Fake breasts...do we or don't we??

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.