Can you take Body Modification too far?

Question

I know we joke around alot here in tattoos but the question begs to be asked. Can you take body modification too far and where is that line for you? For some anything more that a single tattoo is too far .......for others a back piece or sleeves are over the top. And what about piercings...is there a limit? If tattooing is acceptable what about scarification ......branding?
And then of course you have those who take it even further....100% coverage of the body in ink.....too much? Surgical changes to the body including tongue splitting....ears pointed....foreign objects implanted under the skin? If these are fine what about self amputation, castration or even trephination? All of these things are practiced on an individual or cultural basis all over the world. Should the individual have complete control of his body or should lines be drawn?

Answer 1

I think it all depends on the individual. I do not personally agree with the while tongue splitting, voluntary amputation, ect, but to each their own.

I have a friend that got back from Iraq about 2 years ago. He had PTSD really bad, and as an escape, he went on a tattooing/piercing spree. To the point that he would get 2-3 piercings done, then go to another shop to get tatted the same day. It really scared me and my fiance, and when he got to the point that he wanted to do suspensions, we kinda had to sit down with him, and talk about what his motives were, and what he wanted to get out of doing things like this. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love piercings and tattoos just as much as the next guy, but I felt that he was doing modicications for the wrong reasons. If he actually went through the suspension, botu me and my fiance were going to be there to support him, and to be there to put our own minds at ease, but when we all talked about it, he decided that really his intentions were to inflict pain on himself as punishment.

It is cases like these that make me weary. I mean I pierce for a living, but those people that come in and want an 8 gauge conch piercing, and they have no tattoos, or other piercings, it really makes me wonder.......

I have had friends that have had inplants in their head, and tons of other places, but they were in the industry, and were able to ahow off their mosifications in a safe environment, but I also know an individual that had his nipples and aeroleas removed, and that makes me wonder.

OK, I'll stop now, this is one of my favorite discussions.....

Answer 2

I think for me, it boils down to: anything that involves permanently altering a part of the body that has a significant function is too far - so, tongue splitting, self amputation, castration and so on, are all OTT as far as I'm concerned. (Well, obviously castration doesn't really apply to me personally...) Those bits were there for a reason; and you can't put them back the way they were if you change your mind later!

I'd also say that, for me, anything permanent in the way of body modification is better placed where it can be covered over if I wanted to. So I wouldn't want to be tattooed on my hands or face. Facial piercings don't present any issue for me - I used to have several, but could (and eventually did) take them out when the time came. I have several tattoos, and I often do show them off, but I like being able not to, if I choose not to.

Likewise I would have no problem with other body modifications such as branding or scarification, so long as they can be carried out safely. They don't particularly appeal to me, but I don't object to the idea of them (which is really not so different from the idea of tattoos).

So, those are my thoughts primarily as they relate to me... as far as other people go, I do respect that people should have a choice what they do to their own bodies, but I'd draw the line at activities that are obviously going to cause major difficulties for the individual in terms of their life (so, again I'd have to say amputations and the like), or those that are reckless in terms of their health. Because if someone wants to do something to themselves in the clear knowledge that it will harm or potentially kill them, then we're moving into the territory of mental illness.

Interesting question, though... hope my answer makes some sort of sense!

Answer 3

It's really up to the individual. If that person wants to be covered in metal or inks so be it. As long as the person doing the work on the person whom wants the work done is not putting that persons life in serious danger then it's ok. It's that persons body, they can do what they want. From societies stand point people could consider just one piercing too far. It might be determined by their religion. Or a tattoo on the neck or hand. Well let's just say they won't be getting a suit and tie position and might be lucky to be able to work at McDonald's. It's is all up to the person looking at individual and their opinion of what too far really is. But if you look at it, there are many religions and cultures that support body modification. And some take it to the extreme. Some tribes scar or ink their faces, others remove a part of the woman's body, some have piercings or wear jewelery on their body. Some not only pierce but stretch the piercings. What might be too far for our societies point of view is just the way of life for others. Look at men in America who pay thousands of dollars for a breast job and to be transformed into a woman. Look at women who buy prosthetics and take hormones to be more like a man. It might not be socially acceptable, but it's legal. Beauty after all is in the eye of the beholder.

Answer 4

Some things are a bit too far in my opinion, but I often wonder if the motive behind it is an acceptable and fair reason. As far as piercings go, most can be taken out with minimal damage, so I don't see a point in limiting that. Sure I have 28 and that's a lot, but they'll go sooner or later. I plan to get many more tattoos, but I won't cover more than 60% of my skin. I wouldn't venture into branding and scarification, its just not for me so my limit is at tattoos and piercings.

