Chapter 1
Motivations
The urge to decorate the body and control one’s appearance is
a universal human trait. Each of us uses clothing, hairstyles, and so
on to express our individuality and to make the most of the gifts or
curses—perceived or real—bestowed by nature. The standards
of beauty and popular styles vary with time and place. Nowadays, in
Western culture, we have more choices than ever to manipulate and customize
our looks. The options range from mild adjustments such as hair dye
and teeth whitener, to more extreme, but still socially acceptable practices
like liposuction and breast implants. Although body modification is
still currently less conventional than, say, getting a nose job, it
has become more prevalent in today’s world.
Piercing and other types of body modification are methods of changing
the actual physical form, which is empowering in a way that may not
be fully understood by those who have never participated in it. Women,
in particular, are bombarded by the media’s unrealistic notions
of beauty, which deeply affect self-esteem and body image. They may
turn to piercing or other forms of body art to help them embrace a positive
attitude about themselves. While there is no unanimous consensus about
whether body jewelry enhances appearance, aesthetics is a widespread
motivating factor for piercing.
Who Gets Pierced and Why?
From adolescents to adults of all ages, people of every race and sexual
orientation get body piercings—anyone who has the interest, the
courage, and the freedom to make a statement (overt or covert) with
their body. I have pierced people from all professions and socioeconomic
backgrounds—rocket scientists, clergy, and retired grandparents
among them.
A casual observer sipping a drink at a sidewalk café in any college
town in the US or Europe might be justified in concluding that every
college student in the world has a few extra holes in the head. However,
piercing is not exclusively a youth phenomenon, nor always a rebellious
statement. No one should assume that their doctor or banker doesn’t
sport a little metal secret simply because they appear normal.
What are the motivations that inspire these diverse people to face deep-seated
fears of needles and pain, withstand discomfort, brave embarrassment,
and endure the scorn of strangers, families, or employers to willfully
undergo the needle? For piercees, the impetus to do such a thing must
be very strong indeed, but for the balance of the populace, the penchant
for body piercing is nearly incomprehensible.
Fom the superficial to the profound, there are a multitude of reasons
for getting pierced. It might be about attracting attention, the sensation
of metal through flesh, or the opportunity to wear some extra “bling.”
For others, piercing is a response to deep internal triggers.
On
to Chapter 2
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a brief summary of each chapter |