The concept of culture can be defined as an orchestrated integration of unconsciously learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of a group of people. Many varying constituents can compose any given culture. This causes many different cultures to deviate from one another greatly. Such components as ethnicity, life experiences, values, beliefs, religion and customs are all examples of these aspects. (Warner and Mochel, p.4, 1998)Customs are a way of expressing values and beliefs of a culture. One form of a cultural custom is bodily alterations. These exist in many cultures throughout the world. They vary in expressivity from minor markings to complete addition or removal of body parts.Many examples of body alteration exist. Cosmetic surgery plays a significant role in customs of body alteration in the U.S. One such example is that of breast augmentation. This is when the breasts are surgically enlarged by placement of a synthetic implant behind both/either the breast tissue and chest muscles, through means of a small incision. A plastic surgeon and/or reconstructive surgeon perform this procedure. (http://www.atlanticplastic.com)Augmentations or enlargement of the breast, medically termed augmentation mammoplasty (http://www.plasticsurgery.org/surgery/brstaugm.htm), became a commercial success in the mid- 1960’s with the invention of inflatable silicone implants. Their population has continued. It is estimated that well over 1 million women in the U.S. have had their breast surgically enlarged. Each year approximately 130,000 women have their beasts enhanced. Most women that undergo this surgery are between the ages of 20 and 30years old. (Davis, p.25, 1995) However, as the popularity of this surgical procedure increases the age range of those obtaining breast augmentations is broadening. Two percent of breast augmentations performed are on women under the age of 18 years. The number of women well into middle age having ...
