Excellent answer! Thinking like a sociologist This is the reason I asked if there was any religious or ethnic required reasons for tattoos or piercings that you may have.

You also bring up a point I did not think anyone would touch on. Consent.

Why do you feel their is a stigma? Do you think it really is routed as far back as slavery when we would brand and tattoo as ownership? This was transferred to prisoners. We did the same thing to them. Culturally and historically, tattoos had a "purpose" in American and European life and that was to segregate and identify property and or criminality. less

Mutilation occurs at the point in which there is no going back from whatever has been done.

Amputation, scarification/cutting, splitting of the tongue and things like that I consider mutilation rather than modification. Bearing all this in mind, I don't think people who voluntarily mutilate themselves are bad or sick or mentally ill. less

I do so miss my liberal arts college classes. Anthropology and sociology were my favs. Can you tell?

I think the Euro-American "purpose" of tattooing is relatively new to the real history of tattooing. They had find ancient bones with literally bone-deep tattoo marks on them. I think it started out as a form of marking for identification, rank, status, identity, and personal history. Much of that is the same now, actually. I think tattooing came around full circle.

But I do feel that our modern-day stigma of tattooing might have something to do with that short history of shame-marking. But mostly I feel it continues today only because of being in the minority. There are still more people without mods, than with. As there is power in numbers and those with the power make the social norms and expectations. We humans like to have the "other" because it gives us an identity. Without dark, there wouldn't be light. But I think times are a-changing and tattooing is starting to become almost a norm in itself.

And I have no evidence to draw on for this but I think piercing might be a little younger than tattooing. But there are definitely some ancient cultures that incorporate those too. less

I think only branding and splitting are mutulation. Most of the things you listed are, in my opinion, just body mods.

I define the difference as modifications are things done that you can change back if you choose to and mutilation can not be reversed. Plastic surgery, tatoos, and gender change is a little more difficult but could still be reversed.

I don't think any of it should be illegal as I think a person should be able to do what they want to their own bodies. less

I'm so glad We must talk more!

You are correct. It is only in recent history. Egyptians tattooed themselves thousands of years ago. I believe there was also an ice man found with a tattoo 10,000 years ago.

Modern piercing is younger, yes. It only really came about (as an art form) in the late 70's and 80's. The most recent in sub-dermal implantation and suspension. less

Very true! But, playing devil's advocate here, what is the surgery is completely voluntary and you can certainly live without it, but with it can enhance your quality of life or increase your longevity? Like gastric bypass or being separated from a conjoined twin? less

I agree that it's arbitrary because, there are some people who absolutely cannot lose weight through traditional methods and bypass is their only (and last resort) answer. Whereas, getting liposuction to remove fat without changing your eating/fitness habits, is more mutilation to me because they are repeating a cycle and it can be torturous to the body. less

I am not talking about bypass for lifesaving reasons; as I said earlier, a necessary medical procedure is not mutilation.

On the other hand, there are a GREAT MANY people who opt for GBP before exhausting all other options, that I consider mutilation. less

Very true! But, playing devil's advocate here, what is the surgery is completely voluntary and you can certainly live without it, but with it can enhance your quality of life or increase your longevity? Like gastric bypass or being separated from a conjoined twin? less

Have you seen the documentary "Modify?" I'm assuming you probably have, but if anyone here has a tolerance for seeing some of these things done, it's an excellent documentary and it is available on streaming through Netflix, but you can probably order it on DVD from Blockbuster. less

And I agree, because I didn't talk to my sister for a month when she was considering it, nor to my aunt who was advocating it. My sister has NEVER been on a diet or exercise plan in her LIFE! I thought it was drastic and extreme, especially since she's 19. JMHO. less

Absolutely it can. As a matter of fact, I think it can have to do with mind set and maturity and/or age (more maturity because age is generalized and maturity is individual).

I look at my sister's tattoos and mods and think. Why? What does it mean? And when we've discussed it, she's always just said, "because I like it." She doesn't think about what she'd like beyond the here and now. There is no "In 10 years, this will be permanent and I may regret it terribly." Like the tattoo she has on her forearm that is a portrait of her former boss (and not a friend of hers at all) that she got as a dare/inside joke. Baffles me.

Whereas, I, 11 years older than she, much more confident and secure in myself, can think about my tattoo and my future tattoos and see meaning in each and every one I want to get. It's not about "Oh, that's so bad ass/hardcore/cool." Each and every tattoo I have/have planned has significance. Do I want them to be elaborate and beautiful? Of course. Do I realize that some people may not "get it?" Absolutely. Do I realize that some people, even family members, might see it as mutilation? Sure. less

Hey guys!

I am cramming a research paper right now and need your help like last time! Please do the following survey:
link

Then please discuss what you feel the difference between body modification and mutilation is.

Where is that line?

What should be illegal and not illegal? less

While I agree it's your body, do what you want with it, I think that amputation for non-medical purpose should be illegal, and if someone does it, they need to have a psych evaluation. And I am not saying sex change operations, but something along the lines of removing a arm or leg. less