Body Modification And Human Physical Appearance - 1628 Words

From culture to culture, body modification can be viewed as a true positive expression of one’s identity or viewed as forbidden and the person is shunned from society forever. In corporate America, it is considered taboo and will not earn respect or a job. In rural America, you are perceived as unclean and destroying the perfect body God gave you. But, in urban America on the streets of Brooklyn, the person is unique and exciting. Body modification or the deliberate altering of the human anatomy or human physical appearance (Dictonary.com) can be achieved in many ways. Some of the more extreme ways are facial and body piercing and tattoos however, something as small as a basic ear piercing still counts as modification. Many African and†¦show more content†¦These people could show their similarity through the use of similar scarification patterns, similar ear stretching methods, and similar neck stretching technics. This modification also showcases the expressions of the wearer. The wearer could have scars to show age and importance or scars to show marital status and wealth. Tribal people, such as PaDaung women of Thailand, use different forms of modification to flaunt their wealth and marital status in the act of stretching their neck with brass rings. The origins of this tradition is said to be due to â€Å"rendering the women incapable of farming or heavy labor† (Jefkin-Elnekave) which in turn protects the women from being kidnapped by slave traders which is very common in this part of Asia. So, in essence this form of modification actually protects these women. This implies that modification as a whole is used in most cultures as a form of invisibility. People in these cultures ultimately, assume the characteristics associated the modification and strive to live up to the ideals the modification stands for. Furthermore, the Bume of Ethiopia use body scarification as a form of personal achievement earned after a hunt or kill. These scares are given in a complex ritual. This modification is a rite of passage into adulthood for many African tribes. The scarring emulates the manliness of the wearer. The scars show off their achievements and are very prestigious and aid these men in finding aShow MoreRelatedShould Body Modifications Be Allowed?1226 Words   |  5 Pageslimitations as to which occupation they have because modifications do not harm customers or others, they are people who need jobs like the rest of us, and it is unfair. Often, when most people hear the words â€Å"body modifications† they think about the huge plates in people’s ears or lips. Most people fail to realize that body modifications can be as simple as tanning, dieting, or more drastic, plastic surgery. As society develops, body modifications such as tattooing, hair color, and stretched ears areRead Mo reRoman Cohen. Mr. Dunham. Career Ed. 25 January 2017. The1652 Words   |  7 PagesEffect of Genetic Markers Genetic markers don’t always match physical appearance. First of all, a genetic marker is a gene or short sequence of DNA. Since the beginning of time our genetics have been changing constantly due to a lot of different aspects. Some causes of change include aging. As we get older our bodies chemicals change, we produce more and less of certain chemicals, for example; insulin. The changing of chemicals affect our body not just on the outside, but on the inside. It affects theRead MoreIdeal Body Types in Hong Kong Essay1541 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Topic: What are the ideal body types for men and women in Hong Kong society? In what ways are these body types perpetuated through mass media, technology, and medicine? According to Bartky (1999), is body modification a form of self-empowerment or self-punishment? Introduction Human body is one of the elements used to assess the attractiveness of a person. Since the aesthetics theory varies in different countries and regions due to different history and cultural background, the descriptionRead MoreGenetic Markers Don t Always Match Physical Appearance1638 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic markers don’t always match physical appearance. First of all, a genetic marker is a gene or short sequence of DNA. Since the beginning of time our genetics have been changing constantly due to a lot of different aspects. Some causes of change include aging. As we get older our bodies chemicals change, we produce more and less of certain chemicals, for example; insulin. The changing of chemicals affect our body not just on the outside, but on the inside. It affects the way our genetic markersRead MoreThe Engineering of Human Genetics in Dreams and Nightmares Essay1274 Words   |  6 Pagesbreakthroughs and advancements at a rapid pace. The velocity of the incoming disc overies may allow one to overlook the powerful emphasis we as humans hold over human life itself. While human research has been developing an understanding of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) since Friedrich Miescher isolated the double-helix shaped molecule, efforts in recent decades to map the human genome have instigated a great amount of opportunity to the potential manipulation of the basic elements of life. This potential hadRead MoreEvolution of Aesthetic Medicine and its Implications on Modern Society927 Words   |  4 Pagesit. It is clear that demand for aesthetic surgery has skyrocketed in recent years, an increase caused by modern marketing tactics, technological development, as well as the modern idea of individualism and self-expression through artificial body modification. Evidently, the use of traditional embellishments such as makeup and hairstyling are not enough for certain groups in today’s society. Many men and women are willing to pay top dollar for permanent changes masked by the belief that it willRead MoreThe Practice of Body Piercing1130 Words   |  4 Pagesfunctioning part of the body or going ‘under the knife’ to alter ones genitalia? The pressure for a person to meet standards of beauty are everywhere one looks. From the dazzling models seen on billboards on the way to the supermarket, to to extensive advertising to buy a product to transform one’s body, the pressure for someone to alter their body is everywhere. By giving a brief history of body modification, giving examples of the way that individuals modify their bodies today, and explainingRead MoreBody Modifications Are An Example Of External Cues1533 Words   |  7 Pagesand/or lifestyle. Body modifications are an example of external cues that are associated with a wide range of psychological judgments, specifically tattoos and piercings. As tattoos and piercings have become increasingly commonplace, the perception of this particular type of self-expression has gradually changed from very negative to a more positive perception. Despite this, I believe that many people still mentally hold on to the association between deviance and body modifications, even though peopleRead MoreTaking a Look at Designer Babies1085 Words   |  4 Pagesscientists and researchers are slowly taking genetic engineering to a whole new level which jeopardizes the uniqueness of the human race. Genetic engineering has rapidly become hardwired into our society since its discovery in the late 1960s. The process involves removing DNA from an organism and modifying that strand of DNA in order to revise the functions or appearance of the organism (Cecil). 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