Betsy Alvarado (FGCU): Piercings

Piercings are a way of expressing one’s individuality to the world. Coming from someone who has had quite a few piercings, I think I am an expert on this fashion statement. I never really questioned why I liked getting pierced. I came across a study that explores the reasons why people become body modifiers. It states: “Personality type correlates with one’s ability to be able to tolerate and control pain… those who have low anxiety have the highest tolerance…. ‘Body Modifiers,’-those who place themselves in pain-…not only do this for commercial value, but to translate an inner emotional turmoil into a physical representation, as well as define their individuality.”  

I have a high tolerance for pain and mild anxiety because of every day stressful situations. If I needed to take my mind off things, I would get something pierced. It was like killing two birds with one stone; my emotional state brightened and I had a new accessory to show off.  Even though, most of the time, I would have to deal with my problems after getting a piercing, I felt revived and stable; the irrationality of each situation disappeared and I could tackle everything on my plate in a sane matter. Without realizing it, getting pierced became a ritual for me; it was also something I increasingly enjoyed as I modified my body more and more. It sounds peculiar, but I actually liked the pain; I was in control of the situation and excited about the outcome.

Freedom of expression started my love of piercings. I loved getting the radical response, “How many piercings do you have?!” A five minute conversation would occur: when, where, and why do you have so many? I guess I liked the fact that I had a reason to stand out, without being ashamed of my individuality. Although I didn’t get the best reactions, from a good amount of people, my parents included, I would never take them out for anyone, but myself. I believe if you are comfortable enough to express personality through a physical attribute, why not do it? What is the fun in being safe? What is the fun in being “normal?” How do you even define normal? The problem with our society is that we only focus on OUR society. It is hard to remember the cultures that express their eccentricity through different and unique ways. Some cultures demonstrate their beauty through how many rings can be placed around their necks or the size of a disk they can place in their lips.  Many African, South American and Amazonian tribes distinguish the size of lip plates based on status and beauty. The bigger the plate, the more “power” attained. These odd expressions are normal and accepted completely in those cultures.

Even though, I love the fact that body modification still hasn’t become the latest trend, why can’t piercings, tattoos, etc. be completely accepted here, too? Is it fair to this generation, and the ones hereafter, to be subdued to norms of the past? I think not! Next time someone is walking down the hall, has a blue Mohawk and a septum piercing, try not to look disgusted. Appreciate and embrace the poise they carry. Who knows, they could be your future best friend or soul mate going through a rebellious phase.

This entry was posted on 12. April 2009 at 18:44 and is filed under Introduction to Sociology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.