Beneath the Skin : A Cultural Comparison of Cosmetic Surgery and Body Image among Korean and American Females

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in body image and attitudes and behaviors regarding cosmetic surgery between Korean and Americans. Forty females in the U.S and 40 in Korea participated in the study by being interviewed. As a result, while Koreans had positive attitudes toward cosmetic surgery, Americans had negative attitudes. Higher incidences of cosmetic surgery were found among Koreans than among Americans. Koreans with lower body image tended to have ore tolerance toward cometic surgery. These results suggest that cosmetic surgery might be one of many ways to improve their self-esteem, Korean women with lower body image showed higher attitudes or behaviors toward cosmetic surgery than Americans.

Keywords

• cosmetic surgery;
• body image;
• cross-cultural study;
• Korean and American females