Recently, parents have been choosing to have plastic surgery performed on their children with Down Syndrome, even as young as 3 years old, to eliminate the distinguishing physical facial characteristics that a person with Down's exhibits.
Some parents and plastic surgeons feel like plastic surgery would enhance the quality of life in their children. It would reduce stigmas and provide more normalized opportunities in life. If parents agree, the following article explains the pros to this procedure.
http://www.ds-health.com/psurg.ht
On the other side of this argument, parents have been extremely outspoken against the idea of tampering with a child's natural appearance. This oftens happens when the child is either too young or low functioning to understand the consequences of this decision. Plastic surgery inhibits the personal rights of the child, and is just trying to change their appearance to make them more "normal". The following article explains this opinion.
Cosmetic surgery for Down Syndrome Child
If you would like to know more, here is a survey from parents of children with Down Syndrome, and their opinions on this issue.
Hearing Parental Voices: survey
While interviewing a special education professional, her opinion was such that the facial features were not as important as their personal hygiene habits, and dressing. If the parents spent the time and money to get plastic surgery, why wouldn't they just spend that money on teaching and dressing instead.
We think they're cute.
We think that if the plastic surgery was for a functional purpose then it would be beneficial. An example of this would be the tongue reduction surgery. This would be appropriate if ithe child's communication was hindered by the small mouth cavity. We do not believe that it is ethical to change a child's appearance without their agreement (if they understand), and that they are individuals that deserve to not have their individuality tampered with.
If you were to have a child with Down Syndrome, would you choose to have plastic surgery done? Why?
At first when I read this I was appalled. How could you make a small child go through cosmetic surgery at such a young age. They would have no choice in the matter. (I feel the same about parents who have their infant's ears pierced). Though, as a parent there are many things we have our kids do that they seem to have no choice in the matter: go to school, eat their peas, brush their teeth, etc. But this is above and beyond, to the extreme.
ReplyDeleteThe more I read,the only surgery listed that seemed to make some sense to me would be the tongue reduction. I think it would be beneficial to their health. It would reduce
dry mouth or drooling, and help them eat better. I also wondered if it would help them to be able to speak better.
I can understand worrying about your child being stigmatized, and having a low self-esteem due to their appearance, but isn't adversity what makes us who we are? I was teased and bullied as a child. It was unpleasant but I think I have grown from that experience and am a better person because of it.
The stigma surrounding those with down syndrome will in no way ever be broken down or changed if parents begin to cater to it. Intolerance comes from ignorance and erasing distinguishing features of an individual to fit the norm only strengthens the discrimination. I really don't think that this plastic surgery is ethical at all.I would not as parent choose to do this. If the surgery was beneficial to their health or if it was necessary for their well being it would be a totally different issue. We are all here to teach and help each other, taking away our differences is a way of robbing us all from this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWow...how bizarre. This just reminds me of the plan of Satan: making everyone and everything the same and no choice. It makes me really sad and uncomfortable. There is a sect of my extended family that has an obsession with plastic surgery and it's appalling to me. Now their very young children are getting nose jobs and injections and such.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stupid reason to put your child under the knife!! And I don't see exactly how it would change their quality of life automatically. I feel like the element of choice is removed and how well do these surgeries work out? What are the health implications? Are their risks? It just seems so drastic and painful and wrong. It makes me sad that it actually would be a consideration of a parent--that they would consider having their child's face cut up to avoid prejudice and emotional pain. I think that this is where the real problem lies: people's perception of those with disabilities.
No, I could never make that choice for anyone. If it was a health issue, or something that would enhance their ability to speak, see, or hear those aroudn them then I think the decision would be easy. But purely cosmetic reasons are not sufficient in my mind. Jeez this made me sad to read...
Ok, plastic surgery on children especially is rediculous! Really, a three year old?!?! I can't believe that. I would not have plastic surgery on my child, that would not be an option unless it would in fact enhance the lifestyle and health of the child. Can you imagine when the child is older, explaining to him/her that you didn't like what they looked like when a child so you had surgery done to fix them? That thought just makes me sad and a little mad. These are children of God and they are individuals. Who are we to try to change them in any way. If there were a health issue which this would help then that would be a different story. I would not have the plastic surgery done.
