Body Modification in America Essay

Tattoos and teenagers. Both can be seen as reckless and perhaps even a sign of rebellion. However, tattoos have become so popular and is now considered a new trend in today’s society as they are seen everywhere. Why are tattoos seen as trendy now a days?Teens are introduced to tattoos by seeing them on someone’s skin, in magazines, in stores, in ads, or maybe just walking down a street and seeing a tattoo parlor. Andres Martin’s importance in writing this article is to inform parents about why tattoos get teenagers as well as his psychiatrist friends and how tattoos help to get to know their patients better. He also tries to open up people’s minds on just why exactly teenagers get tattoos as they are not only a current fad, but also have to

Only 1 percent of Americans are estimated to have body dysmorphia, yet it is present in 15 percent of those undergoing plastic surgery (Nowak 20). This disorder greatly interferes with daily life, as it often results in solitude, excessive grooming, social inadequacies, and hours of obsession. For instance, 25 percent of those with body dysmorphia have been housebound for over a week (Metules 32ac4). Just like those with breast augmentation surgery, the rates of suicide among these patients are alarmingly high. People with body dysmorphia are 45 times more likely to commit suicide than the average person: 2 times more than those with major depression, and 3 times more than those with bipolar disorder. (Nowak 20) Evidently, candidates for aesthetic plastic surgery are facing problems far deeper than physical

Moderation is important when discussing tattooing and piercings. When tattooing, piercings, and body modifications began to alter the overall appearance of the individual, the individual would be considered deviant by majority of society. There are many individuals in the United States that have tattoos and piercings, but majority of the people have tattoos that can be concealed or tattoos and piercings that are not gaudy. An article titled, “Tattoos in the Workplace” discussed that in 2012 a poll was conducted that stated that 21% of adults in the United States had tattoos (Osland, 2013). However, nearly 60% of people that have tattoos, have them in areas that are hidden by clothes (Kesling, 2013). Although this study may not cover every single individual in the United States, it does give a

Teenagers are rebellious by nature, as adolescence adventures down the road of self-identity. Teens are often viewed as the miscreants or vandals that plague the streets with their toxicity and obscene tendencies, and although aggravating, proves vital for increased maturity in future endeavors. However, teens can make decisions that last a lifetime, for example, tattoos. Tattoos are fairly controversial at younger ages, but are growing more and more popular amongst adolescents with the introduction and glorification of such body art by varying media, such as celebrities. Teenagers are exploring the realm of body modifications at ever increasing rate, but contradictory to common opinion, tattoos are a great candidate for an emotional catalyst, source of stability in a time of need, or reminders of time long far gone.

In the current era, most of the people are obsessed with their body ritual wealth. They are in a constant race of outshining the others in terms of their outer looks and body shapes. To appear attractive, many people do stuff that might give them short term happiness or satisfaction but their results can be horrifying. Are people playing with their bodies? Well, I guess they are. They tend to ruin their natural self. Horace Miner, the writer of “Body Rituals Among the Nacirema,” was absolutely right when he mentioned in his article that today’s main focus is the human body, and that people have taken in their appearances and health so much that they have become a major component of America’s culture today. In fact,

Body modification, which means to alter ones' physical appearance, is a phrase that tends to bring up many negative implications and judgment from people who are not fully aware of all the things that can fall under that subject. Body modification can be something as simple as having ones' ears pierced, or something to the extreme, such as pearling (inserting small beads underneath the skin of the genitals). However, the act of body modification is something that has been in nearly every culture since the beginning of time.

The article “On Teenagers and Tattoos,” by Andres Martin is an expository article examining the psychological positions of teenagers on tattoos, which have become a “battleground” between adults and teenagers who are in a stage of development (para. 1). The audience that Andres Martin addresses are child psychiatrists who are making an attempt of understanding how tattoos help adolescents identify themselves. The audience, being people with professional studies, would expect for Andres Martin’s work to be thoroughly researched providing a strong sense of knowledge. The expectations of the audience would also include, for the article to be based primarily on facts with supporting evidence. I believe the author was able to meet the expectations,

In the article “On Teenagers and Tattoos,” Andres Martin says that “Tattoos and piercings have become a part of our everyday landscape” (Andres Martin, 2000, p.143). Suggesting that it is very common for teens to have piercings and tattoos. That tattoos can also help teenagers form their own identities. Martin’s first argument is that tattoos and piercings offer a solution to the identity crisis that many teens face today. Since the typical teenage body changes so much, a tattoo is the one thing that cannot change on the

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. Whateverthe 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

Is getting a tattoo the result of an identity crisis, or does it mean you’ve finally found your identity? In today’s modern world, tattoos can be seen on many teenagers as both rebellion and self- fulfilling at the same time. Author Andres Martin of ‘On Teenagers and Tattoos’ provides examples in his article about how the public today views teenagers. Despite the fact that Andres Martin is successful by connecting with adults on a professional level, he is unsuccessful by ‘guilting’ teenagers into thinking if they have a tattoo they have a problem or have had an identity crisis. ‘On Teenagers and Tattoos’ is written from the profession viewpoint of Andres Martin, a child psychiatrist, who discusses the ramifications of getting a tattoo at such

In his article, Martin first sets the stage by eliminating possible arguments made against why tattoos on teenagers have gone too far, and then he outlines the uneven relationship society has on a young person’s mind and draws a comparison to the larger identity issue of why teenagers result to decorating themselves. Martin continues by discussing some of the reasons that adults do not agree with their children piercing or tattooing: oppositional and enraging affronts to authority. Possible solutions to the problem, martin suggests, include

These days, the pattern of body change is by all accounts at a top. You can see teenagers and youths meandering around in the avenues displaying excellent gems in their pierced lips, nose, button or eyebrows, and extended ear cartilage.

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

Body piercing has been a fast-growing phenomenon in Western, developed nations since the early 90's. Interestingly enough, this form of "neo-art" has its roots in the ancient traditions of many tribal cultures.

Tattoos today are recognized as totally different than what they were pictured as in the past. “Tattooing is recognized by government agencies as both an art form and a profession and tattoo-related art work is the subject of museum, gallery and educational institution art shows across the United States.” [ (Levins,