tattoos and body piercing

After the VERY!!! interesting yet graphic lecture on modification I have surmised there are four types of modification which overlap. they are:

• non-invasive
• invasive
• temporary
• permanent

The possible reasons for body modification are:

• aesthetic/artistic
• religious
• rites of passage
• part of membership of a group
• sexual
• rebellion
• fashion
• body as a source of information/messages
• a form of control
• remembrance

The reasons it is seen as bad:

• religious
• societal
• medical
• pain
• racism/religious bigotry
• sexual morals

The types of body modification we looked at included

• piercings
• stretches
• splitting
• branding
• implants
• cutting/scarring
• corsettry
• plastic surgery
• high heels
• foot binding
• henna/mendhi
• tooth filing
• suspensions

I think the main thing I learnt in this lecture is how effective societies norms are at enforcing certain behaviours. In our culture women piercing their ears is considered normal and belly button piercings are only 'normal' for women. In comparison 'giraffe necking' women is normal in some cultures but not here. People who get piercings etc to rebel may not be rebelling as much as they think.

If you really want to rebel, and protect yourself from walruses I suggest something like this: