Body Piercings: A Form of Self-Expression?

Have you ever wanted to get a body piercing? Whether it is on your tongue, your navel, your ears or your sternum, have you ever had that sudden desire to pierce your body? Well, you are not the only one with this feeling.

A widespread phenomenon today, body art—or body piercing, in particular—is a “popular form of self-expression,” says Scott Bryan, a spokesperson for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, this practice existed even in ancient times, which is evident from the numerous piercings and tattoos found on a 5,300-year-old mummy named Ötzi.

Body piercings are becoming more prevalent, but there are still restrictions regarding who is permitted to get them. Some countries (e.g., Scotland and some states in the United States) require underaged people to obtain parental consent in order to be qualified to pierce their bodies. Another region that places restrictions on the practice of body piercing is Western Austria, which prohibits the piercing of private body parts such as the genitals and nipples. Additionally, certain states in the U.S. require the physical presence of a parent or guardian.

So why do people pierce their bodies? Individuals’ answers to this question vary greatly. On a recent survey conducted by Clinical Nursing Research, 62% of people with piercings claimed that they got them in an effort to “express their individuality,” whereas others state that their piercings serve the purpose of commemorating the deceased or a significant event. Many Southeast Asian countries have piecing rituals. For example, at the Singaporean Thaipusam festival, participants pierce their cheeks in “the honor of the Hindu god Shiva’s youngest son, Lord Murugan.”

Several members of the AISG community were asked about their thoughts on piercings. The interviewees’ answers varied from wanting to “feel pretty” to keeping up with the “trend” to “annoying their parents” to seeking the feeling of “freedom.” Boon Yang K., a senior, stated that although he wouldn’t do “anything that is irreversible such as tattoos and piercings,” he “doesn’t care” if other people do it. He further elaborated that “even if someone does get piercings, I wouldn’t change my opinions toward that person.” Winnie Choi, a senior with seven piercings, said that as long as the body piercings “do not interfere with our everyday lives,” she harbors no negative feelings towards them. Jee Su Kim, another senior, expressed similar thoughts, commenting that even though she wholeheartedly agrees that body piercing is just a form of self-expression and she respects everyone’s decisions, she personally doesn’t understand the purpose of piercing the “tongue, lips,” and getting “any piercings on our private parts.”

An anonymous student commented that he “finds multiple piercings uncomfortable because it is uncommon,” and jokingly asks, “Doesn’t it hurt?” referring to people who get numerous piercings on their bodies. Similarly, another anonymous student stated that it makes her “feel sick” when she sees that her friends or family members “have ears full of holes,” as she believes it is “disrespectful” toward the elders to have so many piercings. She believes that our bodies are “precious” and therefore we should not “intentionally create extra holes just for the heck of it.”

What are your thoughts on piercings? Comment below!!