Why are today's youth so much into self mutilation?

Question

Tattos, body piercing, scarification? Although I understand the desire for self expression, why can't self expression & individuality be limited to their makeup, hair style, clothing & jewelry they wear? Why must they make such drastic and permanent changes that may later be regretted? I mean really, what's up with that?

Answer 1

awesome question...

i think it's a need to rebel...but on a much grander scale than smoking a cig in the bathroom @ school like their parents once did.

Answer 2

Those things are NOT self mutilation.

You have to be the most small minded prick to not realize that tattoos are art, piercings are self expression and a show of personal taste. Scarification, while not something I am highly fond of, takes skill and dedication to complete and once it is done, often looks beautiful and it is essentially art. You should also worry less about the people who do those things and more about all the people here who plan to tear you a new one for being judgmental and unfair. As someone who loves body modification and self expression, you need to learn when your opinions are bias and unintelligent and unnecessary

As far as drastic, that may be true, but now a days, there are ways of removing tattoos, piercings can be easily taken out and the scars left from scarification can be treated with creams to minimize the scar.

Answer 3

I'm 20 yrs old and have 3 tattoos and 7 piercings. For right now anyway. Not only are tattoos addictive but they're also a way of expressing what going on in your life. The 3 tattoos that I have all mean something and symbolize a different stage in my life. I do plan to go back and get more.

Answer 4

I too notice the trends in recent years.
What i think is because tattoo,piercing and whatever u mean it,it has all become intergrated into the society as a form of self expression.
Remember that we live in a community and we[most] inculated the mentality that "majourity equates to justification"
Making matter worst is the media,rock music and emo lyrics...including their packaging,it all has something related to peircing and tattoing.
The media is power and transcend cultures....making the mass feel that its a symbol of coolness,attention and other form of expression.

Answer 5

We are mutilating our bodies we are showing and expression of ourselves through others means beside makeup and clothes. Clothes and makeup only go so far and if you get a tattoo then you have your full imagnation to use and show the world how you really feel about life, the world, family, friends anything. So don't go off and say we all will regret getting a tattoo later in life.

Answer 6

I find it funny that you don't mention plastic surgery in this little rant. "Youth" today are getting plastic surgery too. It's just as drastic and permanent as tattoos, even more so. But that's ok since at least then they are trying to fit in with the media's perception of beauty, and that will NEVER change, right???

As for self expression, how can you express yourself if you are limited by the means in which you can express yourself?

Answer 7

It's not a fact of "being cool" or getting noticed. Tattoos and piercings are a fact of expressing yourself and showing off what you love. Alot of tattoos are in memory of someone they love or a tribute to someone they care about. Look at some of our soldiers. They have tattoos that show off what they are most proud of...our country, military branch, their children, family, etc. Do you really think that they want to "be cool"? They did it to show off what they are proud of the most. And that's why alot of people get tattoos. To show off what they are most proud of and keep a loved one in the memories of others. Not everybody has to love tattoos or piercings but you don't have to judege the people that have them either. If your mother got a tattoo, would you be so disrespectful and tell your own mother that she's a nasty skank? I highly doubt it. Don't judge and critisize just because you don't understand.
Get a damn life and stop being so judgmental..it may come back and bite you in the *** later in life!

Answer 8

Well to start off with Tattoo's, im old school about it, i have both my arms sleeved and my back done.... Im 25... But i believe you get a tattoo because it means somthing to you, and you like it enough to put it on your body for the rest of your life. I dont look at Tattoo's as a Fashion Trend, even though i have been reading in a lot of mens magizines that men should get tattoos because they are FASHIONABLE!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?? WTF is up with that?!

As for Body Piercing, Although not as permanent as a tattoo, like you said its about expressing yourself with Jewelry and accesorries. I dont get off on pain or anything but it is a natural, Zesty enterprise to get pierced. you get high for a little while after the pain subsides.

I dont understand Scarification or Branding though, i dont know why you would want somthing that ugly on your body, its just not cool or pretty looking at all.. I personaly dont care for it.

as for hair and make up, I do both, im in a band and i have big hair lots of tattoos and I were make up the likes of which motley crue and Twisted Sister did in the 80's

Clothing is acutally not what you would normaly see a guy like me wereing, I Like high end Fashion such as Prada, Armani, Gucci, things of that nature so i guess clothing is the most diverse trait in our generations Individuality.

as for makeing Drastic Changes to our bodys... WHY NOT??! you only live once, go out and get a tattoo, go out and get your cartilige pierced, let someone cut your leg up, i dont know, when its all done you feel pretty unique and cool.

Answer 9

I don't feel that tattoos are mutilations.....if it is not for you than I don't recommend it you can not place judgment on others for having tat toes or body piercings.... that is their choice in the matter of having this done it is their self expression so who are you to judge you are not god and only god has that right to judge...talking with experience I have 6 tattoos my nose is pierced my eyebrow to and I have a professional job so again you are in-tittled to your opinion and you can pass it down to your kids to but don't pass your judgment's on others that is not even right

Answer 10

That is what i have been wondering for awhile, they may think it looks good (granted a tatoo here and there isn't bad) but when people go over board with it it is ugly, i don't consider myself old by any means, however i won't and never have thought of piercing everthing god gave me. I do think it is for attention, and because all the friends are doing it. My friend started piecing her nose then her lip, her belly i just told her when are you going to quit, she said it hurt but she thought it was cool, daahh. I don't understand it, and listen people she just asked a question, i don't feel as if she is judging anyone. Take a nerve pill

Answer 11

Does heavy metallic rigidity human beings to dedicate severe college shootings? Does taking section in GTA4 make you pick to thieve vehicles? i imagine the guy must be disturbed previously to be stimulated by such issues. a similar element will be suggested about horror action pictures and violent video games. i have been taking section in and gazing violent media in view that i became in my early youngsters, and that i have not idea about choosing up a knife and happening a rampage, it is your human being experience of perfect and incorrect and your knowledge of actuality that keeps you from crossing the line. The Emo seem is a shroud for impressionable youngsters to experience element of a set such as being a Goth is. sure, the outfits they placed on are foul and laughable, and that i wish they might placed their arses decrease back interior their trousers, yet hello, each and every to his or her personal. almost about self-damage, there are a spread of non-emos contained in the international who self-damage for countless causes. in my opinion, i do no longer imagine emo music drives them to shrink themselves, because i comprehend many reliable-headed persons who call themselves emos who do no longer do it. They pay interest to a similar music as those who do, and are not stimulated by it. perchance the emo image has highlighted self-harmers and presented them to our interest in that's personal unique way. Like my previous element, i imagine try to be depressive and disturbed adequate previously to be stimulated straight forward music lyrics.