Body Modification--or Mutilation?
Friday, September 5, 2008
For some young adults, a tattoo just isn't enough.
Ever wonder what you would do if your kid came back from college with a tattoo or piercing? No biggie, right? Okay, now how about tongue splitting? Or elf ears? This isn't science fiction, it's body modification--an extreme mode of self-expression that's gaining popularity with teens and beyond. The scary truth is, if your kid is 18 years old, he or she can legally indulge in a myriad of procedures ranging from microdermal (studs or spikes implanted directly into the skin gives the effect that the jewelry is screwed right into the body) to ear shaping and stretching. The good news is that you can become educated on how and why kids feel the need to drastically alter their appearance.
Russ Foxx, a premier body modification artist in Vancouver, Canada, has been no stranger to the art of "bod mod" for the last eight years. He got his first ear piercing at the tender age of 5 with the blessing of his mom. From then on he was hooked; by the time he entered high school, he had 15 piercings--and then he says he "stretched them--practiced it on myself and took it to scarification and more advanced modification."
Technically, body modification is truly old school. People around the world have been piercing, tattooing and painting their bodies for ages. Even back in Egyptian times, royalty pierced their navels. Just like Britney Spears.
Fast forward to the present: Now all anyone needs to do is stroll into a body modification studio. All you have to be is 18 with proper I.D. Typically, says Foxx, his customers range from 24 to 35.
According to Russ, being 18 does not make a procedure a done deal. "More often than not, I won't do a procedure if I think they're making a bad choice--if they'll have regret in the future." To ensure he'll have a satisfied customer, Foxx sends them on their way. "I tell them to come back in a year. After they've done extensive research, if they still want to do the procedure by then, then I'll do it." Although Russ is cautious about whom he'll do his work on, he was once chewed out by the angry parent of a 18-year-old who got his eyebrow pierced. "I think the guy just wanted to blame someone, but his son had made his decision."
Most of Russ' menu of procedures aren't choices anyone should take lightly--especially the ear shaping. "It should be considered irreversible, warns Foxx. "It would take plastic surgery and your ear would never be the same."
One of Russ' young customers who just had the elf ear procedure... PAGE 2
Russ Foxx, a premier body modification artist in Vancouver, Canada, has been no stranger to the art of "bod mod" for the last eight years. He got his first ear piercing at the tender age of 5 with the blessing of his mom. From then on he was hooked; by the time he entered high school, he had 15 piercings--and then he says he "stretched them--practiced it on myself and took it to scarification and more advanced modification."
Technically, body modification is truly old school. People around the world have been piercing, tattooing and painting their bodies for ages. Even back in Egyptian times, royalty pierced their navels. Just like Britney Spears.
Fast forward to the present: Now all anyone needs to do is stroll into a body modification studio. All you have to be is 18 with proper I.D. Typically, says Foxx, his customers range from 24 to 35.
According to Russ, being 18 does not make a procedure a done deal. "More often than not, I won't do a procedure if I think they're making a bad choice--if they'll have regret in the future." To ensure he'll have a satisfied customer, Foxx sends them on their way. "I tell them to come back in a year. After they've done extensive research, if they still want to do the procedure by then, then I'll do it." Although Russ is cautious about whom he'll do his work on, he was once chewed out by the angry parent of a 18-year-old who got his eyebrow pierced. "I think the guy just wanted to blame someone, but his son had made his decision."
Most of Russ' menu of procedures aren't choices anyone should take lightly--especially the ear shaping. "It should be considered irreversible, warns Foxx. "It would take plastic surgery and your ear would never be the same."
One of Russ' young customers who just had the elf ear procedure... PAGE 2
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Email11 comments so far | Post a comment now >>
These kids are really STUPID.
- Anonymous
don’t even get me started on the bad crap that starts because of this. body modification can be a beautiful thing, but it gets such a bad rap since most of it isn’t your “traditional” piercings such as your lobes.
- a.
Body Mod is beautiful. I got a eternal teardrop piercing when my brother died, and a septum to commemorate ten years off the blow. Both of them are out now, but they were awesome, and I hope my daughter can find ways to meaningfully express herself when she’s old enough (be it ballet, body mod, or business school). And to the lady that said “these kids are stupid” I went from being huge into subculture to graduating top five from a great school and now I work a job at 75k. What do you do?
- Anonymous
What do I do?…I don’t do blow, I don’t mutilate my body, and I don’t define my self worth in dollars!
- Anonymous
Did they ever think about what they’re going to look like at 80?
- Anonymous
Yes, and I’m sure you’re absolutely perfect. Let me guess, crazy Christian? I feel bad for your kids.
- Anonymous
Nevermind 80 how about when they go to get a substantial job. One where they expect a person to look professional. Can you just see the reaction to a split tongue or elf ears??? I mean come on.. these kids think for the moment but not the long term. And the thought that they will only work in jobs where it is accepted.. that may be true of their youth. But I guarantee many will be looking for a more professional position in the future.. and it WILL effect whether they are hired or not. Also what are the long term effects of splitting their tongue?? I know someone who pierced her eyebrow and now has facial nerve damage.. cold days really hurt her face.. such a terrifically smart move on her part..
- Maureen
Now, the world don’t move to the beat of just one drum, What might be right for you, may not be right for some. A man is born, he’s a man of means. Then along come two, they got nothing but their jeans. But they got, Diff’rent Strokes. It takes, Diff’rent Strokes. It takes, Diff’rent Strokes to move the world. Everybody’s got a special kind of story Everybody finds a way to shine, It don’t matter that you got not alot So what, They’ll have theirs, and you’ll have yours, and I’ll have mine. And together we’ll be fine…. Because it takes, Diff’rent Strokes to move the world. Yes it does. It takes, Diff’rent Strokes to move the world.
- Anonymous
There is nothing wrong with body modification, if that’s the way people want to represent themselves so be it. To each his own…
- Anonymous
Remember “Our bodies are not our own.” How dare we destory what God has given us to take care of? Everything God made was perfect and good. So why do we feel we need to alter that which is perfect? Personally this looks ugly and nasty to me! Do you think about long term affects?
- Anonymous
I am a follower of the lord jesus christ, And I have altered my body. And I feel that it has helped me to share my faith with others like me, that others maybe could’nt have. I don’t see body mods as bad, but some can border on folly. It’s a personal conviction.
- jeremiah
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