200846631

University of Leeds

SCHOOL OF SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL POLICY

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Student ID number

200846631

Degree programme

Sociology and Social Policy

Module code
Module title

SLSP1210
Formations of Modernity
Using specific examples, explore the ways in which

Essay Title
modifying and working on our bodies has become
central to modern self-identity.

Word count

1822

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200846631
The industry of body modification has consumed the modern world,
making millions every year. Body modification is the (semi-) permanent,
deliberate alteration of the human body and embraces procedures such as
tattooing and body piercing (Wohirab, Stahl and Kappeler, 2007, P.87). In
modern society the body is viewed as a project to be constantly worked
on, which is encouraged through engagement with forms of body
alteration to make the body better, such as fad diet plans to cook
yourself skinny, plastic surgery procedures, or using hundreds of different
make up brands to perfect the look. There are constant developments in
body modification, and it has become part of everyday society. This essay
is going to focus on the different ways one can modify and work on their
body, and whether this has become a fundamental element of an
individuals self-identity. This essay will cover two forms of body
modification: tattoos and piercings and gender re-assignment surgery. It
can be argued that tattoos and piercings are purely cosmetic and do not
affect an individuals sense of self, but some individuals rely on them to
be who they truly are, just as undergoing gender reassignment surgery
allows Transgender individuals to realise their self-identity. This essay will
draw upon a vast amount of research on these topics in order to
understand them thoroughly and create an in-depth discussion.

In order to understand and explore the ways in which modifying and

working on our bodies has become central to modern self-identity, it is
important to understand what the terms self-identity and modern
actually mean. Identity can be seen as our sense of who we are and who

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we perceive others to be (Rahman and Jackson, 2010, P.156). This can be
seen in terms of labels, for example; female, white and British. However,
are these the only traits that create our identity, or does it matter about
how we act, perceive ourselves or even how we feel? The term modern is
difficult to define; however in terms of sociology this is called modernity.
Modernity is the quality or condition of being modern or a modern way
of thinking, working etc; contemporariness (Oxford, 2016). Modernity is
the way society changes with the times, in terms of technology, thinking
and practices. This allows for behaviours and actions to become more
accepted within wider society, when they previously werent accepted.
Tattoos and piercings for example used to only be used in some African
tribes as symbolism, in the military and navy as a symbol of comradery,
and also in subcultures such as punk or goth. Nowadays, tattoos and
piercings are increasingly common amongst the current generations
where most people have at least one piercing or a tattoo when previously
they were heavily frowned upon, seen as deviant or associated with a
certain lifestyle. So, modern self-identity can be seen as finding a sense
of self in a world controlled by the constantly changing attitudes of
society.
People see body modification as an unnatural process that alters the body
from its natural state - Body modification practices are typically
characterized as acts in which an individual plays an agentive role in the
changes to their corporeality (Johncock, 2012, P.241). However, minor
and less drastic body modification has become normalized and is carried

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out on a daily basis within the western world accepted forms of body
modification typically include beautification processes such as laser hair
removal and skin peels (Johncock, 2012, P.242). In this regard, individuals
feel the need to work on and modify their body in order to fit societal
expectations of looking flawless and young/ fit and healthy. Conversely,
the sole point of body modification such as tattoos and piercings is to be
different from the rest of society, to stand out and to be unique tattoos,
in particular, can resemble attempts to accentuate ones sense of selfidentity (Wohirab, Stahl and Kappeler, 2007, P.88). The aim of body
modification therefore is not homogenous, and varies depending on what
the individual wants their body to look like, what best represents their
sense of self.

Societys perception of tattoos is constantly changing, the typical young

working-class male stereotype is hastily eliminated as more and more
people are entering the tattoo studio, from all genders, socio-economic
backgrounds and age groups. The tattooing trend has fast-tracked since
the 1980s, a period which has seen increasing numbers of tattooees and
piercees become heavily involved with either one or both forms of body
modification. (Sweetman, 1999, P.51). Before this, tattoos were viewed as
a form of rebellion against society and a marker of a certain subculture.
Tattoos date back to the Bronze Age, in 1991 the body of Otzi the Iceman
was found to have a form of tattoo on his body. Tattoos were then found in
the areas of Asia and Africa until it was eventually found in England with
the Viking community. Since then, it has spread to the sailor community

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as evidence of their travel, to the every day man of modern society.
Therefore, while prevalent in modern society, tattoos are far from a
modern form of body modification. The slow societal acceptance of such
body modification is shown through the use of tattoos in the works of
major designers Jean-Paul Gaultier and Marc Jacobs for example. This
constant visibility of tattoos in the fashion industry helps them to become
more normalized. It can however be argued that tattoos have become
more of a fashion item than a form of self-identity as they are now so
commonplace and dont necessarily need to have individual emotional
meaning.

