Reflecting on cosmetic surgery : body image, shame and narcissism /

"Cosmetic surgery represents an extreme form of modern grooming. It is the fastest growing medical specialty, yet misconceptions abound about those who undertake it and their reasons for doing so. With a grounded approach, engaging 30 women through in-depth interview, this study explores how th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Northrop, Jane Megan
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: London ; New York : Routledge, [2012]
Subjects:
Online Access:Connect to the full text of this electronic book.
Description
Summary:"Cosmetic surgery represents an extreme form of modern grooming. It is the fastest growing medical specialty, yet misconceptions abound about those who undertake it and their reasons for doing so. With a grounded approach, engaging 30 women through in-depth interview, this study explores how they chose cosmetic surgery as an option. Their accounts frame a theoretical discussion, in which Northrop proposes that cosmetic surgery is initiated within the vulnerable and divisive relationship between the self and its poor body image. Poor body image and the attempt at its reparation are examined conceptually through shame and narcissism. With compelling case studies and a multi-disciplinary approach, Reflecting on Cosmetic Surgery demonstrates that shame constitutes a framework through which we formulate appearance norms and learn the art of becoming socially embodied. Shame concerns the self, but manifests in response to perceived social phenomena. Through the evaluation and amendment of body image with cosmetic surgery, notions of self and social worthiness are played out. Northrop argues convincingly for a review of the way in which we view narcissism and proposes that shame, and the discomforts arising from it, are implicated in its occurrence. This book will appeal to students and scholars across the social sciences, and particularly in womens studies and gender studies"--Provided by publisher.
Item Description:Electronic resource.
Description based on opening page (viewed May 04, 2017).
Physical Description:1 online resource
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9780203121511
0203121511
9781136327872
1136327878