Body art and piercings are controversial to this day because its making people have trouble in their career, life ,and cause diseases which to me seems very terrible. In 1991 a man called East Buc from over “4,000 B,C”, told us that tattoos were really here from the beginning of the world. At ancient times to be tattooed would be painful and might even end up been death for them.. It was used to mark on slaves to show others that they were slaves in “WWII”. Then came from tribes called Aztecs and Mayas. To them a tongue piercing was made to draw blood to appreciate their god and create a passage their god. This indicated to serve their religious purpose. The africans later had the lip pierced and still happens till this day. Many people have used body modification and so called art (tattoos) to show how their economy has been, culture, and emotions. This has been done in the past for adornments on the body. They have even made it fashion like all the famous people thinking is good ,but not wandering of the danger it has to your health. People have done this because their life was miserable ,but they really don't have to show feelings like that they should go to therapists instead of marking something that doesn't go away any more. They should think twice before something insane is done. Even health professionals think this is extremely bad. Why? because it could damage your blood supply. Although you may have it in small places like the earlobes, it just might happen that your skin will fall off. It can contaminate your blood causing you to have venom inside you and won't be able to donate to the people that need it really bad. Hernandez Daisy pg.2 Then this leads people to criticize gender because back then any pierci... ... middle of paper ... ...ave loss a lot of blood which is really hard to recover. A lady had a very harsh accident of some overdose. The doctors had to put a tube down her throat, but were having some trouble. Why? she had a 1 inch long metal across her tongue when the doctor said “If you have to rip her tongue , just do it “. To me people just want to make their life so difficult because they want something thats very angelic but seems to me they are addicted to doing holes on them. People should care for their health because think of the people that love you they would be without you an miss you so much it would make a damage to them. Not all things that you see are wealthy. My opinion beside the research I've done we are not animals to write on your body or tear our flesh, we are human beings and are body needs to be healthy for a long lasting life that is really meant to cherished.
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.
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.
Every day, tattoos have become apart of almost everyones daily life. Wether it be simply seeing someone with some on the street, to giving hundreds of them a day. While admiring their beauty, however, many people don’t think about the history behind the practice and how they have developed over the centuries. Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. One of the earliest evidence of tattoos being practiced was from the Iceman found with tattoos from the area of the Italian and Austrian border and was carbon dated to be around 5200 years old. Matching it's time, they use long one stakes dipped in soot.
If individuals neglect to adjust to the circumstances, then the society is going to eventually fall apart. Aside from tattoos and piercings, how would our society act upon other abnormalities, such as disabilities or age? If someone with a disability were able to complete the tasks required for a specific job, would employers not hire this person because he or she does not want a disabled person seen in their business, because it looks “bad” for the company? If a younger adult who was qualified for the job came in for the same job as an elder, would the elder be chosen first, just because he has lived longer, and supposedly has had more “experience”? If the answer to these two questions is yes, then the society is looking at life in the wrong way. These examples are similar to the tattoos and modifications situation. Society as a whole has to realize, if the person is able to do what he or she is told, then there should be no conflict, no matter what complications the employers have with the individual’s appearance.
Body art and clothing choices are big components of fashion. David Kirby, author of "Inked Well" writes about how he once hated tattoos and thought they made people look unsophisticated, if you will. He met with many people who had gotten tattoos in the past and one specific person he met changed his whole reasoning as to why he thought tattoos were unnecessary. Her name was Jodie, and of all the subjects Kirby interviewed, Jodie was the most kind-hearted. Jodie, a recent self-abuser, shared with Kirby why she had spent so many long, tedious hours in the tattoo shop and her response was, "It didn't take me long to realize that getting tattooed was quite comparable to cutting myself; it was a way for me to 'bleed out' the emotional pains which I was unable to deal with otherwise.(Inked Well )" Tattooing caused Jodie to find an alternative way to release her pain. David Kirby was very much so a follower of society and by the end of his endeavor into the effects of tattooing he found he had a newfound respect for the "outsiders." Today more and more people are getting tattoos and in return they are becoming more acceptable; if discrimination towards tattooing can diminish then so can any other discriminatory
In America the practice of body piercing is everywhere, especially among young people, who are getting several parts of their bodies pierced either as an affirmation of their personal individuality, as a means of sexual gratification or stimulation, a reclamation of their bodies from physical or emotional trauma, or for as a means of adornment. Whatever the reason, it's widespread. Body piercing is the piercing of the ears, nose, septum, cheeks, lip, tongue, nipples, navel, clitoris, labia, penis, and scrotum. Says California State University anthropologist James Myers, Ph.D. body piercing is "possibly as old as genus Homo." (Todd, Richard, p.1) Body piercing studios are popping up all over the country in a response to the growing demand for having a needle poked through your skin. Contrary to popular belief, body piercing is not being performed by freakish subculture deviants. In order to be a reputable piercer one has to take a rigorous course of education in the principals and methods of body piercing. This is a step toward the acceptance of body piercing in mainstream America, where it is still viewed with mistrust by many. Body piercing allows a person to express their individuality in a new way: by putting a needle through yourself, you mark your body as your own (Delaney, Jim, p.3). By exploring some of the motivations behind body piercing, onediscovers that it's not an unhealthy practice (unless performed in an unsterile environment or the piercing is not adequately cared for by the piercee- both of which are heavily discouraged by piercing advocates). Indeed, body piercing is a healthy way to express your individuality or improve your self image.