ReplyDeleteI think that having a child go through plastic surgery just so they look better and "fit in" is totally WRONG. First off, I think children with Down's Syndrome are absolutely adorable:). And why take any risk of health at all just so your child will look like everyone else? I also really liked what Cami said about what would you tell your child when they are older and they found out you put them through surgery just because you didn't like the way they looked. I know that watching your child get picked on or teased or being left out is probably one of the hardest things for a parent to watch. But, unfortunately, it happens- and I really don't think that changing a child's appearance makes a whole lot of difference- there are MUCH better and more effective approaches to helping your child fit in. I think one of the articles even said that there has been no proof that the surgery has helped improve social interaction, so I think the surgery is even dumber (I guess I should say "more dumb" :) ). Seriously, I think this surgery is for selfish parents who care too much about appearances and what other people think. Put down your People magazine and take a good look at your beautiful child that Heavenly Father has given you- and then be a parent and go play with them.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. This is the craziest topic yet to read. I absolutely thought the same thing about this sounding like Satan's plan as I read these articles. I can see where there may be an argument with fixing a tongue for health purposes. Its much like a child having other surgeries for health reason but fixing a face just to lesson stigmas and teasing. I dont care what you do to a face people will still do that, and the just causes all of us to look for the inward. I think as a parent I would want to teach my child of that inward divinity and teach them social skills that will ultimately lesson the bullying/stigmas less than fixing face. I am grateful that my parents allowed me to keep the many imperfections I have in my face and let me go through what I considered "hard times". That just lets parents have to much control on the agency of their children to change the way their FACES look. Thats not why Heavenly Father sent us. So as a parent- no way would I agree to this. I would just pray more to figure out how to help my child develop the qualities that truly matter. Those things that you take with you. Not "fixing" a face that will be at a perfect state one day.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, how cute is Ophelia? She is such a precious little girl; I can hardly believe that her parents are thinking about putting her through reconstructive surgery for cosmetic reasons. What are they thinking? If Ophelia’s parents (and other parents of Down’s) are thinking about putting their child through reconstructive features to increase their physical features, I think they need to wait until their child can help make the decision.
ReplyDeleteHowever, tongue reduction seems realistic to me. If the child is having a difficult time with verbal communication, a protruding tongue and so forth; then yes I would have my child get the surgery; because it would be improving their quality of life not just for beauty reasons. I had a student a few years back that had the “partial glossectomy” surgery and unfortunately the surgery didn’t improve his speech. Maybe if my student had the surgery at an earlier age it may have made a difference, because once you reach the age of 18 I think we are all stuck in our ways of communication!
First of all, how cute is Ophelia? She is such a precious little girl; I can hardly believe that her parents are thinking about putting her through reconstructive surgery for cosmetic reasons. What are they thinking? If Ophelia’s parents (and other parents of Down’s) are thinking about putting their child through reconstructive features to increase their physical features, I think they need to wait until their child can help make the decision.
ReplyDeleteHowever, tongue reduction seems realistic to me.If the child is having a difficult time with verbal communication, a protruding tongue and so forth; then yes I would have my child get the surgery; becuase it would be improving their quality of life not just for beauty reasons. I had a student a few years back that had the “partial glossectomy” surgery and unfortunately the surgery didn’t improve his speech. Maybe if my student had the surgery at an earlier age it may have made a difference, because once you reach the age of 18 I think we are all stuck in our ways of communication!
My personal opinion on this matter is that the only kind of surgical procedure that should be done on a child, especially as young as these children are, are those procedures that are necessary for their health. I do understand that some people feel their child benefits socially from plastic surgery to "fix" their classic Down's Syndrome features. However, I think that that kind of major surgery should only be conducted with the child's permission (when possible), and when they are much older. Personally, I feel that plastic surgery used to change the features of Down's Syndrome is not practical, or even very useful because there are a lot of much less invasive things that can be done to improve the child's social skills and help them be accepted by their peers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the general sentiment.
ReplyDeleteParents who put their children through cosmetic surgery are showing that they, themselves, don't accept their children as they are and judge people based on appearances. Then again, I guess I judge people on appearances as well: when I see someone with the features of Down Syndrome I automatically love them, want to befriend and get to know them, and want to be a better person. Those beautiful, delightful faces and the personalities that go with them make me so happy and remind me of the most important things in life!
