Why Do Some People Modify Their Bodies and What Light Does Sociology

Body modification has been prevalent in society for centuries. It is defined as "the deliberate altering of the human body for any non-medical reason, such as aesthetics, sexual enhancements, a rite of passage, and religious reasons, to display a group affiliation, to create body art, shock value, or self expression." (Wikepidia.org). Put in its simplest term body modification is defined as â€Å"deliberately alter one’s physical appearance† (St. Leone, 2012, para.2). Throughout history, people have modified their bodies to follow certain traditions or as a way of identifying with their culture. There are many reasons why people modify their bodies and these reasons are viewed differently depending on several factors. Body modifications can be carried out purely for aesthetic reasons to create the ‘perfect body’ or one in which the individual believes will make them socially accepted within their group or society. Some forms of body modification involve legitimate practices and are considered to be perfectly acceptable in certain cultures. However, other modifications are said to involve the violation of moral boundaries and overstep social boundaries. This essay will identify some of the different ways in which people modify their bodies. It will also consider the sociological concepts that are related to body modification to provide answers as to why people carry out these changes. In recent decades there has been a greater focus on body modification practices in society and the reasons why people change their bodies. Body modification involves the deliberate altering of one's physical appearance. Although body modification is often associated with piercing and tattoos there are a number of other methods and practices so... ... Sage. Ferrante, J. (2013). Seeing Sociology: An Introduction. London: Cengage Learning. Fixers. (2014). Body Modification Fix. Retrieved fromhttp://www.fixers.org.uk/news/9479-11226/body-modification-fix-on-itv.php Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age. Cambridge: Polity. Langman, L. (2003). Culture Identity and Hegemony: The Body in a Global Age. Current Sociolgy 51(3-4) 223-247. doi:: 10.1177/0011392103051003005 Patterson, S. (2001). Tattoos and Women. [Weblog] Retrieved from http://www.indiana.edu/~urbanflk/body_art/patterson1.html Shilling, C. (2003). The Body and Social Theory. London: Sage Publications. St. Leone, L. (2010). The Art and History of Body Modification. Lightspeed Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/nonfiction/the-art-and-history-of-body-modification/ Why Do Some People Modify Their Bodies and What Light Does Sociology Body modification has been prevalent in society for centuries. It is defined as "the deliberate altering of the human body for any non-medical reason, such as aesthetics, sexual enhancements, a rite of passage, and religious reasons, to display a group affiliation, to create body art, shock value, or self expression." (Wikepidia.org). Put in its simplest term body modification is defined as â€Å"deliberately alter one’s physical appearance† (St. Leone, 2012, para.2). Throughout history, people have modified their bodies to follow certain traditions or as a way of identifying with their culture. There are many reasons why people modify their bodies and these reasons are viewed differently depending on several factors. Body modifications can be carried out purely for aesthetic reasons to create the ‘perfect body’ or one in which the individual believes will make them socially accepted within their group or society. Some forms of body modification involve legitimate practices and are considered to be perfectly acceptable in certain cultures. However, other modifications are said to involve the violation of moral boundaries and overstep social boundaries. This essay will identify some of the different ways in which people modify their bodies. It will also consider the sociological concepts that are related to body modification to provide answers as to why people carry out these changes. In recent decades there has been a greater focus on body modification practices in society and the reasons why people change their bodies. Body modification involves the deliberate altering of one's physical appearance. Although body modification is often associated with piercing and tattoos there are a number of other methods and practices so... ... Sage. Ferrante, J. (2013). Seeing Sociology: An Introduction. London: Cengage Learning. Fixers. (2014). Body Modification Fix. Retrieved fromhttp://www.fixers.org.uk/news/9479-11226/body-modification-fix-on-itv.php Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age. Cambridge: Polity. Langman, L. (2003). Culture Identity and Hegemony: The Body in a Global Age. Current Sociolgy 51(3-4) 223-247. doi:: 10.1177/0011392103051003005 Patterson, S. (2001). Tattoos and Women. [Weblog] Retrieved from http://www.indiana.edu/~urbanflk/body_art/patterson1.html Shilling, C. (2003). The Body and Social Theory. London: Sage Publications. St. Leone, L. (2010). The Art and History of Body Modification. Lightspeed Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/nonfiction/the-art-and-history-of-body-modification/