Why do people concern themselves so much with what others do to their OWN bodies??

Question

Be it tattooes, breast implants, wild hair, piercings, etc. etc. What gives anyone the right to judge based solely on appearance? Prejudice based on looks alone is UGLY.
Isn't that what's really wrong with society? Isn't it better to judge based on action?

I think I basically know the answer to this, I'm just curious what yours may be.

Edit: Ummmm Gary, I won't go out with you because I'm married. Chip on the old shoulder, eh?

Thanks Lioness, I hear your roar!

Answer 1

personal option justified with religion, social norms, economics, social class... etc.,...

whatever is uncomfortable is wrong. thus when one person does/says/etc.,... something that contradicts what is 'right', they are wrong and need to be "reconditioned", punished or killed.

No, I'm not talking about pedophilia or murder or fraud or sweatshop labor or genocide or other universally 'wrong' concepts - you know the important issues.

I'm talking about musical tastes, fashion sense, political opinion, favorite color, automotive preference, religion (only a small mind hides behind scripture) - you know, the superfluous crap that does matter, yet is focused on in lew of the important issues.

Answer 2

The easy answer is that prejudice is a stupid trait of stupid people. To an extent, however, we are all guilty of this. I'll be the first to admit that my behavior is in some way affected by the appearance of the people that I interact with. It's a sometimes unfortunate behavior to have, but is sometimes unavoidable.

That may not be where you're going, I realize. I believe that as long as people aren't doing anything physically violent or psychologically denigrating to other people, then they should be able to do what they want. If you want a tattoo, implant, or blue hair, in most cases that's fine (unless you're tattooing something hateful to other people).

To caveat this, I will wonder why some people go to certain extents to change their appearance. Look at Micheal Jackson. That's perhaps a bad example because people often judge him for different reasons. But when I see how people go to such extents, I feel sorry for them.

A face-lift here, tummy tucks there, however... no big deal, I guess...

Answer 3

If someone does something stupid, I will judge them as stupid. The fact that they did it to themselves doesn't make it any more stupid.

I agree that people shouldn't judge each other based on their natural looks, like having an ugly face. (Although of course I still do. I can't help it.) But tattoos, implants, haircuts, and piercings aren't natural. People took actions to get those things, and it is the actions that people judge.

There are plenty of things wrong with society. This is pretty far down on the list.

Answer 4

Indeed. I totally agree.

Yet there is something fundamentally different about inexpensive modifications like tattoos and piercings and actual *plastic surgery*, which usually costs thousands of dollars. I just can't help but think how much more some poor family with five kids could use the money that instead went to a ridiculously overpaid and probably slimy and sexist plastic surgeon. When you're getting body 'modifications' that cost more than some people earn in a year and that have serious risks of life-threatening side effects (like bleeding internally), there are other things going on besides "I just want to express myself." Also, a person has to separate how much of the expression is what they *learned* to "like" because society likes and applauds it (a straighter nose, bigger boobs) or that *they themselves truly like* (a tattoo that is a symbol of something significant). And often it's hard to separate one's true self from his/her conscious or unconscious outside influences.

But I don't include sex-change operations in plastic surgery.

Answer 5

You has to distinguish between prejudice and discrimination. It is against the law to discriminate by action but it is OK to prejudice without the action part. After all we are living in a free society, if you have the right to pierce your nose, color your hair or tattoed your body, we have the right to comment on it, if I think your pierce nose is ugly, I have the right to say so...freedom of speech you know...

Answer 6

When I'm ordering food from someone who has a nose ring with nose droppings visible, I want to say, "excuse me, but will that drop in my food before you can clean it off?" I turn and walk away. I'm all for everyone drumming to a different drummer, but some seem to want to shock people instead of being different. What's wrong with who you are? Why try to alter, color or place holes on yourself? It's like you're screaming "LOOK AT ME" , Who really cares? I work in the health care industry, and I'm sorry, If someone comes in for a job looking like their body has been through a permanent Halloween party, they won't get the job. It is, what it is. We shouldn't judge but it's human nature. Prejudice is ugly, but so is mutilating your body.

Answer 7

I think most people do not care about the plastic surgery for people to improve their looks.. I believe the prejudice comes from the extreme body modification. Most people are frightened or afraid when faced with things they do not consider "normal."

In my life span I've seen allot of prejudice attitudes change for the better, But there always seems to be a "hot button" for our society to focus on. I think it will always be something.

Answer 8

Prejudice based on someone's natural looks alone is ugly! But if you have excessive tattoos and piercings you must be unfit for most jobs. You wont even get hired as librarian. And if people dont trust you with outdated magazines, that tells you something!

Answer 9

Generally,people like to make themselves better than everyone else.So they're important.This is a normal,but narcissistic attitude that is usually offset by common sense and humility gained through experience.Unfortunately a lot of people dont learn and thrust this way of thinking into a sick and twisted power over people,to change the world around them.They realize they have no control over others but instead of using the humility of understanding,they narrow there view into attacks of character etc.,Never looking into the mirror and never realizing anything from experience or difference in people. its easier to condemn,then to accept and/or understand

Answer 10

You are correct to not judge someone on their appearance, but.........when someone alters their appearance for the shock value they get, they shouldn't be offended when people react.
I often wonder why anyone would pierce body parts that must be painful or inconvenient. LIke, what happens if you sneeze with a nose ring or your tongue piercing makes it difficult to eat and talk?