WOMAN URGED BY FAMILY TO GET A NOSE JOB

A young women has described her connection to her Iranian heritage, and its obsession with plastic surgery, in a revealing interview.

Iranian-American photographer Sunny Shokrae is profiled in recent clip by Refinery29, describing how she grew up in a culture that advocates nose jobs in order to find a good husband.

Iran is known as the nose job capital of the world, with some statistics saying that there are seven times the number of rhinoplasties performed there as in the United States.

Sunny only lived in Iran until the age of five, but while her parents discouraged her from dating or wearing make-up when she was young, 'my mom would also offer the nose job'.

'Girls are told at a young age to change their noses so they can get married. Literally. They think it'll bring you a better life,' she said.

'It's just a really Iranian way to be,' she added.

However, the New York-based professional is quick to add that despite this trend, 'Iran is not a vain place. It's a really warm amazing culture'.

Yet when it comes to plastic surgery, Sunny calls the nose job the 'point of cosmetic optimization', adding that it's a way that plenty of people 'make a lot of money' doing.

Sunny goes on to reveal that as a youngster she didn't want to be Iranian, actually wishing she was a white girl named Amy.

'It took a really long time to appreciate my difference,' she said. 'I'm happy that I never gave into getting a nose job, because in the end of the day it doesn't matter - who cares?!'

Having overcome the idea that there were beauty standards she was compelled to meet, she eventually became a photographer.

Now, in her work, the artist actively seeks out subjects with perfect imperfections.

'I've always been more taken and moved by documentary images or portraits of real people with real faces... It's just so much more striking,' she said.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3521676/Iranian-born-American-woman-reveals-urged-nose-job-family-thought-perfect-nose-help-secure-husband.html

Image Source: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/04/03/17/32CE1DC500000578-0-image-a-5_1459699361324.jpg

Vocabulary Words:
1. Heritage - (noun) Valued objects and qualities such as historic buildings and cultural traditions that have been passed down from previous generations.
2. Obsession - (noun) The state of being obsessed with someone or something.
3. Advocate - (verb) Publicly recommend or support.
4. Trend - (noun) A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
5. Vain - (adj.) Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth.
6. Optimization - (noun) The action of making the best or most effective use of a situation or resource.
7. Overcome - (verb) Succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty).
8. Compel - (verb) Force or oblige (someone) to do something.

Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think everyone is feeling pressured to be more beautiful these days because of society's standards? Why or why not?
2. Do you agree that people should have cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks? Why or why not?
3. Does physical appearance affect one's success in life? Why do you think so?
4. In your ｃountry, how do people view appearance and plastic surgery?
5. If given the chance, would you undergo plastic surgery to enhance your looks? Why?