I know people who have just gotten mods for the pain of it, which yes its a part of it, but you shouldn't do it as a punishment to your body. Some things, I think that its a strange cry for help, but I don't pass judgment on people who get extreme mods, I just hope they have the right reasons for doing it and are being safe about it.

I don't think it would be right to limit what people should and should not do, I think it would be right to educate everyone about these choices and educate people about making the right decision about it.

Gah! This is another thing I'm tempted to go on and on about. I'll just stop now before I stop making sense.

Answer 5

As long as the participant is mature enough to make a decision for themselves (not necessarily an age thing) and is safe about it, I think they should go for it. The maturity thing is really important to me though because a lot of these decisions are permanent/can effect many other areas of life. If you're planning to get your tongue split, have implants, visible tats/branding, etc. you have to be willing to accept the consequences--which include people alienating you. People who complain about how people treat them after they get body mods bother me because it is an obvious consequence. It doesn't make it right, but it shouldn't be a surprise either.

Whenever you get something that visible and in your face, there will always be backlash. Not being prepared for that is just not smart.

Personally, I love tats and piercings, and could see myself doing minimal implants, but that's about it for me. I've seen branding/scarification gone wrong and I don't think I could do that. Tongue splitting has to be done over and over again since the tongue heals itself so quickly and that's a turn off. Ear pointed. . .kinda hot. I'd consider it. Any kind of amputation doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun for me (I like my parts!) and that goes the same for any extreme versions of that.

Again, if it doesn't hurt anyone else, and is a decision made by a stable minded, mature adult, I'm not sure if there is a real problem. My major concern is that a lot of people go into body mods as a phase, which is fine, but don't understand the full implications of their actions.

Answer 6

I think that it's up to the individual as to how much he/she wants to do. For me, my lil tattoo is enough for me - but to others it may not be. To each his/her own though....just not the thing for me. I do feel that amputation, castration, etc. is a bit much if it's for glamourous reasons...

An example of something else done for glamourous reasons historically was foot binding in China...that is another example of a body modification. I personally feel that it's horrible and I find it a bit sickening... When a wealthy girl was little (like 4 or 6 years old) - to somewhat flaunt their wealth, their foot was bandaged in such a manner and put into the tiny shoes and then when they stepped down, all bones in their foot were broken and the healing mutilated the foot and when it grew back it basically fit to the shoe but the girl or woman could no longer walk well and often, their feet would rot because of the lack of circulation and so forth. The shoes were only maybe 3-3.5" long. I can't believe that it was done and it's sad to me that they actually did something that drastic to their bodies where they couldn't walk and their bodies were permanently deformed and they were permanently handicapped.

I feel that it's somewhat odd when there are body mods that are that drastic just because there are people born deformed that would do anything to just be "normal" and yet there's alot of normal people that are purposely handicapping themselves?

Answer 7

As an inked individual, I am all for body art, within reason. Personally, I wouldn't be inked all over, maybe just a few more meaningful pieces and that is it for me. As far as the piercings and surgical changes, well, sometimes that can totally get out of hand, but its' that persons choice of what they want to do to their own bodies.
Overall, it is your body, do what you will with it, just know the consequences and also make sure the establishment where you are having all this done is EXTREMELY clean and board certified.

Answer 8

Yes, you can take it too far. Yes an individual does have complete control over his body, but that doesn't mean it is a good ideal to mutalate yourself either. As people age their skin begins to sags, muscle mass deminishes, and people but on weight. A 50 year old man wearing a speedo on the beach is not a pretty sight either. Before someone does something severe a computer generation of what it would like now and at age 70 would be a good idea.

Answer 9

i do think surgical changes and object implantation may be a bit too far.. dont get me wrong, i'm all about heavy mods.. but some things like that are too far. im not too sure about branding or scarification either.. maybe thats just because i dont have the balls for that though..
also, on BME's homepage today, theres a link to an interview with the "indestructible man" and i think the things he does go way too far.. [if you read it, you know what i mean, but its very explicit].
but at the same time, i think every person should have the right to choose, and NOT be judged for it. i hate the closed-mindedness of so many people today.. so; some of those things are too extreme for me [but i love lots of tattoos/ piercings and whatnot].. but everyone should have the right to do so if they choose.

Answer 10

I think that the individual has the right to have complete controll over his/her body. I also think that they have the right to make an informed descision, and be protected from hacks who claim to be pros.

There is a lot out there that I would not choose for myself, but just because I don't like it doesn't mean that someone else shouldn't get it done.

Of course no one should be forced to modify his/her body with out conscent. I don't agree with piercing the ears of young children, for example.

I think that there needs to be some sort of regulation on acceptable practice (there is in some areas), but not on what modifications are allowed to be done.