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Body piercings
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Throughout the world, many individuals have body piercings. Various parts of the body can be pierced, including the navel, earlobe, eyebrow, or even the septum. The many different areas of the body that can be pierced have caused major controversy. While many believe that piercings are an exquisite form of art, others believe that piercings are tacky and a form of self-mutilation. Permanently marking ones skin to insert jewelry has become a hobby that the American culture has become obsessed with. Looking into a crowd of randomly selected people, the amount of individuals who have multiple body piercings is shocking. Although piercings were originally meant to have significant meaning in other cultures, body piercings are a form of self- mutilation that can cause severe scarring and permanent damage to the skin and mind. Piercing the skin is the act of inserting a needle or piece of metal into the body to insert jewelry (ShareCare 1). Body piercing has been a hobby of individuals for many centuries. According to Tribu, a website dedicated to the history of body art, “The oldest mummified body to be found with pierced ears and expanded earlobes (7-11mm in diameter) was found frozen in an Austrian Glacier, and tests show it to be over 5,000 years old” ( Tribu 1). Body piercings were originally symbols for different religious and moral beliefs. Piercings on areas such as the tongue were symbols for the blood-shed of God, while ear piercings were believed to ward off evil spirits (Tribu 1). The body piercings quickly evolved over time, transforming from symbols into a different form of beauty and style. In recent times, many men and women have endured piercings for purposes other than symbolization. Many individuals receive pierc... ... middle of paper ... ...en. "Self‐Care versus Self‐Harm: Piercing, Tattooing, and Self‐Injuring in Eating Disorders." European Eating Disorders Review 2005. Pgs. 11-18. Favazza, Armando R. "The coming of age of self-mutilation." The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 1998. Pgs. 259-268. Koenig, Laura M., and Molly Carnes. "Body piercing." Journal of general internal medicine 1999. Pgs 379-385. Laumann, Anne E., and Amy J. Derick. "Tattoos and Body Piercings in the United States: a National Data Set." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2006. Pgs. 413- 421. Martell, James. “The History of Body Piercings.” TheHistoryof.net, 2008. Revised 2014. Web. 8 April 2014. Mwai, Collins. “Body Art: Self-Expression or Self-Mutilation?” The New Times Rwanda, 2014. Web. 8 April 2014. Tribu London LTD. “ History of Body Piercing.” Tribu 2014. Revised March 2014. Web. 9 April 2014.
Tattoos have been utilized in various ways for thousands of years, ranging from punishment, to status symbols and indications of religious beliefs. They have served as the ultimate illustration of cultural diffusion in America, and despite generally carrying a negative social stigma, perception of tattoos has continued to evolve into a more acceptable practice.
Society has changed in many ways over the years; at one point tattoos were considered unprofessional and disgusting to most people, but today, they are quite common amongst young adults and people who enjoy art. Parents and people of many older generations, sometimes struggle to understand why this new interest in tattoos has been able to consume American culture so quickly. Prior to this boom of interest in tattoos, there were many horror stories that surrounded the subject due to unsanitary tools used and possible diseases a person could catch if a mistake was made. Lois Desocio is one of those adults who has struggled to understand tattoos, especially since her son Alec began to fill his body with them. As Alec’s collection of body art continues
In today’s society oral piercing and tattoos are considered a form of self-expression and body art. It is most common among people between the ages of 18 and 30 years old. Those who chose to have tongue piercing and oral tattoos believe that it reflects fashion, a daring personality, independence, and their sexuality. In other cases oral piercings and oral tattoos may be done because of the need for acceptance into a peer group, desire to assert individuality, or for spiritual
The aftercare of a tattoo is complex for the first couple of weeks. The tattoo cannot be soaked in water for 7-10 days, it cannot be exposed to the sun for 2-3 weeks, and it is detrimental that the skin is not picked or scratched in the area around the tattoo also. Also, the tattoo parlor that is chosen by a person determines the immediate aftercare instructions. Some say to remove the bandage right away. While others insist that you leave it on for two hours. This contains a risk since you don’t know which way is more accurate and safer. Body piercing is far easier to take care of in the weeks following the piercing. Depending on the body part all that is suggested is that for the first few weeks you apply a disinfection lotion or some other form of anti-bacterial liquid. Other than that piercings are free of care.
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 and curiosity and create a challenge to discursive practices.
Your mouth is an environment full of breeding bacteria causing an easy access for infection and swelling to occur. One of every five piercings results in infection from dirty puncture wounds. According to the American Dental Association an infection could become life threatening if not taken care of immediately. Consequently your mouth and tongue could swell so much causing a blockage of the airway making it difficult to breathe. It also could cause speech problems especially with S’s and T’s due to an increased saliva production from the jewelry. This can also alter taste. Piercing can furthermore cause a more likelihood of the transmission of herpes simplex virus and hepatitis B and C (Rudolph, 2013). Infection can also increase risk for endocarditis. To help prevent swelling it is recommended to allow small pieces of ice to melt in the mouth and also sleep with the head elevated above the heart for the first few days. It is crucial to not share plates, cups, and eating utensils to keep from passing bacteria. Using a salt water rinse and avoiding alcohol and spicy foods can also help decrease swelling and infection.