While tattoos are clearly a way of expressing ones emotions, feelings and
inner thoughts, it can be detrimental to the individual if it is abused solely
for the approval of peers. Wohirab, Stahl and Kappeler (2007, P.91) argue
that subcultural membership or the wish to belong to a certain social
circle, as well as friendship and love signs have long been mentioned as
reasons to obtain body modifications. In modern society, especially in
adolescence, it becomes the focus of an individual to want to fit in with
their peers or a specific social group. If the tattoo or piercing isnt the
individuals choice, but they are forced to partake in the activity for
acceptance purposes, is it really an expression of self-identity if the tattoo
or body modification means nothing to the individual? If tattoos and
piercings are abused, they can become an addiction, and can be linked to
anorexia, bulimia, and what has been called delicate self-harm
syndrome (Pitts, 2003, P.25). It can be argued that the constant need to

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change the bodys natural state by choice can be seen as a cry for
medical help - The normal, healthy body, as a solid entity of defined
borders and contained fluids, is perceived to be harmed by non-normative
modification practices, orchestrated by a mind that requires medical
attention. (Johncock, 2012, P.243).

As argued previously, body modification can come in the form of selfbeautifying, which leads to a stronger sense of self-identity as one may
feel that they are finally showing who they really are. However, for some
individuals, body modification is the only option to have a true sense of
self-identity in modern society, such as Transsexuals. The definition of
Transsexual is a person who emotionally and psychologically feels that
they belong to the opposite sex (Oxford 2016). To these individuals, their
only option is to completely modify their natural body to feel like
themselves, the gender they identify with.

Although the western world is becoming more accepting towards the

Transgender community, many feel as though they have to have two
separate identities in order to be accepted and survive within society.
This is because, in the western world, this particular community is
challenging the dominant gender system by enacting gender in ways
that are comfortable for themselves but disturbing others [and so as a
result often end up] redefining their identities in ways that conform to the
hegemonic belief system and institutional demands. (Gagne, Tewksbury
and McGaughey, 1997, P.479). This statement is rather provocative by

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stating that being transgender can be seen as disturbing others as it is
outside of the gender norm. Many individuals choose to live as the gender
they associate themselves with, rather than the gender they are
perceived as. Rather than choosing to live as masculine women or
feminine men, transgender individuals choose to change their sex (Gagne,
Tewksbury and McGaughey, 1997). Females who identify as males, wear
tight vests or wrap bandages over their breasts in order to have a male
physique. This is known as binding, and can be a very painful process
used to flatten breasts in order to hide them. This eventually reduces
breast tissue and results in smaller breasts (Girls to men, 2015). This can
be a taxing and painful process of constantly working and modifying ones
body in order to feel who they really are.

For those who are dedicated to a full transition, Hormone Replacement

Therapy (HRT) is offered. Testosterone is given to females who identify as
male and Estrogen for males who identify as female. This allows the body
to naturally start developing as the opposite sex. For example, males who
identify as females are able to develop breasts, make their voices higher
and obtain a more female shape (My Trans Story, 2015). And for those
females who identify as males, testosterone deepens the voice,
encourages the production of body hair growth and stops menstruation
(Gooren, Giltay and Bunck, 2008). These are extreme methods of body
modification, eventually leading to gender reassignment surgery so the
individual can officially live the rest of their lives as the gender they have
always identified with.

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It is clear that both modifying and working on our bodies have become
central to modern self-identity. However, it is arguable that some forms of
body modification are simply for self-beautifying reasons to conform to
societal norms or to fit in with a specific social group. Nonetheless, some
methods of body modification are central to an individuals self-identity
and an opportunity for them to be who they truly are. In terms of tattoos,
there will always be central debates about how it affects ones mental
health or that it is a way to conforming to society. It is clear that as long as
that individual has a clear sense of identity and can relate to the tattoo
they have chosen, then it is a true way of identifying with ones-self. In
terms of being transgender, without working on their body and body
modification they are fundamentally unable to identify as their true self. In
a society which is constantly changing to become more modern in their
way of thinking, both modifying and working on our bodies has become
central to modern self-identity. Whether its through exercise or extreme
decisions of surgery, if we feel like our true selves and are ultimately
happy then that in itself is self-identity.

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Bibliography:
Egan, R.D. (2005) In the flesh: The cultural politics of body modification .
By Victoria Pitts. New York: Palgrave Macmillan press, 2003. Pp. Vi+239.
$19.95 (paper), American Journal of Sociology, 111(2), pp. 669671. doi:
10.1086/499028.

