Body piercing is practice that initiated itself into fashion and culture thousands of years ago within ancient tribal societies that were symbols of a rite of passage and considered a badge of rank. This tradition went to the background for many western cultures related to the idea that it was associated with barbarian tribes until an era of Elizabethan time when sailors came into contact with tribes that sported ear lobe piercings. The sailors believed that this ear lobe piercing enhanced their long distance vision. Another resurgence emerged during the Victorian era when genital piercings became fashionable to impose chastity in women and prevent the male genitalia from showing in the tight trousers wore during this time. Prince Albert is the most famous when discussing this type of piercing. Genital piercing mostly died out but the ear lobe piercing continued to be fashionable up to present day (Schurman, nd).

The current practice of body piercing today can be related back to 1970 to an eccentric millionaire, Doug Malloy of Los Angeles, Ca. Malloy became interested in the culture of body piercing and practiced on himself and enlisted others, one of which is referred to as the father of British piercing, Alan Oversby (unknown, nd). With many fashion influences, the beginnings are in the west and move eastward into the population. The origin of this tradition began as tribal ritual to sustain a rank within and has migrated to an origin of social expression into present day. The etic view of body piercing among many today is that the wears are expressing a fad. A fad is referred to as short lived fashion that can come and go in a short amount of time (Frings, 2008). But, as history has proven body piercing is not a fad. There is no true functionality of modern day piercing as in past. During the 1980’s and 1990’s body piercing became an area of interest. Celebrities, sports stars and singers all began sporting a variety of piercings and quickly made its way into mainstream society (unknown, nd).

In present day many adequate body piercing with certain subcultures. Subcultures can form around any activity or interest. Each one has its own values and norms that each member shares, giving a common identity (Henslin, 2011). Society places labels on people when they choose to be expressive with their choice of dress. Many of these contemporary adolescents that have multiple body piercings are participating in a socially sanctioned form of self-mutilation, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The academy associates this type of excessive piercing with forms of self-injury, such as, head banging, burning, and cutting. Also the Journal of Adolescent Health stated that body piercing adolescents have been associated with dangerous and sometimes lethal risk-taking behavior, eating disorders, self-loathing, substance abuse, depression, and social alienation (Rubin, 2009).

Fashion is subjective and the cycle of fashion is a complicated social phenomenon. Many people use fashion to communicate an association with a particular group or lifestyle. As Frings (2008 p 72) outlined, what motivates a consumer is emotional and rational: what does that particular artifact provide for that consumer? There are six areas identified of how fashion motivates a consumer; to fill an emotional need, to be attractive, to be fashionable, to impress others, to be accepted by friends, peer groups, or colleagues, and to fill basic lifestyle needs. The art of body piercing can also be viewed as a Trickle Down theory in relation to how over history it has evolved. It started as a status and social ranking symbol and over the decades as trickled down into the subcultures of society. When excessive body piercing is present on an individual it is viewed as more of a deviant behavior associated with a lower class population The question of why do people have body piercing has changed over the centuries. In historical and present day tribal communities, piercing are representative of rank or a rite of passage. In current mainstream society body piercing are attained for personal expression. They serve no functional purpose in fashion. In Elizabethan times genital piercing for men disguised the penis in the tight trousers worn and today genital piercing are for pure pleasure. Body piercing today is a viewed as an accessory to express a particular attitude or personality trait, just as the perfect pair of shoes finishes a particular look desired.

References
Frings, G. S. (2008). Fashion from concept to consumer. Upper Saddle River, NJ.: Pearson.
Henslin, J. M. (2011). Essentials of Sociology: A down-to-earth approach. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Rubin, L. (2009, July 2). Tattoos and Body Piercing: Adolescent Self-Expression or Self-Mutilation? Retrieved April 4, 2012, from Psychology Today: www.psychologytoday.com
Schurman, A. (nd). A Brief and Rich Body Piercing History. Retrieved April 4, 2012, from Life123: www.life123.com/beauty/style/piercings/body-piercing-history.shtml unknown. (nd). Body Piercing History. Retrieved April 5, 2012, from Flux Piercing Studio: www.fluxpiercing.co.ul