Assessing the cultural obsession with butts

From Nicki Minaj to Jennifer Lopez, the obsession over butts has exploded in the last 10 years– a cultural obsession to get the hourglass shape ending in a round behind. A revolution from the typical chest enhancement, butt enhancements were originally fattened by silicone implants and are more desired to acquire than a chest implant. Today butt implants are enhanced by fat injections known as the Brazilian Butt Lift. According to Dr. Constantino G. Mendieta, a Miami-based plastic surgeon said that nearly 53 percent more women (and even men) from the last year are increasing the size and changing the shape of their butts.

“The media has for sure changed the outlook on butts. Before it was all about a big chest because every other celebrity flaunted their chest and somehow, someone famous came along with big cheeks and now everybody desires the big butt look,” sophomore Lauren Margolis said. “Every female singer (or rapper) who has a big butt always mentions it in their songs, especially Nicki Minaj who could easily influence her fans to desire the booty life.”

Kim Kardashian, an iconic celebrity known for her curves and defined hourglass shape flaunting her rear end on the cover of Paper Magazine back in 2014 to “Break The Internet” caused an uproar of women to desire the same shape. Dr. Adam Schaffner, a New York-based plastic surgeon noted many of his patients will refer to celebrities when trying to convey the butt they desire. The most common names that are referenced includes Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and Kim Kardashian.

“You can 100 percent tell the difference between an implanted butt from a butt shaped from squats,” junior Kiley Kross said. “I don’t understand why women want to get their butts implanted or injected when you can go the natural route and squat it out. It just looks better and also you’re not injecting anything into your body that isn’t supposed to be there.”

The controversy still lies in whether to work to acquire the desired shape of a butt or getting it done surgically. Nicole Winhoffer, Madonna’s trainer, helps her clients get a round rear end the old fashioned way: a hardcore butt workout and lots and lots of squats. She claims that it is completely possible to change the shape and size of your butt– it’s just all about sculpting the butt by using different angles, changing the muscle memory, and working it the right way.

“The reason why more women want a bigger butt is because it can easily be achieved by working out and doing 30 squats a day. While many women can’t change the size of their chest by working out, the butt has grown to be a fan favorite,” senior Tyler Pedraza said.

The growing trend is creating a span of choices to add fat and lift butts with injections and implants. Celebrities, whether flaunting their man-made or natural butts, are creating a cultural obsession making women across the nation to desire the same look to potentially “enhance” their appearance and confidence. While Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and many other celebrities with a plump behind have created an unnatural trend, the message in pop culture right now is that your backside can be your greatest asset.