Parts of Me—Relational Risks and Possible Outcomes When Sharing the Decision to Have a Breast Augmentation

A Study of a Swedish Online Forum

Bibliographic Data

ID19003489
AuthorsPetra Roll Bennet (0000-0003-2471-8036, Stockholm University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume51
Issue3
Pages435-458
Publication date2021-11-22
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Contemporary Ethnography (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0891-2416 • E-ISSN: 1552-5414
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/08912416211059226
OpenAlexW3215391485
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited34

A female body part that gains much attention is breasts, and globally, the image of women’s breasts is a “perfect breast.” In order to attain this “perfection,” and for personal reasons, women can decide to augment their breasts by surgery. Despite the cosmetic industry’s increasing popularity, sharing this decision with family and friends can be associated with doubts and worries. This study aims to identify anticipated outcomes when telling close persons about the surgery. Analysis of posts on a Swedish online forum suggests that anticipated reactions include hopes of being accepted and fears of being viewed differently. Aligning with Cooleys “looking-glass self,” it is argued that women see themselves through the imagined eyes of others, and judgment creates feelings of either pride or shame. Breast augmentation seems to be associated with double oppression: first, from surrounding ideals about the perfect breast, and second, from associated shame manifested in social relationships

Breast augmentation · Feeling · Oppression · Political science · Popularity · Pride · Shame · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Law · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access