GAGNE, P., TEWKSBURY, R. and McGAUGHEY, D. (1997) COMING OUT AND

CROSSING OVER: Identity formation and proclamation in a Transgender
community, Gender & Society, 11(4), pp. 478508. doi:
10.1177/089124397011004006.

Girls to men (2015) Available at:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/girls-to-men/on-demand/59852001 (Accessed: 8 May 2016).

Gooren, L.J., Giltay, E.J. and Bunck, M.C. (2008) Long-term treatment of
Transsexuals with cross-sex hormones: Extensive personal
experience,The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 93(1), pp.
1925. doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-1809.

200846631
JOHNCOCK, W. (2012) Modifying the modifier: Body modification as social
incarnation, Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 42(3), pp. 241
259. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-5914.2012.00488.x.

My Trans story (2015) Available at:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-trans-story/on-demand/60897009 (Accessed: 8 May 2016).

My Transgender kid (2015) Available at:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-transgender-kid/on-demand
(Accessed: 8 May 2016).

Oxford (2016) Modernity, in Oxford Dictionary. Available at:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/modernity (Accessed:
29 April 2016).
Rahman, M. and Jackson, S. (2010) Gender and sexuality: Sociological
approaches. Cambridge: Polity Press.

SWEETMAN, P. (1999) Anchoring the (Postmodern) self? Body

modification, fashion and identity, Body & Society, 5(2-3), pp. 5176. doi:
10.1177/1357034x99005002004.

TattooTemple (2011) The history of Tattooing - practices from across the

globe. Available at: http://tattootemple.hk/history-of-tattooing (Accessed:
8 May 2016).

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Wohlrab, S., Stahl, J. and Kappeler, P.M. (2007) Modifying the body:
Motivations for getting tattooed and pierced, Body Image, 4(1), pp. 87
95. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2006.12.001.

Citations, Quotes and Annotations:

Egan, R.D. (2005) In the flesh: The cultural politics of body modification .
By Victoria Pitts. New York: Palgrave Macmillan press, 2003. Pp. Vi+239.
$19.95 (paper), American Journal of Sociology, 111(2), pp. 669671. doi:
10.1086/499028.
(Egan, 2005)

GAGNE, P., TEWKSBURY, R. and McGAUGHEY, D. (1997) COMING OUT AND

CROSSING OVER: Identity formation and proclamation in a Transgender
community, Gender & Society, 11(4), pp. 478508. doi:
10.1177/089124397011004006.
(GAGNE, TEWKSBURY, and McGAUGHEY, 1997)

Girls to men (2015) Available at:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/girls-to-men/on-demand/59852001 (Accessed: 8 May 2016).
(Girls to men, 2015)

Gooren, L.J., Giltay, E.J. and Bunck, M.C. (2008) Long-term treatment of
Transsexuals with cross-sex hormones: Extensive personal

11

200846631
experience,The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 93(1), pp.
1925. doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-1809.
(Gooren, Giltay, and Bunck, 2008)

JOHNCOCK, W. (2012) Modifying the modifier: Body modification as social

incarnation, Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 42(3), pp. 241
259. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-5914.2012.00488.x.
(JOHNCOCK, 2012)

My Trans story (2015) Available at:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-trans-story/on-demand/60897009 (Accessed: 8 May 2016).
(My Trans story, 2015)

My Transgender kid (2015) Available at:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-transgender-kid/on-demand
(Accessed: 8 May 2016).
(My Transgender kid, 2015)

Oxford (2016) Modernity, in Oxford Dictionary. Available at:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/modernity (Accessed:
29 April 2016).
(Oxford, 2016)

12

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Rahman, M. and Jackson, S. (2010) Gender and sexuality: Sociological
approaches. Cambridge: Polity Press.
(Rahman and Jackson, 2010)

SWEETMAN, P. (1999) Anchoring the (Postmodern) self? Body

modification, fashion and identity, Body & Society, 5(2-3), pp. 5176. doi:
10.1177/1357034x99005002004.
(SWEETMAN, 1999)

TattooTemple (2011) The history of Tattooing - practices from across the

globe. Available at: http://tattootemple.hk/history-of-tattooing (Accessed:
8 May 2016).
(TattooTemple, 2011)

Wohlrab, S., Stahl, J. and Kappeler, P.M. (2007) Modifying the body:
Motivations for getting tattooed and pierced, Body Image, 4(1), pp. 87
95. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2006.12.001.
(Wohlrab, Stahl, and Kappeler, 2007)

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