Body Modification and Toxic Hypocrisy in the Camming Industry

There was a time when I told myself that I didn’t agree with Cosmetic Surgery.
Then again – there was also a time when I told myself that I didn’t agree with sex-work.

Taking a step back now, I have to wonder where these toxic ideologies came from. It’s no secret that people of all genders are victims of body-targeted advertising that was created specifically for profit. Although the types of targeting we encounter may be different depending on our gender, our lifestyle, and our location, the aim is always the same; money.

I want to preface my opinion by saying that my awareness in life has been as a cis-gendered white female. Because of this, I feel that I can speak to a general experience of body-targeted advertising. That being said, I cannot speak to the experience of women of colour, homosexual trans men, etcetera – you get the point.

My entire experience of childhood and adolescence as a female was centred around my body. Television, movies, music, magazines, you name it – the focus was on the way that I looked, and I was taught that my appearance would determine the way that I existed and interacted with the world around me. 
Puberty is a confusing time for anyone, but I found myself dismayed further by the fact that I was living with a severe chronic illness. Intensive medical treatments caused my weight to fluctuate to a point where my friends and family no longer recognized me. This sudden shift in the way that I perceived myself was the beginning of a life-long toxic relationship with my body – and through it, my identity.

In adulthood I have come to accept myself as I am. Some days are harder than others- and the struggle is constant – but compared to the way that I used to perceive and interact with myself, I know I have made leaps and bounds. 
One of the most empowering aspects of my adult life so far has been the decision to cover my body in art. Although I can remember a time when I didn’t think I would ever get a tattoo, the ink in my skin has become integral to how I define my identity. 
Because my tattoos are covering multiple scars, they are a physical reminder of my strength and resilience. 

When surfing through MyFreeCams, ManyVids, or any other Adult-Content website, it’s impressive to see the volume of models who proudly display body art, whether it be tattoos, piercings, coloured hair, or various other body modifications. The vast amount of diverse self-expression I witness merely from scrolling through a website with a sample of populations from across the globe is both astounding and delightful, but – there is a double standard. 

Part of the reason I have grown to love the community I have immersed myself in through MyFreeCams is the open-mindedness that so many of my regular friends and fans share. New and old friends alike are always keen to hear about upcoming tattoo appointments and love seeing new ink.

Unfortunately, when the conversation inevitably falls to other forms of body-modification, opinions take a turn for the worse. 
When discussing cosmetic surgery in my chatroom I am always subjected to cries of: “No! Don’t do it! You’re perfect!”
These comments are no doubt a misguided attempt to flatter and encourage me, but they fall flat with hypo-criticism. 
There is no difference between a piercing, a tattoo, or a nip-and-tuck. These various forms of self-expression should not be required for a person to feel good about themselves, but if they do – who says that’s a bad thing?
Cheering on my tattoos and various other aesthetic preferences but calling my cosmetic surgery procedures a mistake is ignorant and closed-minded. 

If a person has spent their entire life feeling embarrassed and self-conscious about one specific part of their body, and they know that cosmetic surgery will change that, I don’t see a problem. I personally believe that the problem only arises when this person is constantly chasing an unattainable goal. 

Folks – If you can learn to love your body how it is, that’s amazing.
If you can’t, and you want to surgically alter it, that’s amazing.
Ultimately – it is your body, and your choice. Do your research, know the risks, and do what feels right for you. 

And please, members, don’t give your opinion on cosmetic surgery unless we ask!