by Petra Tang

Created on: December 30, 2010

The first thing that comes to an adult's mind when considering a correct and just decision regarding the above matter is the legitimacy for teens to undergo cosmetic surgery. A teen is someone who is within the ages of 13 and 19, they are the youth of society and the future of nations. Here is why teens should be allowed to undergo cosmetic surgery:

It is the right of every person-regardless of age, sex or race-to have absolute control over his or her own body. This means that we all have the freedom to choose and to make decisions when it comes to our bodies. Governments recognize our bodily autonomy hence there are no federal laws that ban people from getting a tattoo, a tongue-piercing or even from committing suicide. Having said that, there are also no laws that set an age-limit for people who wish to get a tongue-piercing. If we all agree that every human being must certainly enjoy autonomy over his own body, then what justifies us from taking away this autonomy from teens?

Perhaps the reason for thinking so is the fact that adults(read parents) doubt the maturity of teens to make such decisions. After all, cosmetic surgeries are often non-reversible and there is definitely an amount of risk in it. However, if we refer to the debate question ' Should teens have cosmetic surgery?'  the contentions become obvious. This is not a question about who-gets-to-decide, but rather it is about the freedom for teens, as a normal citizen, to undergo cosmetic surgery should he and his parents want it. The contention regarding who decides and if the teen must obtain his/her parent's consent is out of the debate. Therefore, it is clear that  adults should not have to worry over these teen's decisions or their lack of maturity. 

Another important contention to take note of is the self-esteem of teens. The teenage years of human life are said to be one of the most challenging, what with all the hormones  bumping about in these not-quite-adult bodies. We all know that this period is when a person finds his own ways and his own interpretation of himself. This is the time when teens decide who they are and find their inner soul. Peer pressure has an enormous standing during the teenage years, and what they say may often sound more correct than what the adults say. Cosmetic surgery plays a significant role here, if it could help increase a teen's self-esteem. If cosmetic surgery could make a teen feel more confident of himself, then why not? Plus, most of the time teens decide that they want to undergo cosmetic surgery for good reasons and if improving their physical appearances is what it takes to make teens happier, I say we should go with it. 

Ultimately, it is the right of every human being, even if he is in his teens, to have absolute autonomy over his body. I shall rest my case stating that teens should have cosmetic surgery, because we respect their rights as humans and also because we want society to enjoy the freedom of choice. 

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