Body Modification in America Essay - 710 Words

Body modification in American Culture In recent years tattooing and body piercing have become increasingly prevalent in popular culture. These forms of body modification are no longer tools used by criminals and gang member, showing their role in society. These practices are used by many of teenagers and young adults in our society today. In fact many of these practices have been a positive trend in American culture, giving adolescents a way of expressing themselves Studies have revealed a positive correlation between risky behaviors (such as the use of drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol) and participation in body modification. There is a shortage of available research, however, investigating the relationship between body modification and†¦show more content†¦Results suggested different levels of high-risk behavior. There are many reasons for individuals to acquire body modifications. One possible reason for body modifications is to gain attention through displays of extravagance such as those that are found in people with histrionic disorder (Durand amp; Barlow, 2000). A study by Burger amp; Finkel (2002) investigated reasons why people adorn their bodies with tattoos and body piercing. They also researched unmodified participants’ perceptions of body art. When the researchers polled participant group as to their perceptions of body modifications, they found that many people associate tattoos and body piercing with risky behaviors and view them as symbols of drug abuse and violence (Burger amp; Finkel, 2002). They found that a main motivation for people to modify their bodies is to increase self-esteem. The people polled found body art as beautiful and felt more beautiful when they acquired it. A study conducted at Denison University by Lyons and Snyder (1996) described the reasons why c ollege men and women had tattoos and body piercing. The main reason cited by the men with body modifications for getting tattooed or pierced was to identify themselves with a certain group. Women, however, rated their tattoos and piercing to make themselves more individualized or sexually appealing. Other popular reasons for displaying body modifications are to carry on cultural traditions and to increaseShow MoreRelatedBody Modification And Human Physical Appearance1628 Words   |  7 PagesFrom culture to culture, body modification can be viewed as a true positive expression of one’s identity or viewed as forbidden and the person is shunned from society forever. In corporate America, it is considered taboo and will not earn respect or a job. In rural America, you are perceived as unclean and destroying the perfect body God gave you. But, in urban America on the streets of Brooklyn, the person is unique and exciting. 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