2013 Conference

Health

Financial Services

In a severe economic condition characterized by high unemployment rate, low earnings, high import and low export, consumer spending becomes stagnant or decreases. Common sense suggests that consumer spending in such situations seems to be limited to important and vital products and services while frivolous and unnecessary spending is cut. For households, it seems difficult to classify plastic surgery as either an important or a frivolous service because of the complexity of the reasons that motivate it. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether demographic characteristics influence the choice of the household member that makes the plastic surgery decision. Specifically, the study examines the influence of demographic factors including education, income, and occupational status that contribute to household head power to make the surgery decision in a severe economic condition.