I couldn’t believe what was discussed at a high tea recently…

I was at a high tea recently, a special occasion for a friend who was celebrating her 60th. She brought along her granddaughters and nieces, and it was an event with women from all stages of life. However there was one topic of discussion that shocked me.

As you do at these types of events, you talk ladies’ business: fashion, clothing, accessories etc. Discussion turned to the Kardashians, and usually I would have switched off if it weren’t for how they were idolising that frankly abhorrent family. The young girls said they were considering plastic surgery, and even had photos of what procedures they wanted on their phones.

I was quite upset – these are 18 year olds talking about their flaws and wrinkles, when they were nothing but the picture of youth and beauty. They have their whole lives ahead of them and yet all they could talk about was how big they wanted their lips and commenting on how nice their 20-year-old friend’s Botox was.

I wondered where they got this from but it’s clear: the media, the magazines, their social media, but probably most disappointing of all: their mothers. When I poked around a little more as to why on earth they want surgery, they said their mums had it and it was fine. And although I was at a high tea, many of us weren’t from “posh” backgrounds or well-off, so it also showed me how women are now going without other things just to pay for surgery. These girls only have part time jobs and are already considering how they’ll afford unnecessary plastic surgery.

It truly boggles the mind.

I think women need to be better role models to their daughters and granddaughters and make sure they know that these celebrities are not to be idolised. I wish young girls would know that having fake lips and breasts does not improve your personality or make you more likeable. Those are things you need to work on within yourself. Plastic surgery to me screams insecurity, especially at such a young age.

I’m not sure if others agree or not, but I certainly don’t want my granddaughters to think they have to live up to these unrealistic beauty standards.

What do you think?