I agree with most the same things as everyone above but i just have to say that i can't believe this was ever a thought in anyones mind much less actually putting it into action. I personally think that children with Downs Syndrome are so so so so CUTE! I think that the tongue reduction actually sounds plausible and if it is proven to help the child talk or help with drooling then i think that is a good idea but changing what their face looks like is completely vein. You can try to say that it will help their quality of life but i don't see that being the case. all of the children I know with Down's love looking at themselves in the mirror and you can't tell me that they are thinking that they should look different than they do. If people are going to discriminate they are going to discriminate and there is nothing you can do about it changing your babies face to make it "normal" is just ridiculous and should be out of the question.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should be more appalled by such a thought of giving plastic surgery to a child, but honestly I have heard worse things happening to children with disabilities. I feel like this is perhaps one thing that people have good intentions behind doing it. I could understand why a parent would want their child to experience a life similar to other children and perhaps they see plastic surgery as a way of doing that. Still, despite my tolerance, I would not give my child plastic surgery if they had down syndrome. There may be other medical reasons that I would but not for down syndrome. I feel like if plastic surgery is to be done simply for looks, the person needs to decide. Therefore, I would not consent such a thing for my baby. I feel like if plastic surgery is given at such a young age, it teaches lower self esteem principles...like they have to fit an image or style. I support individuality and divine worth. Still, I think it is important to remember that people who are thinking about doing this, probably have good intentions.
ReplyDeleteTo me it sounds like the one's being afraid of being judged by society are the parents themselves. I wonder if they are the ones concerned about how they will look more than they are really concerned about the way society will treat their child?
ReplyDeleteBut I know that they have got to love their children a lot so maybe they truly think that surgery will help their child be more accepted.
Personally, I would never have cosmetic surgery given to my child that has downsyndrome. Children pick up on things and I don't think that would be a good message to teach them. What would it teach your other kids?
I just hope that the parents, who probably want the best, would be able to take that money and energy and use it to have wonderful and meaningful family experiences with their child.
This topic shows just how horrible the world we live in is! I think putting a child through the process of plastic surgery to make them not look like they have down syndrome is ridiculous! Like a lot of people have already said, I personally think those with down syndrome are absolutely adorable! First of all what right do we have in changing how our child looks without their consent and permission. They have the right to make decisions regarding their lives by themselves, especially when it comes to permanently changing their physical appearance. I think a parent would go through with this only out of selfish intentions. Whether it be becasue they are in denial or they feel ashamed, either way it is wrong. The issue about tongue reduction did interest me a little. I think if that surgery helped the child to talk better or breathe better or drool less it may look like a positive option for them? I would not have my child go through plastic surgery if they had down syndrome! How would they feel when they were older being told they went through plastic surgery to change how they looked? I think plastic surgery is out of the question. It is sad to see how many people have lost sight of what is really important in life.
ReplyDeleteI would never put my child through surgery if they didn’t need it. I can’t imagine putting my child through all that pain for just more social acceptance. People are really lame, and I think now a day’s people are just getting worse. I personally feel that it is pointless to try and get plastic surgery to make your face more socially acceptable. I can understand if you are getting surgery because you have been in a horrible accident and incidents like that, but just getting plastic surgery so your child could possibly be socially accepted more? You can’t guarantee that your child will be socially accepted just because there facial features are changed. People are going to make fun of others no matter what. That’s the way life is. If they can’t make fun of your face, they are going to make fun of the way that you dress, or the way you talk, or the way you wear your hair. I just think it is sad that people would want to change the appearance of a little down syndrome child. I think they are like the cutest people on the planet. I wish society was more socially acceptable, but they aren’t. There are a lot of people out there that are going to love you for who you are regardless of your disability and what you look like. I am not trying to say that everyone is heartless. There are a lot of good people out there that will love you for who you are. I just can’t imagine putting a child through so much pain in hopes that it will make things better. I agree that I feel that people that have children with disabilities should spend there money on clothes and proper hygiene. I think wearing clothes that fit you, and clothes that are clean will boost your self confidence. My parents recently got braces for my little brother who has epilepsy. At first my brother and sister had the thought process of why would you even waste your money. I thought that was messed up. I was so glad my parents got braces for my little brother. All the rest of us got braces why not him? He should be able to receive the same treatment we did so he feels like he is getting taken care of and important. He loves his braces, and I am so excited because my parents wanted to treat him like the rest of the family. I think if a parent wants to make the choice for their child and get them plastic surgery, it is their business. Do I support it? No. I feel that surgery should be something that benefits someone’s health, and given when needed. I am just one person. What people do is their business. But for me I would not put my child through that. Surgery should be for medical reasons. We should love them the way that they are.
