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Show ▪ NEWS FEBRUARY 04, 2013 A3 MORMON MONENT from Al Membership study. The so-called "Mormon Moment" comes from growing curiosity of the Mormon religion. "I'm surprised, but glad that the discussion has continued. I thought it might end with the [presidential] election," said James Faulconer, associate director of the Wheatley Institution at BYU. Others agree the rise in popularity of LDS culture isn't likely to end anytime soon. "The fact Mitt Romney even got to where he was tells us something about the culture change," said Russell Fox, associate professor of political science at Friends University in Witchita, Kansas. "It tells us something about this moment." 66 The fact Mitt Romney even got to where he was tells us something about the culture change. RUSSELL FOX Associate professor of political science at Friends University PHOTO COURTESY OF FR.WALLPAPERSUS.COM Students discuss the connection between LDS culture and plastic surgery on Jan. 28. it is estimated that more than $2 million are spent on makeup in Salt Lake City each year. Beautifying Utah, one plastic surgery at a time Students discuss whether LDS culture opposes the "nip & tuck" culture or incubates it By Nicole Shepard Assistant News Editor Twitter: @NicoleEShepard Quickly climbing the ranks for most elective surgeries done, Utah ranks eighth in the nation, causing some to question the reasons why. The documentary "Drinking Gold: Normalization of Cosmetic Surgery Among Latter-day Saint Women" by Dr. Joylin Namie, associate professor of anthropology, was used to discuss the popularity of elective surgery, on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Nearly 50 students discussed the "nip and tuck" culture in conjunction with the LDS culture prevalent in Utah, debating whether or not the desire for physical perfection is at odds with LDS doctrine and culture or incubated by it. "As a society we are striving for perfection," said Jordie Baxter, nursing student. "Some people take this concept too far." While at the documentary showing, students were asked to fill out a questionnaire on their personal religiosity and opinions of plastic surgery. "I really had to think about what I believe," said Nelle Hurd, freshman. "I had never thought much about plastic surgery. One of the questions asked if I saw a tie between the Mormon standard of not disfiguring your body with tattoos or piercings and plastic surgery. I'd never thought of it that way. I guess I don't know." Statistics showing the monetary difference between what women in Salt Lake City pay for beautifying products were shown in comparison to those in Oklahoma City, which has a relative population. It is estimated that 66 I know plastic surgery is elective and all, but I think with all the creams, cover-ups, surgeries and masks, we've forgotten what real beauty even is or what it even means to age gracefully. ERIN PAGE UVU Alumni UU more than $2 million are spent on makeup in Salt Lake City each year, while approximately $400,000 are spent in Oklahoma City. Many said it shows a selfworth issues while others claimed self-esteem has little to do with beauty products and regimens. "While I do buy expensive hair products and makeup," said Danielle West, UVU alumna and Salt Lake City resident, "it's more a hobby than an [issue] of selfconfidence." Scrutinizing what is unique about Utah culture that leads to cosmetic procedures became the main topic of the evening, whittling down to two main points: young marriage and young mothers. "There are high stakes, the competition for a mate is intense," Namie said. "In a society where academic, athletic and societal achievements are undervalued by the culture, women feel that they have to improve their looks to get a mate." Many of the women who admitted to having or wanting "tummy tucks" or liposuction said it was primarily because of how their bodies looked after having children young. "We have lots of babies; that does things to a woman's body," Baxter said. "And yes, while everyone would love to have perfect confidence in how they look after, we don't. Most moms in Utah start having babies fairly young, so when they look at other people their age, it's hard to live up to." In the spirit of an anthropological study, Namie finds this dichotomy in Utah culture fascinating. Namie said in her documentary, the "structural factors in Utah, including a larger concentration of plastic surgeons per capita, lower prices for cosmetic procedures ... with the impetus to marry and have children at younger ages, set the stage. A group of women admonished to be in the world but not of the world becomes very worldly indeed." Still, the large majority don't understand or aren't familiar with the religion or culture. "I have been invited by another university, to talk about this type of thing, but the way they approached this was: 'We want you to come and talk about how it is possible to be Mormon and a smart person," Faulconer said. Despite the many views of different regions or faiths, Faulconer hopes the panel will touch base with people in a way that will help them open their mind to other Mormons and non-Mormons alike. Because of because of how little time the panelists have, the discussion can only cover so many things. "You could spend an entire year's worth of study on this," Birch said. "This is just one little slice of a conversation about a very dynamic religious tradition." For more information on the panel, check out the website for Religious Studies at www.uvu. edu/religiousstudies/upcomingevents.html. For more information on the panel, check out the website for Religious Studies at www.uvu.edu/ religiousstudies/ upcomingevents.html. ROOMMATE WANTED 1 bedroom, 2 bed, fully furnished living space. Well-fenced with great security system. Access to cafeteria and recreational area. Free meals and utilities, but phone privileges restricted. Residents subject to mail search and monitored visits. Contract minimum 2 days. No pets. No smoking. No shoelaces. Fines and fees not included. Must have DUI conviction. ADDRESS: CELL 13B o3 4 o4 >4 1 6w .O CO o 4) 04 tirsi 6 45 03 Q' t 11.11 1.. 2 ,.0 0 03 CO o 43 Q' o 43 t.. 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