The Negative Impact of Body Modifications

Body Modification’s (BM’s) have been known for many years dating back to the 19th century in

many different cultures. According to Brandes, K., Fix-Griffin, L., Glassmeyer, D., Hawkins,,

L., Hawkins, R., LeJeune, M., "The Body Project", (2014), there are several different cultural

traditions of BM such as nose piercing associated with Hinduism, neck elongation in Thailand

and Africa, henna tattooing in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, tooth filing in Bali, lip

piercing and earlobe stretching in Africa, and female and male circumcision in many areas of the

world. More common today are piercings (in multiple various forms), tattoos, breast implants,

penile implants, cosmetic alterations, to extreme modifications such as silicone implants, that lie

just under the skins surface, that sometimes enhance a tattoo to create a three-dimensional look

or to create an image that is characteristic such as inserting silicone and mesh in the cranial area

to create the look of horns.

In common, these modifications are generally used to appear more desirable, or express an image

of their inner personality, to conform to beauty ideals, and obtain the “perfect body” image.

While these BM’s can create an ideal image to the ones who receive them, there are also great

risks that can come of them.

Two prominent history examples of Body Modifications are Foot binding and corseting. For

hundreds of years, foot binding was commonly performed in China, on girls, beginning between

the ages of 3 and 7 and continuing throughout their lives. All toes but the big one were broken

and folded under. The foot was then wrapped very tightly. The bandages were changed

frequently, maintaining constant pressure. By the end of the process, women’s fe...

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...n out of body experience by enduring pain until their mental state alters. And there

are some that go through with Plastic surgery because they have endured medical hardship, such

as breast cancer, and want to feel “normal” again. I also see that the way people crash diet, and

generally, all of these modifications are to maintain a socially constructed appearance of the

“perfect body”.

Works Cited

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders

(5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing

Brandes, K., Fix-Griffin, L., Glassmeyer, D., Hawkins,, L., Hawkins, R., LeJeune, M., et al.

(n.d.). The Body Project . Bradley University: Retrieved May 28, 2014, from

http://www.bradley.edu/sites/bodyproject/disability/modification/

Nowak, R. (2006). WHEN LOOKS CAN KILL. New Scientist, 192(2574), 18-21.