There still is a lot of intolerance towards people who have tattoos especially towards people who have a lot of them but these days a tattoo here and there is not looked down as it once was. There was a time when only "low lives," were thought of as having tattoos and people who had them were dirty criminals and should not be associated with. Due to the mainstream of the world not accepting the practicing of tattoos many tattooists and their clients went into an underground state. It was not always easy for people to even find a tattoo artist even if they were brave enough to be labeled a "low life" by the majority of culture. A lot of places even banned tattooing due to the fact that they thought tattooing was morally wrong and a health risk. Tattooing was still illegal in New York City until 1993. The mystery that surrounds the art of tattooing has always created ignorant ideas from people who are misinformed.
Throughout history, tattoos have been condemned as marks of degradation and disapproval. Tattoo in the English language has its own negative definition. “The Latin word for ‘tattoo’ is stigma and the original meaning is reflected in modern dictionaries. Among the definitions of ‘stigma’ listed by Webster are a ‘prick with a pointed instrument,’ . . .’ a distinguishing mark cut into the flesh of a slave or a criminal,’ and ‘a mark of disgrace or reproach" (Gilbert, 15). Tattoos were used punitively in early western history, whereas in recent history to present it is more a matter of self expression. The people who have excessive tattoos exhibit more deviant behavior than those who do not. The legacy of deviance and negative connotation surrounding tattooing persists to this day.
Whether society is changing their views on tattoos for the good or bad, it will always be a symbol, art, and or resemblance to others. Where you decide to get the placement of a tattoo is totally up to you. The criticism and the admirations of others will come and go depending on the generation and era one may grow up in.
The history of tattooing goes back as far as 3000 B.C or further, the oldest example of tattooing is Otzi the Iceman, his body bears the oldest examples of tattooing and he was found frozen in the Alps and was discovered in 1991. The origin of the word tattoo comes from the Polynesian word ‘ta’, this means to strike something, but it also comes from the Tahitian word ‘tatau’ which means to mark something. Polynesia is known for its intricate tattoos and is considered to have the most skilful tattooing history of the ancient world. In Polynesia the position of a tattoo and the symbol is it, is very important as tattoos are a display of a person’s manna, which is their spiritual power, they are also a way of showing a person’s character, making the men more attractive to the women. Throughout an individual’s lifetime geometric tattoos are added to their body until their entire body is covered, these tattoos are renewed all throughout their lifetime so that none fade or disappear but before getting tattooed a person had to experience a long period of cleansing, during this time a person wasn’t allowed any contact with the opposite sex, they also had to fast for a certain amount of time. In Samoa the tradition of tattooing shows your rank and title, the tattooing ceremonies for young chiefs, which are normally at the beginning of puberty are key parts to their journey to being a leader, these tattoos celebrate their loyalty to cultural traditions. Tattoo masters are very important in Polynesian tattoo culture, they know the meanings behind certain tattoos and they know how to create more meanings through combining tattoos, sea creatures are the most common symbol in Polynesian tattoos. Tattoo styles v...
For as long as there have been people, there have been methods of distinction amongst them. Throughout the years we have discovered ways in which to express our beliefs, our ideals, and our passions. Tattooing has been one of forefront methods in expressing our humanity, or in certain cases, our lack there of. For so many, they have taken on many different representations, each with an equal level of significance. The importance found in the symbolism of tattoos and their cultural relevance has consistently been a trend found throughout history, religion, and art.
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.
The College Student journal article reports the survey of 400 undergraduates at a large southeastern university. Many women were likely to agree with the “As I get older, tattoos may not mean the same thing.” Women tend to hide their tattoos as men like to have theirs visible such as a sleeve, chest tattoos, neck tattoos, and face tattoos. 35% of men said that they “absolutely want a piercing sometime in my life” (p<.001). For a woman, a piercing can be sexy, attractive addition to her persona with no real threat to her future role. 30% of men who had been pierced felt like they were better
Dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries North American tattooing originated in the island of Tahiti, and other small pacific islands including Samoa and Hawaii (DeMello). The modification by U.S tattooists was to “fit a local sensibility emphasizing patriotism rather than exoticism” (DeMello). Martin Hildebrandt, was the first known tattoo artist in the United States as a professional. Shortly after the first mechanical tattooing machine was created, up until this point tattoos had been done by hand. A tattoo machine was invented because tattoos become a fad with mili...
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.