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Kids Play With Breast Implants At Career Day
Career Day got a little more exciting for students at Shady Grove elementary school in Henrico,Virginia. The 4th, 5th and 6th graders got a handful of something they probably never even knew existed: a breast implant.
The implant was a visual—and apparently, tactile—aid for one of the professionals who had come to school to educate kids about his line of work, plastic surgery.
Parents are not so happy about this.
In an interview with NBC12, mom Jacquie Kelley said: ’I think they’re a little young to be having this discussion and with everything going on with body issues and everything else and bullying and stuff like that you don’t need to add that to the mix.’ Her daughter was absent for career day, but heard about the implant show and tell from her friends.
Parents can’t believe their kids were exposed to this without their prior permission. Not that they would have given it. Kelley told the news program that she would have said no had she been asked “I would not have been happy with it nor would I have agreed with it.” Some parents seemed more concerned about the idea that their children were touching a “breast” than anything else. One wrote on Facebook: ‘I’m still shocked and appalled that my nine-year-old saw and touched a breast implant.’
But according to the Daily Mail, the students don’t understand what the fuss is about. “They said the lesson was useful and informative, and explained the local plastic surgeon attends the event every year.” So, what, in other years, the kids just kept their mouths shut about copping a feel of the fake boob?
I’m trying to imagine how I would feel if my kids came home talking about breast augmentation surgery. The sexuality and body image issues get my dander up immediately. It’s hard to imagine a context in which this would not feel inappropriate, but maybe there is one—if it were discussed in terms of reconstructive surgery for mastectomy patients, maybe? I know there are plenty of good reasons for cosmetic surgery. But I hate the idea that these children are learning—as part of their school curriculum, no less—that some women are so dissatisfied with their bodies that they feel the need to surgically alter themselves. These are little girls who in all likelihood haven’t even grown their breasts yet. The ground is fertile to plant the seeds of dissatisfaction. Feeling flat-chested? There’s always the option of implants!
How would you feel if this happened at your child’s school?
photo: FDA.gov
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8 Comments
Bunnytwenty commented on Apr 07 11 at 5:16 pmHow the hell did they explain what breast implants are for to these kids, or why someone would want bigger breasts? I’d love to be a fly on the wall in that room.
dane commented on Apr 07 11 at 5:59 pmdoesn’t seem so traumatic to me. The kids learned about his profession. not everyone gets implants for superficial reasons (ie, cancer survivors). And really, by sheltering your kids from stuff like this, it just perpetuates the discomfort of learning about your own body. As a parent, do you really want your kid to be ashamed to be curious about stuff like this? I don’t.
GP commented on Apr 07 11 at 6:12 pmbut, “some women ARE so dissatisfied with their bodies that they feel the need to surgically alter themselves” (emphasis mine)…totally teachable moment…”some people have really misplaced priorities, honey, mommy has small breasts and loves that they never get in the way of my running, never hurt my back and don’t sag, even now that I am an old 40 year old” then again, maybe breast cancer survivors, or people like that might want them, too…
GP commented on Apr 07 11 at 6:14 pm…that’s not to say it’s not a tad bit creepy, but I’d just deal with it like I said and answer any questions very frankly…my daughter has a big awareness of breasts being for feeding babies, too, and so that would come into the conversation, for sure…
Angela commented on Apr 07 11 at 7:33 pmYeah it was poor planning and I wouldn’t be thrilled but I also have a hard time believing that most of the kids didn’t already know what breast implants are, especially the 6th graders.
Becky commented on Apr 11 11 at 4:47 pmHave you ever played with a silicone breast implant before? They are fun! I know because someone’s dad got one as a gag gift when I was 12 or so and I had a ball with it!
mieoux commented on May 09 11 at 3:43 amI am a bit on the fence about kids playing with breast implants, if they would let them play with say an artificial heart, then it should be fine for them to play with breast implants.
“some women are so dissatisfied with their bodies that they feel the need to surgically alter themselves”
“Personal I was so dissatisfied with my body that I felt the need to surgically alter myself.” I got breast implants, and after that I felt that I have the perfect body. Up to now six years later, I still feel that I have the perfect body. There is nothing I would change given the option, I was a 9.5 before the implants and now I am a 10. I am HOT! I don’t need to lose 5 lbs, I don’t need to do anything. This feeling is definitely worth it, I never worry about how I will look in a bikini. The breast implant surgery by dealing with the one area that I was really actually dissatisfied with, helped me see my beauty without involving lying to myself about “inner beauty” (which I also have). I would suggest if you are an adult who wants some kind of plastic surgery, think about it for a couple of years, and if you still want it then go for it! How many women do you know who think their bodies are perfect – well add one to the number. Other women are worrying about weight-loss, varicose veins and other weird stuff. When they whine about these things to me, I just say hey I know a good doctor if you’re interested.
Freshmom blog commented on May 20 11 at 11:12 pmThat’s an odd choice for career day.
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