ReplyDeletep.s. that article that said that Children with down syndrome suffer from a disadvantage "Their mental abilities are limited and they have ugly facial features" Dude whoever wrote that has ugly facial features. Thats messed up to just say that their facial features are ugly. This frustrates me.
ReplyDeleteI honestly feel like I have no words to adequately express how sad those articles made me feel. I cannot believe that any parent would force their young child to undergo surgery to make them appear “normal” to others. I have had knee surgery before, which I consider to be very mild in comparison to plastic surgery. Even for me, at age 16, that more minor surgery was difficult to recover from. How could anyone put their child through a major surgery that is not even necessary? I honestly do not understand. I believe that parents force their child to have this surgery because of their own insecurities and issues that they have from being a parent of a child with Down Syndrome. I think that they want their children to look more “normal” so that they feel more socially accepted themselves. I believe a parent that would do this to their child does so from a place of extreme insecurity and lack of acceptance. I honestly think this is inexcusable and sick. Why can’t parents just love their children exactly how God created them?!
ReplyDeleteThis idea kind of makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit. I feel that (with the exception of maybe the tongue reduction surgery), this seems to be undermining everything we are supposed to be standing for as advocates of individuals with disabilities. The entire point is that is shouldn't matter whether someone has disabilities or not--we believe they have potential and that they matter. It seems that parents will be most supportive to their children if they adopt a similar mentality. What sort of message is it sending to those that might be tempted to discriminate against them because of distinguishing facial features if we rush to eliminate everything that makes them look differently.
ReplyDeleteWe tell ourselves over and over again that a person's looks shouldn't matter--then start acting like it.
Wow, just wow. The only surgery I could think of that would even be beneficial would be the tongue reduction surgery since my nature these children have much larger tongues and are often found chewing on them. However, even that is really not necessary.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is poor of me, but as a parent, I would probably prefer it be obvious that my child have a disability so it is easier for other people to relate to their experiences as well as treat them appropriately. I don't see how a parent of one of these children could not imagine scenarios were their child could be taken advantage of or hurt even more by their change of appearance in society.
Out of all people though, their parents really should not mind which is really the sad part.
I don't think that children with Down's Syndrome should have plastic surgery. All of us have a unique look for a reason. We are all individual, and anyone who stereotypes someone by the way they look has not understood that.
ReplyDeleteI think it is wrong for parents of these children to have the plastic surgery done. Instead of focusing on how to help the community better understand what wonderful people their children are, they are trying to hide who their children really are, in order for them to escape possible stereotyped situations. These parents should embrace the opportunity to help people understand the joy that their children bring into their lives every day, instead of trying to mask their children, so that no one asks about the wonderful qualities that these children have.
So, to answer the question, there is no way that I would ever want my child to have plastic surgery in order to merely mask who they really are.
When I first read this I was outraged. Why on earth would a parent want to have their child go through plastic surgery? Especially such a sweet and perfect child? I personally think that little children with Down Syndrome are ADORABLE! It really goes to show me that parents who want to put their child through cosmetic surgery are not accepting that child for who they truly are and that is heart breaking. I do understand that facial features of children with down syndrome distinguish them differently from their peers, but I think in the long run it is more beneficial that way. People will automatically be aware that an individual with down syndrome may be different and will be able to tell by appearance rather than being caught off guard when first talking with them. I understand the tongue surgery because it is not as much about appearance but function. It is really sad that parents want their child to feel “normal”. What is normal? I could never physically alter my child like that, especially one with such a sweet spirit. I would feel ashamed. I would never want to change my child to something different from what they really are.
ReplyDeleteWow. Um no. I am very against giving a child plastic surgery. I feel that this is very inappropriate. I believe parents that would give their child surgery in this situation are just in denial. Just because your child would look more “normal” does not mean a disability would not be present. So what if a person comes up to their daughter or son and as soon as a conversation is started their child is rejected. How can that in any way be a beneficial situation to their child’s self esteem and social interactions? I honestly can’t think of one. This makes me think that the parents are more worried about THEIR social interactions and people looking at them for having a child with disabilities.
