Body Modification Research Papers

The biggest overarching theme I noticed among all of the different texts was the connection of body modification to passing. The method, cultural context, and reasons all varied; however, body modification in all cases was used in order to fit a certain set of standards. I originally used to think of passing in a different way, I mostly associated the term with the transgender community and biracial people (as in white-passing); however, I now realize that the term passing can mean different things depending on on the context. Passing does not have to mean blending in with the white, cisgender, heterosexual majority. Passing can also mean blending in to the community that you are apart of. In “Enhancement Technologies and the Body” by Linda …show more content…
In many cases, people undergo body modification to fit the white-eurocentric majority. However, the women described within the text purposely underwent extensive tattooing in order to stand out from the majority. Although they still fit in within the context of the “circus freakshow” folk group, they purposely covered the bodies in numerous tattoos in order to stand out as a means to make money. During the era the text describes, tattoos were common for sailors but were not acceptable for women. Tattoos are incredibly common nowadays, and a person would be hard-pressed to find more people who have not been tattooed than have; however, at the time tattoos on women were scandalous enough to warrant giving them a space in traveling circuses. It is likely that some women started out with a genuine appreciation for tattoos, but many seized the opportunity to be extensively tattooed for stable income. The tattooed women would simply dress provocatively in order to showcase their tattoos, little else was required for their acts. In contrast, tattooed men were required to have extra skills in order to make money. Although the tattoos were titillating enough on their own, the provocative dress also pushed other expectations for women at the time. Because these women did not pass as wholesome housewives, they were able to provide for themselves using this factor to their advantage. Surprisingly, the text discusses how tattoos were trendy among the wealthy elite and middle class women during the early 1920’s. Tattoos became a status symbol, and these women in sideshows were somewhat respected for their body art. However, as the Great Depression rolled around a major shift occurred in the public view of tattoos. In the text, Mifflin notes how “hordes of people had gone under the needle in hopes of finding work as sideshow exhibits, driving the medium deep into the shadows of