Abernathy 1

Destiny Abernathy
Mrs.DeBock
English IV Honors
14 April 2016
Refining Judgemental Stereotypes Against Tattoos and Body Piercings
Race, gender, style, hair, and personality are just few of the many reasons why society
stereotypes and desocializes individuals. Body modifications play a large part in negative
stigmatization in society. Although there is an array of modifications, tattoos and body piercings
are prime examples. The judgements of these types of partially permanent body modifications
affect people all over the world. Society should refine judgemental stereotypes and
discrimination against tattoos and body piercings.
Tattoos are method of self expression in oneself. Although they can be beautiful and
creative they can also have a negative impact on the person who obtained the modification
because they can cause negative characterization. The article What are the Stereotypes of
Tattoos? explains that a few of the many reasons for discrimination associated with these body
modifications involve criminality, ignorance, impecuniosity, and promiscuousness. Yet, these
stereotypes are not always true. The earliest evidence of tattoos has been dated back to 10,000
years ago. Humans have marked their bodies with tattoos and these permanent designs
sometimes plain, sometimes elaborate, always personalhave served as amulets, status symbols,
declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment
(Lineberry) which antedates thousands of years ago. Many women had tattoos on their bodies
and limbs. The evidence of these tattoos are shown when Lineberry analyzes on the figurines
from c. 4000-3500 B.C. to occasional female figures represented in tomb scenes c. 1200 B.C.

Abernathy 2
and in figurine form c. 1300 B.C. The women all had tattoos on their thighs. Also, the
Smithsonian talks about the Iceman from the area of the Italian-Austrian border in 1991. He had
tattoo patterns and the date was pushed back another thousand years when he was carbon-dated
near 5,200 years old. One of the specialists who examined the Iceman recognized a variety of
tattooed dots with small crosses planted on his lower spine, right knee, and ankle. It is suggested
that these tattoos may have been applied to allay joint pain because they were seen as
therapeutic. This goes to show that not all body modifications validate the negative
stigmatization toward them. Materialistic objects can be supplanted ,necklace[s] may break , the
fau tree may burst, but... tattooing is indestructible. It is an everlasting gem that [a person] will
take into [their] grave(Skin Stories:The Art and Culture of Polynesian Tattoo) and keep for
life. Ancient Egyptians, Polynesians, Samoans, Pacific Islanders, and more have traditionally
utilized tattoos in unique ways that are different than the stereotypes that they have been
identified as in today's general public.
Tattoos are not the only body alteration that stands against the adverse connotations from
society. Body piercings have been acquired for many reasons such as rites of passage, aesthetic
reasons, religious reasons, and to show self expression, (The History of Body Modification
Around the World) and they have been around for thousands of years, also. There is a long
history behind each different type of piercing in the world. Nose, tongue, ear, and lip piercings
are just a few of examples of piercings with ancient significance. Approximately 4000 years ago
nose piercings were first recorded in the Middle East, and are mentioned in the Bible in Genesis
24:22 (The History of Body Modification Around the World). The article The History of
Body Modification Around the World explains that during the 16th century nose piercings were
brought back to India, and around the 1960s hippies who had traveled to India brought the trend

Abernathy 3
back to the states. Also, tongue piercings originated with the ancient Aztecs in the form of a
ritual, lip piercings were also popular among the ancient Aztecs, and ear piercings are thought
to have originated for magical purposes (The History of Body Modification Around the
World). In the article How Body Piercings Evolved it explains how many Bollywood and
Hollywood celebrities have body piercings. These piercings generally range from navel to
tongue. The history of these body piercings confutes society's portrayal of people who acquire
the modifications.
Today, tattoos and piercings are prevalent and practiced for a variety of reasons since
becoming popular. There are diverse motivations for why people get tattoos and piercings
(Thomas & Christensen 2014,) which were shown by research. Thomas et al. (2014) explains
that these motivations, with rare exception, have personal significance to people who choose
to obtain modifications, and are thus empowering from a social work perspective. Wohlrab et al.
disclosed ten general motivations in society for receiving tattoos and piercings; beauty,art, and
fashion; individuality; personal narrative; physical endurance; group affiliation and commitment;
resistance; spirituality and cultural tradition; addiction; sexual motivation; and

no specific

reason at all. Recent studies on the motivation for these modifications endure consistency with
former research. Today, body piercings and tattoos are generally, legally done by professionals
that use tattoo machines, and piercing machines and needles. Different piercings and tattoos are
sensitive depending on the placement of them. After a piercing or tattoo the professional will
explain instructions for the healing of these body modifications.
Many people are reconsidering others with body modifications. As time goes by, tattoos
and piercings are becoming more accepted in society. Yet, the stereotypes continue to be passed
along amongst generations. There are some ways that the negative stigmatizations of body

Abernathy 4
piercings and tattoos can be reduced. Gaining trust, cutting the attitude, smiling, and random acts
of kindness are just a few of the ways modified people can break the stereotype (Hudson) of
piercings and tattoos. From an early age people are taught that trust is something that must be
earned (Hudson) while losing trust is easier than gaining it. Hudson analyzes on how gang
members and criminals who happen to be tattooed and pierced have caused the general
population to lose much of its trust for illustrated people. Humans are generally wary of
anything that is different from what they are accustomed to (Hudson) and tend to judge
anything that seems abnormal. It is common for people with body modifications to think that a
shallow person who sits in judgement of others should change their perceptions, but it is up to
the modified to engender change.
Society should refine judgemental stereotypes and discrimination against tattoos and
body piercings. Overall, the general public should predominantly refine all body modifications.
Humans tend to only tolerate the qualities of others that they enjoy, although it may have nothing
to do with the person themself. Tattoos and body piercings are sometimes deemed as negative art
and associated with unfavorable insinuations. Body modifications have an expansive impact on
humankind and should not be stereotyped nor damaged by oppression.

Works Cited
"The History of Body Modification Around the World." The History of Body Modification
Around the World. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.

Abernathy 5
Hudson, Karen L. "Tattooed & Pierced- Breaking the Stereotype." About.com Style. N.p., n.d.
Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
Lineberry, Cate. "Tattoos." Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian, 1 Jan. 2007. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.
"Skin Stories:The Art and Culture of Polynesian Tattoo." PBS, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
Thomas, Jeremy, and Candace Christensen. "You Need to Cover Your Tattoos!" Reconsidering
Standards of Professional Appearance in Social Work. Social Work. By D.J.
Williams.

Issue 4 ed. Vol. 59. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 373-75. 3p. HCS Smart Search. Oct.

2014. Web. 13

Apr. 2016.

"What Are the Stereotypes of Tattoos?" Tattoos In Society. N.p., 03 June 2013. Web. 07 Apr
. 2016.
Wohlrab, S., Stahl, J., & Kappeler, P. M. (2007). Modifying the body: Motivations for getting
tattooed and pierced. Body Image, 4, 87 95.