Young People and Body Art Issue 13 Home Page

Why Some People Like Body Art Hyeja Lee from Japan Hyeja explains why she likes getting her ears pierced and reflects on the reasons why people like body art. The first time I got my ears pieced was when I was 18 years old. I didn't have any special reason to do that; I just did it the same as my friends. Then I wanted to get them pierced again and again. This feeling came up repeatedly. Now I have 9 holes in my ears, and I'm still thinking about having them pierced again although my parents say that's enough. I thought of three reasons why some people tend to have body art. One reason people have body art is they want to have something that is their own thing and different from what others have. The design of tattoos varies from person to person. Usually tattoos have some meaning and express their identity or character. As I had my ears pierced more and more, I felt like that I could distinguish myself more from other people. Also, some people have body art done for a memory like a birthday or graduation from school. When you have holes pierced or tattoos done, it is unavoidable to feel pain. Some people who hesitate to have this done may be afraid of pain. In order to have beautiful art on your body, you have to endure pain. I think another reason why people have body art is to show thier fearlessness. Most people who see my earrings ask me whether it was painful to have my ears pierced. As you have more piercings or tattoos done, you have to endure much more pain. Also, you have to have them forever. They last almost permanently. You have to make up your mind to get along with them forever. The last reason is that it may be today's trend. Many have them for fashion, and so do I. My parents don't understand why they are stylish, and some people frown when they see the people who have a lot of piercings or tattoos. And this trend is heading to extremes such as burning or cutting. Some people say a natural born body is the most beautiful. It depends on each person to decide whether body art is beautiful or not. Like the view of art varies from person to person, the view of body art varies from person to person. Whenever I see a person who has body art, I think not only is it good, but also other thoughts come to my mind, "What does it mean? "Was it painful?" "Don't you regret it?" More on Body Art: Why Do Young People Like to Look Rebellious? | A Tattoo is a Beautiful Work of Art A Tattoo is Just a Picture on Your Body Return to: Young People and Body Art | Issue 13 | Home Page TOPICS Online Magazine - ©1997-2008 - Sandy and Thomas Peters - topics.mag@gmail.com