ReplyDeleteLike all of you have already said, I do not think that parents should subject their child(ren) to plastic surgery to correct facial deformities due to Down Syndrome. First of all, if you read the comments at the bottom of the article, you would know that Ophelia’s parents were not planning on putting Ophelia “under the knife” but Madeline Holler simply blew things out of proportion. That being said, this is still an interesting issue. One comment on the article that I resonated with was by Mary Ann. She said:
ReplyDelete“God gave you a special child and if he wanted her looking any different then she is then he would of done so. To put this child through such an ordeal would be cruel. As for the parents get over it and face the fact that she is who she is, a beautiful loving special little person who changing her appearance will not change her learning disabilaties. She will still be different to society.
I am blessed with a child who is down's and very proud of her.”
Even changing her appearance would not change her learning disabilities; she would still be different.
In disagreement with most of you, I feel that plastic surgery can be a very good thing. In the Summer 09 BYU magazine there was an article titled Saving Smiles by Erica M. Wolfe. It was about W. Geoff Williams (BS 08) who has traveled around the world performing corrective plastic surgeries for cleft lips and palates free of charge. Take a look at Francisco for example:
http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=2442&p=3546
And what about this story: “Cleft lips are pretty ugly deformities,” Williams says. “I could see if you had to look at that every day when you look in the mirror, it would be a hard thing to try to be a member of society. Once I was able to do a cleft-lip repair on a Bolivian girl who had been suffering for 21 years; within a year after the surgery she got married.”
In conclusion, I do not think that plastic surgery is the way to go generally, but I do believe that it can change someone’s life for the better.
I agree with the group's original post comment that plastic surgery should only be considered if it had functional benefits. Changing a child's facial features for pure vanity is completely wrong. However, if there were documented and proven instances in which plastic surgery was shown to have functional benefits, I would consider the surgery. If for instance, the child had a cleft pallet (as noted in the previous post). This is a physical disability that I would most definitely select surgery for. This is because I know that the cleft creates numerous problems aside from physical distinction. In the case of a child with Down Syndrome, I find it to be mostly a case of vanity. I don't think that a parent is justified to put their child through the agony of facial surgery just to lessen the physical traits of Down Syndrome.
ReplyDeleteI think this most certainly is a case of vanity. From a religious standpoint, I feel that this is mocking God's creation. I can't bear to think of a child growing up being nurtured by their parents only to find out they had plastic surgery. I feel like parents spend so much time showing their children how much they are loved and special, and to find out they had gone to this extent to alter their physical appearance would shake their self-esteem. Even if they are never aware that this was done to them, what is the real purpose? To reduce certain stigmas? I think it goes deeper than that to reveal the parent's insecurities. I am tired of parent's trying to make their children as close to the norm as they possible can. Every child deserves to be loved for who they truly are.
ReplyDeleteI must say that i am quite disappointed with these articles. I can understand maybe why a parent may want to have plastic surgery done but it almost seem selfish. Down syndrome people are who they are, they were born with these defects and that's what makes them special. When it comes to handicapped children especially down syndrom i love it when they look handicapped something about it just makes them shine. When paretns want to go in and do surgery they dont really recognize it and dont seem to have as much concern as an individul but the parents do, it's almost like they are concerned of how they look as a parent instead of being proud of there child. I could understand, maybe mind things down so they could not drewl as much or could talk a little better, but reconstruction, absolutely not. But that's just my opinion, they are who they are, God made them that way!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't justify plastic surgery for any other reason than comfort/functionality. If I had a child with Down Syndrome I would probably take him or her for a tongue reduction surgery. But to make them look "normal?" Who defines normal? Even if they did have plastic surgery, it wouldn't change the fact that they have Down Syndrome. I would not choose to take my child for plastic surgery for purely cosmetic reasons--I wouldn't do it myself!
ReplyDeleteI again echo my perfectionisitic view of our society because this is yet another prime example that we have created too much for ourselves and have too little to apply it. I hear that there are now procedures that you can do for a few thousand dollars that enables the couple to choose the gender of their child. Ridiculous! Like I stated before, we have too much to handle with too little to handle it with. Something's going to give!
ReplyDelete