by Tiffany Harris
Pebblebrook High School

Brazilian Butt Lifts are the new service in the industry that lots are raving for, but what image is this creating for the world on body types. Are we normalizing going under the knife rather than going on the treadmill? Is the look worth the risk?

A Brazilian Butt Lift is a procedure that is a few surgeries in one. You go under anesthesia and then liposuction (suctioning out fat cells) is done on areas like the stomach, thighs, or lower back. Next, your fat is essentially “purified” to ensure it’s safe to go back into your body. After your fat is prepped and ready, it gets inserted in the needed areas to get the “lifted” shape. Lastly, they drain your body from any fluid build-up and close the incisions. 

Now the hard part is done– or is it? The next step is the healing process which can take up to a year, with two weeks not sitting down on your bottom. Imagine that? You can’t even sit down for two weeks just to look a certain way. Several celebrities have done this surgery and openly talk about it, which isn’t a bad thing; However this is sending out a message to young women all around that this look is the only accepted look by the world. In our day to day lives, we hear in songs rappers and pop artists talk about women’s bodies and how they want them to look. 

“All I would hear them talking about is big butts, and I didn’t feel complete or good enough, good as those girls because I’m like, ‘Oh My God, you know, this is what you’re supposed to look like in the rap culture, and I don’t look like that,” Famous female rapper Nicki Minaj spoke in an interview with Joe Budden about her struggles with her body image.

In the interview, Minaj opened up about why she felt insecure about her body at such a young age and revealed it was due to her male friends commenting about other women’s bodies. She talks about her struggle with her body image and the pressure to conform to certain beauty standards. However, she also blames herself for slightly creating the standard. 

“Superstars inadvertently become role models,” said Minaj.

The BBL body type is so serious to some, we ignore the risks sometimes. According to Los Angeles Times, Television personality & actress,  Jacklyn Smith or better known as Jacky Oh, underwent surgery in May 2023 for a “mommy makeover.” The surgery went well, until the next day when she started to complain of an ongoing, intensifying headache. As her headache turned into a burning sensation, her mom rushed her to the emergency room. Unfortunately after being rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead shortly before midnight. If society was accepting of natural bodies and didn’t bash new mothers into snapping back into shape, maybe women wouldn’t have to risk their life just to feel normal.

On the other hand, some celebrities are openly expressive and appreciative of their surgery. Lots of women like JT, Saweetie and even Kim Kardashian openly talk about their enhancements and how it has boosted their confidence. As stated in Guardian Life Archives, Nigerian Celebrity, Tonto Dikeh says she “see’s surgery as a form of self-care and urges women to do what makes them happy.” 

While we shouldn’t bash women for getting surgery, we shouldn’t put down women for not having it. Without appreciation for natural bodies, all young women will lose self-esteem and confidence. Looking perfect all the time isn’t the goal of life, so we shouldn’t have to permanently alter ourselves to fit into unrealistic standards. 

by Avika Anand
South Forsyth High School

Mental health disorders and condition awareness have been on the rise. Across social media, content creators have been emphasizing the importance of diagnosing and treating mental health deficiencies. But with the rise of the influencer era, has mental health awareness lost its integrity?

The phrases “My OCD cannot handle this” and “I have ADHD or something” have been spoken by many of us. But how true are these statements? Has it become a trend to claim to have these conditions?

The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that currently, 1 of every 4 adults suspects they have ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). What’s more, this suspicion began during the COVID-19 pandemic for most. As people sat at home with little to do, boredom was guaranteed. This led most people to develop similar symptoms to ADHD and then consult healthcare providers, hoping to receive a prescription to ease their symptoms. Additionally, with the rise of social media “there’s been a lot of misinformation, sensationalizing and generalizing” claims Dr. Craig Surman.

Dr. Elizabeth Wolf speculates that the rise in diagnoses is correlated with the reduction in criteria to “have the disorder”. The required symptoms to verify ADHD have reduced from six to five factors, allowing for more people to qualify for prescription medications to treat ADHD.

What is the harm? Over-diagnosis of ADHD can result in overmedicating people who do not even require certain medications. This perilous and potentially irreversible practice can result in neurological damage. ADHD is most caused due to an abundance in white and gray matter in the brain as described by the American Psychiatric Association. Generally, it is treated by medications, specifically inhibitors to block the reuptake and release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. However, if these medications are taken without an excess of these neurotransmitters, they can result in an imbalance, inhibiting normal brain function.

Additionally, therapy is generally recommended as well, which, if unnecessary, results in discomfort and insecurity due to the diagnosis and unfitting treatment. Misdiagnosed ADHD usually results in additional conditions such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and humiliation or insecurity.

Accurate diagnoses are best conducted by a licensed healthcare professional. Social media and influencers are not a credible enough source to begin taking prescription medications and receiving treatment or a diagnosis. If you suspect ADHD or other mental conditions or suspect misdiagnosis, consult a healthcare provider. If you are having suicidal thoughts or need to have a conversation about your mental health, contact the 988 hotline.

Don’t hesitate to get help. You are valid in your doubts and questions.

By: Madison McKenzie

Have you ever put on a really cute outfit and you are feeling confident? You can feel peoples eyes on you, and then you start seeing looks of disgust and hatred. That has happened to me. Whether it was because my stomach was out, too much skin was showing or because I wore something that people don’t normally wear. People will judge you wherever you go and that is a lesson I had to learn.

In some cases, the clothes you wear would matter. There is a time and a place for the outfits you should wear. You don’t want to wear an overly revealing outfit to a very important meeting or interview. But, if you are out somewhere to hangout, eat, have fun with friends whatever the case may be , then you should be able to wear what you want (as long as you aren’t showing all of your bits and pieces). People should not dictate what you can and cannot wear. Other people should not be able to dim your light.

I feel that people who are not you, shouldn’t have a say in what you decide to put on your body. Sometimes, the clothes that we wear are an expression of how we feel. You are decorating yourself in a way that makes you happy. People shouldn’t feel self-conscious because someone looked at them with a side eye and made them feel as if they were ugly or looked like an outcast.

Your clothing choices shouldn’t be changed because someone else’s views. One’s fashion choices is supposed to be a form of self projection, a way to show what you like and how you want to be viewed. This means that people should have the right to their own style. Some outfits should only be worn at certain events and some outfits will make you look twice. But that aside, don’t diminish who you are to satisfy others.

Fashion experts say that the clothes that we wear show the personality that we created for ourselves. This is because it is a form of self expression which should be important to everybody. Nobody should tell you what you can and cannot wear. They are not you and you are not them. Don’t let them diminish your light.