Postcolonial Piercings In Modern Day America

Piercing one’s body in a creative way has become a very popular way for various types of people to express their different personalities. In the 16th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, or ECCMIB of 2006, it is stated that the young female population that is getting this done ranges from the age of 16-24. The affects that it has on society depends on the person

Throughout the world, many individuals have body piercings. Various parts of the body can be pierced, including the navel, earlobe, eyebrow, or even the septum. The many different areas of the body that can be pierced have caused major controversy. While many believe that piercings are an exquisite form of art, others believe that piercings are tacky and a form of self-mutilation. Permanently marking ones skin to insert jewelry has become a hobby that the American culture has become obsessed with. Looking into a crowd of randomly selected people, the amount of individuals who have multiple body piercings is shocking. Although piercings were originally meant to have significant meaning in other cultures, body piercings are a form of self-

Deviant acts cannot be discussed without taking into account culture, perspective, and religion. Every culture is known for their types of expressions though tattooing, piercings, and body modification. Asian gangs such as the Yakuza are known for their full body tattoos, while African tribes can be associated with wearing rings that stretch their necks. Often, these types of tattooing and body modifications are seen as a sign of beauty or a sign of respect. In the United States, tattooing, piercings, and body modifications are becoming more acceptable, in moderation.

The rising popularity of tattoos and body piercing is more than just the latest fashion craze. This type of body art has been a part of this world for thousands of years. Tattoos and piercings have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment (Smithsonian.com). In the later years (1940 – 2000) tattoos and piercings were more common among teenagers and young adults, but now, people of all ages are expressing themselves through body art. To try and understand this rise in the desire to permanently mark ones self, we must first determine the origin and history of tattoos and piercings.

Oral piercings have become more and more popular among the past couple of decades, especially with younger groups of people.1 They get these piercings because they think it will make them more popular in their social groups or because they think it looks good to get their tongue or lip pierced.2 Years ago, people got piercings because of their certain religious practices or different ethnic groups, but today oral piercings are becoming increasingly popular with the general population regardless of their cultural beliefs.3 The most common places to get piercings in the mouth are the tongue and the lips.4 Over the years, though, the tongue has become very popular.3 With piercings becoming more prevalent, research is finding that there and many complications and risk factors involved. One of the risk factors from getting an oral piercing is infective endocarditis. This is especially significant for someone who has heart disease because he is more prone to getting infections.5 Furthermore, Oral piercings are not to be considered a simple procedure that can be done by anyone, they should actually be considered a surgery that is to be done by professionals because of the complications that can arise from them.6 Some of the early complications from getting oral piercings include pain, swelling of the piercing site, bleeding, and infections.7 Following, late complications consist of localized periodontitis, irreversible gingival recession, fractured or chipped teeth, and difficulty

everywhere they go, we like piercings because it makes us feel more like ourselves. We like to

"I remember the blade. How it shone! There was a woman kneeling over me with the knife. I bit her; it was all I could do. Then three women came to hold me down. One of them sat on my chest. I bit her with all my might." These words reflect Banassiri Sylla’s account of her experience undergoing female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), at the young age of eight in the Ivory Coast. This disturbing description of her struggle makes it hard to understand why any culture could support such a practice. Yet, it is estimated that about 132 million women and girls in about thirty African countries have undergone the same, or at least similar, cultural

In many parts of the world, such as Africa, women are blamed for their bodies, especially their breasts. In regions such as Cameroon, Benin, Chad, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Zimbabwe, pubescent girls as young as 9-years-old endure a painful and brutal practice. Approximately 3.9 million girls in Africa are at risk for breast ironing. Breast ironing is the practice of pounding, massaging, or flattening the chest area. Female relatives use hot spatulas, large stones, or hammers to flatten a young girl’s chest. This is practiced because of the impacts of rape culture and the patriarchy. Mothers, sisters, or grandmothers are so desperate for their girl’s safety from rape or any sexual assault that they punish her in the most traumatizing and health

One of the most common that has authenticated from culture for decades would be expanded earlobes and facial piercings. Stretched earlobes are a tradition that has lived for centuries – particularly those of the earlobes and lower lip. It is even an essential for body modification, especially the ear for many worlds’ tribe. Metal are a form of prevention from bad spirits, demons and spirits to the tribe’s beliefs. It was also arisen amongst primitive tribes for magical purposes.

If my healthcare provider had piercings or body art, I would be skeptical at first. Although piercings are not seen as professional, if a doctor has piercings I think the piercings are acceptable. In today's time, piercings and body art are very popular among a wide range of people. Because of the increasing popularity of piercings, a doctor with piercings or tattoos would not be surprising. A person with body piercings deserves the same respect as somone without piercings. What makes a doctor is not their appearance, but their medical degree does. In today's society, people are taught and raised to express themselves. At the end of the day, a dctor graduated medical school; therefore, a medical professional should be able to express themselves

Many people are not aware of the potential side effects of oral piercings. Some of these include infection, prolonged bleeding, pain and swelling, chipped or cracked teeth, injury to the gums, interference with normal oral function, blood borne diseases, and endocarditis. These side effects occur because the mouth contains millions of bacteria, which makes it easy for infection and swelling to occur with mouth piercings. If one were to pierce their tongue, lips, cheek or uvula, it could

This mutilation is a historical and cultural practice that is deeply-rooted in the Malian culture. The practice is part of the Malian rite of passage, that marks a young girl 's transition from childhood to adult life. However ,this issue compromises and violates women 's rights.

In today’s society teenagers and young adults are getting tattoos and piercings, but are they thinking about their future. Although teens and young adults are looking to “be cool”, is it worth the consequences that it may bring as far as a career or deeper religious insights. In my opinion, getting a tattoo or body piercing is up to the person receiving them. Although the person has the final say as to what goes on their body, they should keep in mind that they should be hidden at any given time. Tattoos and body piercings should always be appropriate and also have a meaningful background as to why

Ask for studs in the lip to be placed in a neutral space along the lower gum line. This will prevent damage around the mouth area. Tongue piercing needs to be angled such that they do not catch in the palate on the roof of your mouth or the sublingual web along the bottom. Acrylic rather than metal jewellery is considered safest for the mouth region. This is because metal can easily chip teeth and cause injuries.

FGM is a practice which is rooted into the Masaai traditions and culture for decades. It is a procedure that involves partial removal of the female genital organs. It is now recognized on an international basis as a violation of the human rights of girls and women and more importantly highlights an extreme form of discrimination against women. This practice which is performed at a young age violates the individual’s security and health rights. The treatment is inhumane and often leads to torturous consequences with some often resulting in death. The WHO (2013) statistics have revealed that an estimated 100 to 140 million women, girls and children around the world have under-gone this painful procedure with disabling consequences and long term risks and another 3 million girls are at risk of mutilation each year. FGM is seen as an annual ceremony for the community who perceive it as a celebration of adolescence. Within the Maasai community 99% of women have under-gone this procedure most of which are between the age of 12- 14. The procedure is carried out with a sharp instrument known as ‘ormurunya’ after which paste and milk fat is applied to stop bleeding. Women cannot voice their opinion and those who refuse to undergo the procedure are commonly seen as having shunned their culture and therefore face a high risk of being unaccepted by the family and being isolated from the community. There are various reasons to why this procedure is practiced most