Moor vs. Moor: Is surgery a viable option for Asians to change the appearance of monolids into double lids?

Cosmetic surgery for double lids has been growing in popularity lately within the Asian community. Though some may consider this a fashion trend, it has garnered attention mostly for its social commentary and the risks of going through an unnecessary surgical procedure.

“Open your eyes, chink.” No one should ever have to be bullied because of the way they look, and the advances of technology have assured that this doesnʼt need to happen. More and more young Asian girls have turned to cosmetic surgery–not necessarily to conform to the image of what beauty should be, but to be comfortable with their own appearance. For a girl to be comfortable with her own appearance is important when it comes to her personal happiness.
Growing up in a world where beauty is defi ned through the proliferation of American media can be difficult–especially for young girls. With the relentless pressure to be beautiful, itʼs better for girls to be comfortable with how she looks then to take a dangerous alternative route. If plastic surgery is part of her journey to learn to love herself, then she should only be encouraged.
Cosmetic surgery can be some girlsʼ escape from bullying if they happen to be in such an unfortunate situation. It may be looked down upon as an unnatural outer mask or an escape, but in the end, what we want are girls who are confi dent and comfortable in the judgmental tides of the real world.

DAISY PROM
Opinions Editor
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There is one traumatic experience nearly all Asian kids share: being made fun of for having “Asian” eyes. Even in Asian countries, western standards of beauty influence how young people, especially girls, view themselves. Some even go as far as to have surgery to make their eyes look less “Asian.”
Itʼs a bit disturbing that societal implications of beauty have enough power to make people change their appearance—permanently—through plastic surgery.
However, the deeper problem lies in the fact that western ethnicities are generally considered more attractive. There is no universal model of beauty, and yet many Asians wish they looked more Caucasian.
Simply put, there is nothing wrong with being Asian or having Asian eyes. Thereʼs no need to change them and put your body through pain and risk in order to fulfi ll an unreasonable standard of beauty.
Instead, as cheesy as it sounds, we need to learn to embrace who we are. Itʼs easy to change to fi t societyʼs ideals, but the harder, and better, thing to do is to change your mentality.

CATHERINE CHIANG
Opinions Editor