The social bases of cosmetic surgery in Australia

Abstract

Despite the demand for cosmetic surgery, little is known about the characteristics of recipients beyond the well-known gender divide. Data from a nationally representative Australian survey profiles the social background of cosmetic surgery recipients and those desiring surgery. Aside from strong gender differences, the middle-aged were most likely to desire cosmetic surgery, but older people were most likely to have had it, with body dissatisfaction also associated with desiring and having cosmetic surgery. Social status (education, occupation, income) effects and the fact that those who identify with the Liberal and National parties are more likely than Labor or Greens identifiers to have had surgery suggest it is an aspect of (upper) middle-class lifestyles and sought by those who aspire to them.