Body Piercing: Reclamation, Enhancement, And Self-Expression Essay exam

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 met hods 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. In the nineties, more and more young people are sporting rings through various parts of their bodies. This is known as body piercing, and it has made a considerable imprint on young people. Body piercing is the practice of piercing the ears, eyebrows, tongue, nose, septum, lip, cheek, nipples, navel or genitals for varied reasons. It's becoming more and more common: Body piercing shops are cropping up all over the country and business is booming. Says piercer Kent Fazekas, who owns Indianapolis-based Body Accents Inc, " ...I think it's here to stay." (Eckert, Toby, 1) The practice of body piercing among young Americans is part of a quest for individuality. Brooklyn body piercing studio Modern Americ... ...gn statement of who these people are and what they believe in. All too often it is ignorance that leads people to spurn body piercing. By educating yourself on the subject it becomes plain to see that body piercing is a powerful tool for self-expression and emotional security. By going through the pain of the piercing, the emotionally insecure regains a feeling of control. Works Cited 1. Trebay, Guy. "Hole in one" The Village Voice July 7, 1995: p.18 2. Eckert, Toby. "Body Accents Pierces Traditional Business Image with Wares to Wear" Indianapolis Business Journal March 3, 1997: p.45 3. Leo, Jon. "The Modern Primitives" US. News and World Report July 31, 1995: p.16 4. Wattenberg, Daniel. "A Parents' Guide to Body Piercing" Forbes September 23, 1996: pp. 166-173 5. Howard, Dylan. "Holier than Thou" The Yale Daily News November 10, 1995: p.3 6. Todd, Richard. "Look What They've Done to my Bod, Ma" Psychology Today May/June 1993: p.8 7. Delaney, Jim. "Piercing for Beginners" Prime Magazine September 26, 1995: pp. 19-23 8. Alexander, Keith. "About Body Piercing." Body Modification Ezine 3pp. World Wide Web http://www.bme.freeQ.com June 1997