Body modification is part of the trend that currently dominates the modern culture. It is easy to come across young people and even adults who have tattooed or even pierced their bodies today and it all looks like a regular custom that everyone is ready to embrace. However, not much attention has been given to whether non-therapeutic body modification and mutilation is a good thing. Not all body modifications or mutilations are ethical, but this only means that there are cases that are indeed unethical. People resort to these acts out of different reasons, hence making it a challenge to justify the decisions that these various individuals make. As Schramme (15) concluded, when an individual voluntarily modifies or mutilates their body, then they do not violate their self-regarding duties hence this cannot be considered as any form of self-harm that demands justifications. Despite the idea that body modifications, as well as mutilations, should be permitted, it is essential that people be cautious when seeking to alter their body in a manner that is pleasing to them. This paper seeks to discuss to support Schramme’s arguments and offer more reasons why people need to be cautious about extreme body modifications.
Body piercing is a type of modification and is currently very popular among the younger generation. Body piercing refers to the practice where an individual punctures or cuts a part of their body to create an opening in which the person can wear a piece of jewelry. The history of body piercing is obscure, and this is because it is a practice that has always been there through history and practiced by various cultures across the globe. The common forms of piercing have often been an ear or nose piercing, and these are evident in numerous historical records such as Egyptian records where the remain of the oldest mummy was found with earrings pointing to the fact that the existence of the practice dates back to more than 5000 years ago. However, today there are piercings that the society finds unconventional. Such forms of piercing include tongue piercing, nipple, naval and genital. It is such types of body modifications that trigger the perspective from the general population that the individuals break the self-regarding rule.
Knock and Prinstein (140) describe self-mutilative behaviors as the direct and deliberate destructions that individuals perform on their body tissue without the intent of being suicidal. The first thing that this statement establishes is pointing to the idea that Schramme was right in defending body modifications such as piercings. Body piercing of any form usually is deliberate, and people conform to the practice out of their personal desires without coercion. It thus highlights that body piercing is not a destructive behavior as many people often consider. Everyone has the right to do whatever they want with their body, as long as it does not affect the lives of others. When an individual resorts to the idea of piercing whatever part of their body they wish, it is never with the intent of putting others in danger or jeopardizing the safety of other individuals. People who prefer to pierce their bodies often approach the idea as a form of body art (O'Malley 14). This shows that body piercing is equal to any other form of art only approached from a different perspective. Some individuals would prefer to braid their hair while others would find pleasure in expressing themselves through body modifications. In the end, it all boils down to preference. Therefore, since body piercing is nothing but a form of mainstream expression and does not affect other people, then it should be permitted.
Body piercing can sometimes represent more than just expression of individuality. In a study to understand behavioral functions of self-mutilative behaviors among teenagers, Knock and Prinstein (144) found out that a significant number of adolescents indulged in the practice as a way of associating with specific social behaviors. In the Western countries, belonging to a particular group of individuals who do not conform to the standard definitions offered by the cultures instantly qualifies one to be a deviant. It is because of this reason that the society often considers people with body piercings either as maniacs or rebels. However, this cannot be uprightly true since rebellious behaviors among adolescents are also evident in people who do not have body piercings. In most cases, many adolescents pierce their bodies as a way of illustrating their relations or adoration to a particular lifestyle, and it does not mean that they are against the standard constructs of the community. Plastargias and Sakellari (1) also mentioned that one of the contributing factors of body piercings is the expression of independence Expression of independence is a common trait among youths justifying that they have the right and capacity to alter their behaviors and looks in a manner that they find comfortable. Though this closely associates with the state of rebellion, it does not negatively affect the society hence it should be allowed
Nevertheless, it is essential that people practicing the act of piercing their bodies understand the necessary safety measures so that they do not end up harming their wellbeing. One of the reasons to be cautious about extreme body modifications is the severity of complications associated with body piercings especially on organs like the tongue. Manning (7) pointed out that the initial piercing can cause bleeding, damage the nerves on the tongue which are normally highly vascular, and open a wound for infection. Knock, and Prinstein (143) stated that many adolescents who go for self-mutilation never get the piercing done by a healthcare professional, and this can put them at high risk of putting themselves in unnecessary and unplanned for pain. It is thus essential that before one takes such risks, they should medical assistance or even if better, a professional healthcare practitioner should perform the procedure. This will prevent the mentioned problems often associated with extreme body piercings.
The other reason why people need to be cautious about extreme body modification associates with systematic infections. Microorganisms that get into the blood systematic blood circulations are the leading cause of systematic infections, and these can prove to be harmful to an individual are immunocompromised (Plastargias and Sakellari 3). The microorganisms cause severe and irreversible life complications to an individual by causing diseases and conditions such as cerebral brain abscesses, rheumatic heart disease and even mitral valve prolapse (Plastargias and Sakellari 3). Such microorganism can get into the body through the fresh and unattended to wounds from the piercing. In some circumstances, it is the metals used in piercings or even the rings that might transfer these microorganisms to the individual. O'Malley (15) added that infection could arise either from the piercing or sometimes from the poor aftercare, and these can easily spread into the veins of a person finding their way to an individual's brain resulting in stroke, severe bleeding, asphyxiation, and meningitis among other associated brain complications. Some of these bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (O’Malley 15). The main problem is that most of the people and environment where this form of body modification happens are never professional. Sometimes they might fail to sterilize their tools, and based on the fact that the persons performing the piercing never follow a clinically proven procedure, there is a chance that they might even infect others with any form of HIV. It is thus essential to be very cautious before considering any form of body piercing.
In conclusion, body piercing is a form of body modification that allows an individual to puncture or cut a part of their body so that they can wear jewelry. This is a common trend in the contemporary society, and it has been triggering speculation as to whether it should be permitted or the safety measures associated with the practice. Different people pierce their body for various reasons and at no point do they ever associate with the act so that they can cause harm to other people. As the paper has already established, many people do it for the sake of identity, and thus there is no sense in banning the activity of body piercing. However, this also does not mean that people should be careless wit because there are dangers associated with body piercing, which can be detrimental to a person's wellbeing. Therefore, body piercing should remain legal but the parties participating in the activity should be extremely cautious.
Works Cited
Manning, Mary R. "Oral And Peri-Oral Piercings And Dental Health". Dental Assistant, 2017, pp. 7-8. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.denabs.2016.05.026.
Nock, Matthew K., and Mitchell J. Prinstein. "Contextual Features And Behavioral Functions Of Self-Mutilation Among Adolescents.". Journal Of Abnormal Psychology, vol 114, no. 1, 2005, pp. 140-146. American Psychological Association (APA), doi:10.1037/0021-843x.114.1.140.
O’Malley, Patricia Anne. "Tattoos And Piercings: Reasons, Risks, And Reporting". Clinical Nurse Specialist, vol 27, no. 1, 2013, pp. 14-16. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), doi:10.1097/nur.0b013e31827c28a5.
Plastargias, Ioannis, and Dimitra Sakellari. "The Consequences Of Tongue Piercing On Oral And Periodontal Tissues". ISRN Dentistry, vol 2014, 2014, pp. 1-6. Hindawi Limited, doi:10.1155/2014/876510.
Schramme, Thomas. "Should We Prevent Non-Therapeutic Mutilation And Extreme Body Modification?". Bioethics, vol 22, no. 1, 2007, pp. 8-15. Wiley-Blackwell, doi:10.1111/j.1467-8519.2007.00566.x.
