Body Piercing 101
There are various aspects through which people identify themselves. People are always sending some sort of message out at all times. These messages are means of communications about the individual to his or her peers and to society. Styles of dress, language, music, and dance are some of the ways that describes one’s own unique symbols, values, and meanings. One other signifier of identity is body piercing. Body piercing is a form of body modification, in which you puncture a hole in a part of your body and insert some kind of jewelry in the wound to keep it from closing. Body piercing has been a way for people to express themselves for many centuries. For some, it may be a fad, religious
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Gladiators would have their genitals pierced for two reasons. They would insert a ring through the head of the penis to tie the organ back with a piece of leather. This was done so they wouldn’t get hurt in combat. With a large ring or bar, it would prevent the gladiator from having sex without consent form his owner. The Lip Labret piercing was used for many reasons. Male members from the Aztecs and Mayans would wear lip labret made up of pure gold to represent their high rank in their society. Females in African tribes would also wear lip labrets; these were made out of wooden plates. The larger the wooden plate would be, the larger your lip would stretch. Men would find these females very sexually attractive. In ancient Egypt, the Pharos and royal families was the only people to pierce their navels because it was their way of representing their supreme social standing. Any servant who broke this rule and pierced their navels were killed unless their belly button was considered the “perfect” belly button, in which, at that point they had the chance to elevate their social standing.
Body piercing now in the 21st century, is very popular among youngsters today. Teens are getting their bodies pierced more than ever, and in every place imaginable. Some find body piercing particularly attractive in its own way. Traditional piercing and styles may reconnect an individual with his ethnic roots. Others use body
Tattoos and teenagers. Both can be seen as reckless and perhaps even a sign of rebellion. However, tattoos have become so popular and is now considered a new trend in today’s society as they are seen everywhere. Why are tattoos seen as trendy now a days?Teens are introduced to tattoos by seeing them on someone’s skin, in magazines, in stores, in ads, or maybe just walking down a street and seeing a tattoo parlor. Andres Martin’s importance in writing this article is to inform parents about why tattoos get teenagers as well as his psychiatrist friends and how tattoos help to get to know their patients better. He also tries to open up people’s minds on just why exactly teenagers get tattoos as they are not only a current fad, but also have to
Moderation is important when discussing tattooing and piercings. When tattooing, piercings, and body modifications began to alter the overall appearance of the individual, the individual would be considered deviant by majority of society. There are many individuals in the United States that have tattoos and piercings, but majority of the people have tattoos that can be concealed or tattoos and piercings that are not gaudy. An article titled, “Tattoos in the Workplace” discussed that in 2012 a poll was conducted that stated that 21% of adults in the United States had tattoos (Osland, 2013). However, nearly 60% of people that have tattoos, have them in areas that are hidden by clothes (Kesling, 2013). Although this study may not cover every single individual in the United States, it does give a
Teenagers are rebellious by nature, as adolescence adventures down the road of self-identity. Teens are often viewed as the miscreants or vandals that plague the streets with their toxicity and obscene tendencies, and although aggravating, proves vital for increased maturity in future endeavors. However, teens can make decisions that last a lifetime, for example, tattoos. Tattoos are fairly controversial at younger ages, but are growing more and more popular amongst adolescents with the introduction and glorification of such body art by varying media, such as celebrities. Teenagers are exploring the realm of body modifications at ever increasing rate, but contradictory to common opinion, tattoos are a great candidate for an emotional catalyst, source of stability in a time of need, or reminders of time long far gone.
The body art is an ancient concept of human society. Tattoo and body piercing are the current and common trends of the body art in the American culture. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong to have these things on an individual’s body, if he or she is an art lover but if someone have this just because virtual world personalities have these then it is not relevant for him or her. As my classmates Juliet and Daniela have been mentioned about the harmful consequences of these things on human body in some ways.
