Body Modification Essay

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Research paper The Psychology of Body Modification Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Undergraduate Degree in Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising October , 2009 Abstract Body Modification practices have been in existence for centuries past but has only gained prominence in recent times. This can mostly be attributed to popularization by the media especially in the west. These practices are characterized by serving no therapeutic purpose and are largely done for aesthetic purposes. Modifications come in the form of socially acceptable ones and those that are shunned by the majority of the community mostly due to their profane nature. While the practices are not uniform across all cultures, there exists some form of universally acceptability. Of particular interest is the role in which they play in society which ranges from ritualistic roles to identity roles. Various implications arise as a result of body modifications. These implications are normally felt at a personal level by the person on whose body the modifications have been done. Some of these implications may include loss of employment or discrimination by the society. These is lack of well defined legislative measures protecting a persons right for self expression through body modification and as such one should take great care before embarking on any form of bodily modification. The Psychology of Body Modification Introduction In the recent past, there has reemerged an interest in Body Modification in the west. The forms of body modifications that have enjoyed this resurgence are tattooing and piercings. This occurrence can be attributed to the issue of self identity which has been prevalent on man’s mind since the Stone Age days. Featherstone (2000) attributes body modification practices to the need to "take control of one's body" and hence make a statement or
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