Body modification is defined as any deliberate alteration to ones’ physical appearance. Most people think that only tattoos and piercings fall into this classification, but this is barely grazing the surface of the extents that body modification can lead to. Anything from a simple ear lobe piercing to breast implants, or tattoos and scarifications are all considered as some form of modification. In western cultures, modifications are made for aesthetics and self-expression, but every culture is different. Native American tribes find spiritual clarity or vision in body suspension, where the body is literally hung on hooks, and in Imperial China's practice of binding the feet of women to represent wealth and beauty. In this paper we will not only look into different piercings, but the history behind them and tattoos as well, also the different modifications that various cultures practice, and why. I will explore tribes such as the Mursi tribe in Ethiopia and the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India. By the end you will have learned about various cultures and traditions, and have a whole new perspective of the art of body modification.
Tattoos and body modifications have been around for many generations. They first began in 3370 BC and were used by Europeans and Egyptians. Both tattoos and body modifications are defined as a cultural representation of self-expression and sometimes even religion. In the article “Tattoos and Piercing: Issues of Body Modification and the Workplace,” Dr. Elzweig states, “Although tattooing is not a new phenomenon, the number of people who have tattoos has increased significantly and continues to rise. Life magazine estimated in 1936 that only 10% of me American population was tattooed in whole or in part (One out of ten Americans is tattooed, 1936)” (Elweig, Peeples).
Bible, Jon D. Tattoos And Body Piercings: New Terrain For Employers And Courts. Jon D. Bible, 2010.
Even though tattoos are becoming part of culture and socially acceptable, the negative and prejudiced attitudes towards those with body art are still present. Not all tattoos are gang related, and one must note that they have historically been a symbol of someone’s culture or religion. Other tattoos may have just a personal meaning to its owner and was not intended to be offensive. People also do not understand that a tattoo may impede them from pursuing a professional career, regardless of their qualifications. Employers realize that the need to recruit workers from different backgrounds are important in such a competitive workforce, so they provide accommodation by having reasonable dress code policies.
A controversial topic today is whether or not body piercings and tattoos should be accepted by professionals working in health care. Currently, tattoos and piercings are allowed in health care as long as they are not visible. According to one of the studies, “Body piercing is defined as a piercing of the body anywhere other than the earlobes” (Westerfield). Therefore, the only visible piercings allowed are small studs in the lobes of the ears for females. The reason body piercings and tattoos are not suggested in health care is that they keep someone from looking professional as well as making them look intimidating. Not everyone sees them that way. The opposing side is that they do not affect
A persons’ image is vital when meeting someone for the first time. Our peers, employers, family, superiors, even strangers that you walk past can automatically judge someone, and imagine how they present themselves to the world. Tattoos have been predominantly linked with a rebellious attitude and pictured on out of control stereotypes such as rock starts, bikers, sailors, and disobedient teenagers who want nothing more than to hack off their parents. With a new coming of age generation and a step into a more lenient and liberal society these types of patrons still participate in body art but so do doctors, lawyers, or just the run of the mill house mom. Tattoos signify religious beliefs, cultural influence, or each individual’s sole style. Body art is no longer socially offensive, employers are more apt to hiring tatted hopeful applicants, parents are warming up to the idea of their children inking their body and no longer a stranger on the street with a tattoo is necessarily prejudged as a criminal or safety hazard. Tattoos have become more evolved over the years because they have become more of a socially accepted element of the general public.
Body piercings have been around since before Biblical times and even earlier. Body piercings have a very interesting and vast history. The piercing methods have been used for a very long time. There are many different types of bodily piercings that a person can get. The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader about the history of body piercings, popular types of body piercings, modern day piercing, and facts about body piercings.
Throughout history, people have decorated and modified the appearance of their bodies in many different ways. Nostril piercings are thought to have been adopted into the noble castes in the Middle East almost 4000 years ago. Nowadays, nostril piercings have been adopted by Christina Aguilera. In South America, Aztec and Mayan priests pierced their tongues as part of a ritual to communicate with their gods. In several African tribes, the beauty of women was determined by the size of plates that were fitted into their upper lips. In ancient civilizations of Egypt, a “perfect belly button” could elevate someone’s social standing. At that time, only Pharaohs and royal families could pierce their navels. Anyone else was promptly executed. A “perfect belly button”, however, could be a peasant’s ticket to a better life. The ancient Romans pierced their nipples (ouch) to show their strength and endurance. It is also theorized that their nipple jewelry held their cloaks in place!
Tattoos have become more prevalent in our society over the last few decades. What used to be a social faux pa or a negative brand has come to be a more acceptable life choice in our culture. However, only those who have joined the inked-up club can describe the sensation of modifying one’s body with art. From the pain and tantric feeling from the stinging that is released as a person allows themselves to be marked for the rest of their life, and the hot pierce of the needle that gives a sensation of feeling alive and the desire to do this again. Tattoos have become a major social focus today, so the psychology behind their popularity warrants discussion. Ultimately, people who get tattoos yearn for individual expression through artwork, acceptance or adherence to some rite of passage, and the physical satisfaction that only the experience of tattooing can provide.