The rising popularity of tattoos and body piercing is more than just the latest fashion craze. This type of body art has been a part of this world for thousands of years. Tattoos and piercings have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment (Smithsonian.com). In the later years (1940 – 2000) tattoos and piercings were more common among teenagers and young adults, but now, people of all ages are expressing themselves through body art. To try and understand this rise in the desire to permanently mark ones self, we must first determine the origin and history of tattoos and piercings.
This piercing is given upon the transition to adulthood for young women, and in some cases is never removed. These traditions remain strong in these cultures and can be seen in practice today. Pacific Island cultures also practice ritual body modification including both tattoos and piercings (Why Do People Get Body Piercings?).
Depending on the style one wants, it is said that some cultures may have rules as to what requirements need to be met to get certain tattoos. Polynesian tattoos have been a tradition that has been carried on from about two thousand years ago. “Tattooing is a sacred ceremony in Polynesian culture. The tattoos and their location on the body were determined by one’s genealogy, position within the society and personal achievements.” (PolynesianTattoo). This quote clearly displays the concept that only certain people, depending on their position in society, have the privilege to get certain tattoos and in certain areas of their body. This also allows others to recognize and identify that person’s position in society. In Polynesian cultures, tattoos
everywhere they go, we like piercings because it makes us feel more like ourselves. We like to
Tattoos have become more popular over the last few decades. Many people today see tattoos as a way of
In recent years tattooing and body piercing have become increasingly prevalent in popular culture. These forms of body modification are no longer tools used by criminals and gang member, showing their role in society. These practices are used by many of teenagers and young adults in our society today. In fact many of these practices have been a positive trend in American culture, giving adolescents a way of expressing themselves
Do tattoos identify a person and who they are? I myself have tattoos, many people have tattoos for all different reasons they may stand for something important in their lives could be cultural or religious people feel that tattoos are a symbol of art. Judging a person on his or her tattoos is like judging a book by its cover or judging a person based on their race.
Body modifications, with the focus of tattoos, have existed in our society for centuries and the way in which it is perceived has changed somewhat over the years, yet certain dishonors still remain our modern day. Like most body modifications, tattoos are an often misunderstood form of body modification. Despite the stigmas, tattoos have become a unique object of desire to endless diverse groups of people. But are the popular assumptions of tattoos out of sync with the true meaning behind them? Further explanation and exploration of the history will reveal the social and cultural practices of tattooing and the causal connection between the mind and the tattooed body, in addition to providing answers as to why tattoos stimulate uneasiness
Tattoos are becoming a popular phenomenon that is seen everywhere. Today’s youth are getting permanent tattoos to be cool and trendy, but are not considering the long-term effects. Teenagers should be aware of all that body modification may include, it is not just a pretty picture. Adolescences must consider the dangers and conscientious result of attaining diseases, being underage, and having a permanent mark on their body.
Individuals with tattoos transform their skin in to a social billboard, expressing both explicit and implicit aspects of their identity (Atkinson, 2003), using or acquiring tattoos to communicate known attributes about themselves (Livesley & Bromley, 1973) or attributes that they do not possess but have a desire (Schouten & McAlexander, 1995). For example, riders of Harley Davidson motorcycles may view that brand’s attributes as consistent with their own (actual self) and therefore an individual may decide to acquire a tattoo which is linked to that brand (Schouten & McAlexander, 1995). On the other hand, an individual may aspire to be a Harley rider or aspire to link oneself to the traits of the Harley brand, and therefore an individual may obtain a Harley based tattoo to communicate an attribute of their ideal self (Schouten & McAlexander, 1995). Mun, Janigo and Johnson (2012) take that idea one step further by suggesting the only reason individuals desire specific tattoos is because
Throughout time body piercings and tattoos have become a very common trend in today’s society. Body art including both piercings and tattoos have been around for many years, it used to be a way of communicating through each other but it has now become more of a fashion trend especially among today’s youth. Not only do tattoos and piercings have their own type of fashion but they can also represent many things such as religious traits. Many people ignore the dangers that can come along with tattoos and body piercings, things such as HIV and hepatitis are easily spread through the needles used for these forms of Body Art.