Summary Of Jill Weinstein Plastic Surgery

Some people with relatives that have undergone plastic surgery presume that it automatically increases a child’s confidence by making them feel better about their appearance. Jill Weinstein, the mother of Jen Selter(child who underwent rhinoplasty/nose job), asserts her opinion on plastic surgery: “Jen is so happy now...I would say to parents ... it’s[plastic surgery] the greatest gift you could give to your child. What greater gift is confidence and to help them feel happy in who they are?”(qtd. in Coffey). Of course, it is indisputable that children appear overjoyed regarding their new appearance instantly after their surgery. Having said that, Jill Weinstein fails to mention the long term effects cosmetic surgery can have on a developing
Given this, the author uses the fallacy appeal to authority by falsely implying that she is an authority on plastic surgery. Since Weinstein is related to the child receiving surgery, the author deceives the reader into believing that the mother would naturally be informed about her child’s confidence level. In reality, Weinstein is not a plastic surgeon -- preventing her from being an expert on cosmetic surgery. Adding in her opinion does not fortify the argument, since the mother has no prior knowledge regarding plastic surgery or its dicey effects on developing bodies. In addition, Jill Weinstein uses faulty causation -- assuming that because one thing follows another it was caused by the other. Jill presumes that since her daughter is content directly after the surgery, the plastic surgery is necessary for her confidence and well being. How can Weinstein be so certain that in a year’s time her daughter will not find another flaw in her appearance that she wants changed? Like many children undergoing cosmetic surgery, Jen could develop an increased obsession with her looks -- especially now that she knows she can change her face to meet her