Alan Nied
Dr. Kay Blue
English 091
23 March 2013
Word Count: 612
Scarred
Tattoos and piercings are both popular forms of body modification. When deciding to get either of these body modifications one must ask, which should I choose? There are many different aspects one must look at before deciding on one or the other. A few of these aspects are how much it will hurt, the reasoning behind the body modification, to the healing process. While both tattoos and piercings are forms of body modification they are different in many ways.
A piercing is a very quick process that often times takes no longer than it takes a person to snap his or her fingers. The type of piercing will determine how much pain it brings. If an individual gets a piercing in their cartilage of the ear, it will hurt more than if it were in the lobe of the ear. The location on the body also determines pain. A piercing in the ear is going to hurt a lot less than a nipple piercing.
Tattoos, on the other hand, take much longer. Since a tattoo is not just a simple poke. The size of the tattoo will determine how long the process will take. The size will also determine how long a person will have to endure the pain. Like piercings the body location of the tattoo will determine how much pain there will be since certain areas of the body are more sensitive than other parts.
There are many reasons to get a piercing. In the Greek and Roman empires many “Gods” would have multiple piercings showing their power. In today’s modern time people get them to enhance their looks for a more cosmetic purpose. Many people also get piercings in the erogenous areas of their body to enhance their sexual experiences.
One of the most common reasons in today’s society to get a tattoo is to display an individual’s religion. Most people symbolize this with a cross or a scripture of some sort. Many people also get tattoos of loved ones who have passed away to remember them and honor influences they...