1. TATTOOS, PIERCINGS, AND
BODY MODIFICATION
By: Sophia Batistatos

2. Body modifications are when you change your appearance . Many
people get piercings and tattoos others get sex changes , implants and
other surgeries to have their appearances changed.
Every time you shave, put make up on, or squeeze into tight jeans is
an attempt to alter your appearance. Whenever you do this your
following in the footsteps of your ancestors, who had equally ingenious
ways of doing the same thing. Body modifications started when our
ancestors' from all over the world made these methods of painting and
piercing their bodies over the past 30 ,000 years . The earliest signs of
human interest in self decoration appeared when handprints, and
ornaments were found by cave paintings.
“ S H O W M E A M A N W I T H A T A T T O O A N D I ' L L S H O W Y O U A M A N
W I T H A N I N T E R E S T I N G P A S T . ”
― J A C K L O N D O N

3. In ancient Egypt, humans were grinding natural substances into eye
makeup. Many traditional cultures also use tattoos as a sort of
passport to the world after death .Several mummies have been
recovered that date to as early as 2160-1994 BC that exhibit tattoo art
forms. More recently, Nuba men in the Sudan painted their bodies as
traditional signs of changing status-from boy to adolescent to adult.
.Even monks have body modifications. Monk’s are tattooed with a
sharp rod near a Buddhist temple in Thailand. The monks usually get
prayers or animal images. Tattoos the monks get are believed to get
give them spiritual powers and enlightenment . In the late 1800’s the
Japanese women thought painting their teethe black was beautiful.
Even though these techniques were strange it was a sign of beauty ,
culture and self expression.
ANCIENT PRACTICES OF BODY
MODIFICATIONS

4.  There are many reasons people want to
change their bodies. Most people do it for
beauty purposes , as a sign of change or
rebellion. Others alter their bodies to show
higher status, to mark a moment, to be able
to wear a certain ornament, to show group
membership, or so they can show gender
distinctions.
 Many teachers, employers, and other
adults disapprove of them. Some parents
don’t agree with piercings or tattoos .Others
are more lenient, letting teens decide for
themselves.
WHY DO PEOPLE ALTER
THEIR BODIES?

5. FACTS
 About 25 percent of Americans have tattoos, according to
the American Society of Dermatological Surgery
 Tattoos are designs made by inserting ink under the skin.
 Approximately 39 million people in America have a tattoo.
 The oldest earrings found was found in a grave dated back
to 2500 BC
 72 % percent of women have piercings
 Percent of Americans who have had their earlobes pierced
83 %

6. WORDLE

7. ARTICLE
In many states, the law requires that anyone younger than 18
must have the consent of a parent or a legal guardian before
getting piercings or tattoos.
Removing a small tattoo can cost more than $1,000. Removing
a larger tattoo may cost thousands of dollars.
Getting body modification may cause risk of exposure to
infectious diseases caused by dirty, previously used instruments
and inks.
Many people go to foreign countries to get black market body
modifications like boob jobs, nose jobs and other cosmetic
sugeries for really cheap prices.

8.  I interviewed my best friend Matina for
my project. She is a sophomore in Francis
Lewis. She has her ears pierced and came
with me to get my belly pierced so I thought
she would be a good person to interview on
this topic.
INTERVIEW

9.  Questions –
1. Would you let your future children get tattoos ,piercings and other body
modifications?
2. What age do you think is appropriate ?
3. Do you think body modification is good of bad?
4. Years after people get tattoos when they get old and wrinkly do you think they
will regret it ?
 Answers –
 1. I would let my future children get body modifications but at a good age .
 2. I think that 18 is a good age because you’re legally an adult and can do
whatever you want.
 3.I think that most body modification is good unless it’s the creepy .
 4. I don’t think people will regret getting tattoos when they get older because
Its still a memory and it can remind them of being young.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

10.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/fashion/tattoos-peek-out-at-offices-but-only-at-
some.html?_r=0
 http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DA-
SORT&inPS=true&prodId=GPS&userGroupName=nysl_me_flhs&tabID=T003&searchId=R1&r
esultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPositio
n=9&contentSet=GALE%7CA270979481&&docId=GALE|A270979481&docType=GALE&role
=OVIC
 http://search.proquest.com/docview/1034979185/13DF1CBD9D37ABDE6E8/6?accountid=1
0967
FOLLOW UP

11.  "Skin Deep Keeping Their Art to Themselves." New York
Times. JOANNE KAUFMAN, 17 Apr. 13. Web. 8 May 13. –
Online Article
 America’s Worst Tattoos- Tattoo show
 The Body Art Book: A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos,
Piercings, and Other Body Modification – book
REFERENCE

12.  "Skin Deep Keeping Their Art to Themselves." New York
Times. JOANNE KAUFMAN, 17 Apr. 13. Web. 8 May 13.
 Rowh, Mark. "Making Your Mark: What You Need to Know
about Body Art, from Piercings to Tattoos." Go.galegroup.com.
N.p., 11. Web. 8 May 13.
 Nowick, Ed. "Tattoos, Piercings and Personal Expression."
Proquest.com. N.p., 2 May 2010. Web. 9 May 2013.
 Tanne, Janice H. "Body Art: Marks of Identity."
Proquest.com. N.p., 1 Jan. 2000. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.
EASY BIB