by noise and graffiti but filled with warmth and support from Cait and the other women inside.
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