The World of Piercings

Piercings have become a popular form of expression in today’s society. Many people have some sort of piercing, whether it’s the ever-so-common ear piercings or the unique eyebrow or lip piercings. There are different reasons behind why people get piercings as well as different views about people piercings. Using a sociological perspective, we looked at the world of piercings using the sociological concepts of self-perception vs. societal perception and norms and deviance within piercings.


Why People Get Piercings


Apart from people thinking body jewelry is for adornment, what makes someone want a piercing? What reasons contribute to making a person want a somewhat permanent mark on their body? For one, piercings have the ability to strengthen a person’s own cultural roots. For example, in Gujarat, India, nose studs are worn on the right side to symbolize a healthy marriage via the Goddess Parvati. However, the left side is the most common side to be piercing simply because that is associated in Ayuvedric medicine with the female reproductive organs; the piercing is meant to lessen menstrual pain. Therefore, getting a traditional and “normal” piercing can allow someone to develop stronger bonds with their corresponding culture and heritage, as well as their health. “Abnormal” piercings are often looked down upon; this exact reasoning causes many individuals to want such a piercing to assert independence and establish a sense of empowerments. Navel piercings are especially common towards teenage girls as it often lessens other imperfections and can make a girl feel more confident about her body. More abnormal piercings (Abnormal and normal piercings are defined by the survey results) are a product of individuals making a statement about society’s mainstream values and conservative rules, usually in defiance and opposition. In addition, nipple and genital piercings are increasing in numbers essentially because of heightened sexual experience that is associated with the piercing, the primary reason behind getting such a piercing. Other body piercings (i.e. dermis) are often used to celebrate momentous occasions such as the start of a new relationship or a birthday. No matter the reason behind getting a piercing, each unique piercing contributes to a person’s individuality and own self-image.



Self Perception in the World of Piercings 

People with piercings often can establish a sense of identity just because their piercings are what make them unique from any other person. Piercings are form of expression that encompasses personality and individuality in one. For individuals with piercings, piercings support individuality and therefore should become more prominent and less of a taboo in contemporary culture. The process of getting a piercing can be seen as a modern day form of art to many of those who already have piercings. Yasmine Blackman, a self-proclaimed blogger with 12 piercings, is incredibly passionate about piercings and their meaning. Blackman feels as if “a body is like a blank canvas, and with each new addition of metal, that canvas gets filled, and in it's place is a truly stunning, unique, personal piece of artwork that will stay with that person”. Blackman herself goes as far as mentioning the history of piercings with human ancestors and how these piercings were a form of art and beauty even centuries ago. In fact, the oldest mummified body discovered with an earring dates back to 3300 BC in an Austrian glacier. Therefore, in the mindset of a pierced individual, piercings are indicative of individualism rather than something that should be hidden from sight in the workplace.

Society's Perception

Although piercings have existed all throughout history, modern society has often associated piercings negatively. In any respected profession, such as doctor, lawyer, or nurse, the thought of a professional with multiple face piercings would ever exist. On a daily basis, stereotypes about piercings emerge. For example, Bill O’Reily considers individuals with piercings as low-life’s who are violent, illiterate, unintelligent, and antisocial, and therefore could not contribute positively to society. Based on a poll done in 1997, a majority of individuals who responded considered body modification as ‘rebellious, immature, experimental, and freakish’. A minor twenty percent notated body piercings as artistic and stylish, however. Therefore, there is a social stigma on body piercings that has made facial piercings, tongue piercings and body piercings taboo and unacceptable in modern culture if a person wants to thrive and prosper. This mindset may be a result of narrow-mindedness or simply the fact that extreme piercings are still quite rarely seen in public.

Lizard man who has multiple piercings yet is breaking the stereotype that those with multiple body piercings cannot succeed because not only did he graduate high school but he w was able to gain a degree in Philosophy.

Norms and Piercings

What is considered normal as far as piercings go? You would think most people would say just the typical one piercing on each earlobe. From a survey we found slightly different results. 1/3 of 16 people surveyed said that earlobe piercings as well as ear cartilage piercings were the norms. Even more surprising was that another 1/3 of the people surveyed considered nose piercings and other body piercings normal as well. The remaining 1/3 chose just earlobes as being normal. It’s evident that other piercings, not just earlobe piercings, are becoming more popular. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, from a 2004 survey of 500 people between the ages of 18 and 50, 14% had a piercing in a location other than their earlobes. More and more piercings are becoming acceptable within society.
As far as deviance goes in the world of piercings, there are all kinds of new types of piercings that are popping up that are considered extremely “out there.” For example, there’s a new trend called the “corset piercing,” which is certainly abnormal.



In a poll from Huffington Post, 84% of people polled consider the piercing “horrendous,” not just simply abnormal. Obviously, someone with this type of piercing would be considered "deviant" because they're going against the norms within society.

Quick Poll

What do you think of corset piercing?

COOL! A bold way to stand out from the crowd.

16.4%

HORRENDOUS! This makes me shudder.

83.6%

Facial piercings like nose piercings are becoming more and more acceptable, especially because of cultural and religious beliefs. One article explores the meaning of nose piercings within Indian and Hindu culture, which is very common as mentioned earlier. Many girls of the Hindu faith get their noses pierced to honor Parvathi, the goddess of marriage. After a lawsuit, a school in North Carolina voted to allow certain facial piercings because of religious beliefs.



Nose studs may be common and more accepted in American culture these days, however larger nose piercings are considered more abnormal.



Other abnormal piercings include tongue and lip piercings, although those are becoming more common as well. General surface piercings are still pretty uncommon and considered rather strange.



Navel piercings are becoming more prevalent, especially among women. However, nipple and genital piercings are still rather uncommon, and definitely considered abnormal. Texas Tech did a study about genital piercings in males and found that most of the males in the study did not fit the general stereotypes. "These study participants with [genital piercings] were older, well-educated men, often in a stable relationship, different than what is usually thought about people with body piercings." While these men have a piercing that goes against the norms, their everyday lives did not reflect this deviance.
People express themselves in many ways and piercings are a growing form of this self expression. It has turned into an art form. People get piercing for different reasons, whether as an act of rebellion, or just a way to make themselves look unique. People with piercings view themselves in a certain way, that often contradicts the way society views them. Along with that, there are certain norms when it comes to piercings as well as piercings that are considered deviant within society. Either, the world of piercings is expanding vastly and more and more types of piercings are becoming acceptable within society.






Works Cited


Krupnick, Ellie. "Corset Piercing Trend Bizarre, Also Not New."The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 05 May 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.
Lauman, and Derick. "Tattoos and Body Piercings."American Academy of Dermatology. 2006. Web. 15 Apr. 2012.
Livermore, Rebecca. "The Significance of Nose Rings in the Indian Culture. Helium. 19 Mar. 2008. Web. 15 Apr. 2012.
Moss, Hilary. "Men With Genital Piercings Not Who You'd Think: Study."The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 24 Aug. 2010. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.
"North Carolina School Board Votes To Allow Facial Piercings After Lawsuit."The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 14 Sept. 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.
Shaller, Miah. "Body Modification in Society" September 28,2002. http://miah_schaller.tripod.com/body_modification_in_society.htm
Sprauge, Erik. "Bill O'Reilly Fears The Lizardman". July 27,2004. Austin, Texas. http://www.bmezine.com/news/lizardman/20040727.html.