FREE ESSAY ON TATTOOING AND PIERCING

TATTOOING AND PIERCING

There are various aspects through which people, especially youth, identify themselves.
People are always sending some sort of communication out at all times, whether it is
subconscious or not. Images and styles are adopted which communicate meanings about the
individual to his/her peers and to society. Styles of dress, language, music, and dance
are some of the ways that portray one's own unique symbols, values, and meanings. One
other such signifier of identity is through body modification, particularly tattooing and
body piercing. In today's society people have adopted the new style or trend of body
modification. There are many reasons in which people obtain piercings and tattoos. Those
who modify, manipulate and mutilate their bodies do so for many reasons. Some say it's
simply exciting and pleasurable, or part of the latest fad. Others place it in the
context of art, ritual or self-expression-they say it's an act with cultural and social
significance. In contrast, many people can't understand why someone would choose to put
so many holes in their body or cut their skin. They see body modification as
self-destructive, much like anorexia or bulimia. Below I will talk about why, what,
where, and how people modify their body and how people look upon them. Youth and
adolescence is one of, if not the most, significant and influential moments in one's
life, when youth are seeking their identity of who they are. Tattooing and piercing are
one of the many ways through which youth may express their identity, for they are
symbolic representations of how the self is conceived or understood. People may also want
themselves to be portrayed as someone who they are not. For example, someone gets a
tattoo or earrings just to look tough or cool. Getting a piercing or tattoo symbolises a
certain change in ones life. These changes, no matter how minuscule they may seem, have a
huge impact on a person's identity. Usually when a youth gets a tattoo or earring, they
are symbolising their maturity by finally being able to make a decision on their own and
taking matters into their own hands. Body modification is clearly a means by which youth
seek to displace authority and etiquette. Most youth don't think about the lasting affect
it has on there later life when they begin to modify their body. Yes, piercings you can
take out but tattoos will always be there, especially in the business world, tattoos are
nothing to be desired and that you could possibly risk a job because of it. Body piercing
is believed to be a self-imposed rite of passage. By this I mean that people, in general,
feel an instinctive drive to undergo some sort of a rite of passage. If society denies
them this, they may create one for themselves in order to feel as though they have a
place in society. Almost everyone has been tempted to get a tattoo or piercing, but did
you ever ask your self why you wanted one? This theory tries to explain that it is
natural and instinctive and possibly even necessary in order to find your place in
society. Along with this idea, there is a concept that deals with the issue of pain.