What do you think of self-mutilation?

Question

No flaming, please. Be nice and even philosophical. This is not the place to be rude.

Answer 1

Well in Native American culture self mutilation is considered a mourning and that if a person died from it then that meant that they could not live in this world without the one they lost.

I think now days in modern culture i see a lot of people who do it because other people do it so they think it will make them feel better or think it it will get them attention.

On the other hand I know through experience that self mutilation just lets you feel something when you have nothing or have shut yourself off from feeling.

I

Answer 2

Self mutilation is a product of low self esteem. When an individual, because of various reasons, feels insecure, numb, depressed, without a voice, stifled emotionally, physically, self mutilation releaves many of the symptoms. It does this in various ways. First, it causes pain, this acts as a release of endorphins releaving stress. Second it creates a sense of control. Control over oneself that previously they couldn't find.

You can see this because many people do different things to control themselves. From tattoos, to bulimia, from "cutting" to exessive masturbation. All of these things serve the same functions above.

Regrettably, tattoos are permant, and anorexia and bulimia can cause very harmful damage...

Self mutilation in any form is a sign of some deep trouble. Not always as serious, but nevertheless an expression of something.

Answer 3

This is one of those Grey areas. There are degrees of self mutilation and they are or are not accepted according to the culture in which you practice. I personally view ear rings as a form of self mutilation. You will see people object to this and tell me I;m crazy because they live in a culture where that is accepted as perfectly normal. Doesn't mean it's not self mutilation. Just means in our culture it is not viewed as such.

Personally, I have not seen any need to make any alterations to my body. Nothing wrong with it if that is what you like. Just not for me.

Answer 4

if you aremeaning self mutilation as in people who are sometimes called "cutters" i think its very sad and that the person who is self mutilating and cutting must be in some terrible psychic pain and emotional turmoil. now if you are asking about the self mutilation like scarring on purpose thats done kind of like piercings and stuff I think that some of it is beautiful if its done right but that it must be mighty painful I might be tempted to have one done, I have several tats and some piercings