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Long before I first considered getting a tattoo, I was surrounded by a plethora of body modifications, including tattoos, piercings, and even obscurities such as human branding and corset or suspension piercings. These were always observed with reactions ranging from horrified avoidance to rapt admiration, depending on the observer and the nature of the modification. My tone of my mother’s general reaction leaned toward a generally liberal acceptance, while my father has trended more towards distaste and simple avoidance. It may come as no surprise then, that I would eventually go on to become inked later on in my life. However, my choice to get tattoos was met with an uncharacteristic acceptance from both parents, resulting in my first questions into body modification, public perception, and what motivates us to so-drastically alter our physical selves. I suppose it was inevitable that I would go on to get tattoos, though I never developed an affinity towards piercings of any type. However, long before I elected to go under the needle, I questioned the motivations underlying many of my peers to do the same. I graduated from an alternative high school, attended by a group of predictably societally non-compliant individuals. I had the opportunity to observe gang-related symbolism, simple physical expressions of rebellion, and even a few truly remarkable pieces of art that had simply been painted upon a canvas of skin, rather than a more traditional medium. For some it was all about freedom of expression, while others were influenced by a desire to display their incompatibility with a society they felt had spurned them. Others yet still were the recipients of markings ostensibly against their will, as mandated by familial or p... ... middle of paper ... ... familial protection is really just my way of saying "Hey world, look at me!" One would hope that this study does not remain in its relative isolation. While it certainly served to scratch the surface of the psychology underlying body modification, it left a multitude of questions unasked, and a vast array of information undiscovered. Maybe one day, with enough research, we can even read the proverbial writing on a person's skin for what it really means, rather than simply observing it as an aperture of someone's physical presentation. Works Cited Wohlrab, S., Stahl, J., Rammsayer, T., & Kappeler, P. (2007). Differences in personality characteristics between body-modified and non-modified individuals: Associations with individual personality traits and their possible evolutionary implications. European Journal of Personality, 21, 931-951. doi: 10.1002/per.642
To survive in society, one must fit in. There are many reasons that people always try to be like everyone else. Some are unsure and others are afraid of being different. Many people change themselves just to fit in. Although tattoos used to be a sign of rebellion, they are now common. In Tattoos were once a sign of rebellion – no...
Today, wearing a business-casual purple turtleneck, gray peacoat and glasses, this confident, capable woman points to the area under her chin. “I’ve just noticed this,” she said, running her fingers under her jaw, across a section of her neck that she believes is dangerously bordering on a double-chin. Like most people, she sees nothing unusual about her physical concerns. “Everyone worries about aspects of their appearance,” she said as she turns her attention away from the mirror and finishes getting dressed. Many people have concerns with the way they look, but some have obsessive, irrational concerns.
Kosut, M. (2006). An Ironic Fad: The Commodification And Consumption Of Tattoos. The Journal of Popular Culture, 39(6), 1035-1048. Retrieved November 29, 2013, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5931.2006.00333.x
Tattoos have been used as a form of decoration on the body of the Egyptian mummies. In fact, tattoos were viewed as a “beautifying operation” to the Typee natives and in Wales they were once a royal fad. There have been many eras to see the tattoo as a prestigious decoration. The Japanese also practiced a form of tattooing that covered their warriors in intimidating designs. But after years of beauty and prestige, what changed the views of people? What made tattoos rebellious and unprofessional?
Many people have been getting tattoos lately. People of all ages have been getting them and from all different backgrounds. On a nice day in just about any public place one can spot a tattoo about every five minutes, from the business man who had a portrait of his daughter put on him to a young girl with a butterfly on her ankle and even people with extensive tattoo coverage. What is even more interesting is the rise in the number of people who are heavily tattooed and that they come from all different backgrounds. Not too long ago tattooing did not experience the popularity in mainstream culture that it does now. The question that must be asked in order to understand this fascination that popular culture has had with tattoos is why people get tattoos.
Body modification by definition is deliberating altering the human body. Most people at one point has altered his or her body at one point whether is to dye his or her hair or to get piercings or getting a tattoo. Since there are many different types of body modifications, most people do not think about extreme body modifications such as piercing in the genitals, splitting the genitals, horn implants, body suspensions, and many more. Body modifications can be deviant and they do lead people to perceive those individuals as criminals, and body modifications can effect on a person’s life.
Body modification, a thing that is becoming more and more popular in our world today. It may harm or help a person in some ways. Some people are unaware that it could stop people from things in life but get it anyway. Body modification may look good but could affect a person's life in the future.
“According to 2010 survey Millennials are the most tattooed generation followed by Generation X” (Negley 1). As Generation X takes over leading roles in our work places, they are allowing new ideas, and different views of social norms to take place. Implementing new social norms for tattoos and piercings will allow the following generations to have the freedom to express themselves freely without being held down by conditions of their employment. “Research reported that in 2009 our nation showed a prevalence rating of 35% for people between the ages of twenties and thirties” (Williams, Thomas, and Christensen 1). This alone shows that our society is changing, and becoming more accepting towards people that receive body modifications. Our country has begun to rethink common standards of professional appearances, specifically to respect the employees that may have tattoos that are
Symbolism and meaning is by far one of the most important aspects of the tattoo industry. “The abstract emotions and human awareness of emotions show what really is going on in ones life (Johnson)”. For that reason tattooing is a form of self-expression, and can stand for literal interpretations. For the most part these interpretations are the conveying of spiritual meaning, or marking milestones such as life or death” (Johnson). For those who think tattooing is just for looks or put a bad judgment on it, should also realize that ones personal interest reflects upon their lives. “Many individuals get their first tattoos during adolescence or young adulthood.”(Bravermark) Due to the mainstream culture, these traditions traditionally associate with stereotypes. Stereotypes defiantly have a huge impact on life. Which leads to the next point? Whether flaunted or hidden, sought as art or brought out on a whim, the tattoo has left a huge impact on generation after generation.
When was the last time you saw a body modification that didn't have a meaning? Body modification has been around for centuries and has helped lift spirits, has helped lift self esteem, and has helped lift physical appearance. Discriminating people for their own personal modifications to their bodies is not acceptable for 3 main reasons: it’s part of people’s culture, religion, and everyday life.
Laumann, Anne E., and Amy J. Derick. "Tattoos and Body Piercings in the United States: a
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.
It seems more and more common these days that many people decorate or alter their body for various reasons. All around the world, people put decorations on and sometimes in their bodies to identify themselves as individuals, identify a social status, achievement or other personal meeting. They scar, paint, pierce, shape, and adorn their skin. These modifications are how people portray their identities and the social groups to which they belong and interact. Each of these social groups has various forms of body art or decoration that represents various times or events during their lives. The style of body decoration used by a person may be indicative of their age, job, gender, wealth, power or even status. Body decoration can be a way of making the body attractive by emphasizing a specific part of the body. Skin decoration can either be permanent or temporary, socially acceptable or socially challenging, or even painful or enjoyable.
In today’s society, over one hundred years since the days of the tattooed women in circus side shows, women who choose to tattoo themselves still meet resistance and adverse reactions. “It has been estima...
The Biological approach to personality places emphasis on the genetic influences related to the development of an individual’s personality. Some may believe that children and their parents can have very similar personalities, for example a young boy having his father’s anger (Stelmack, 1990). Though this approach has often been questioned by psychologists, it is not disregarded all together. Some believe that genetics do have a role in an individual’s personality development; however environments, as well as personal experiences all work in forming personality.