A Reflection on Body Mod Stigmas

Throughout history, people have modified their bodies. Whether for cultural, religious, political, or personal reasons, people have always changed things about their physical appearance. We decorate ourselves, using our bodies as vessels for self-expression. Yet to this day, stigmas and judgements surrounding this incredibly human characteristic remain. 

Image Courtesy: Instagram

I was reminded of this during this past winter when I was having my second tattoo done. As my artist worked, I talked to my tattoo artist about potential tattoos I’d like to get in the future. I mentioned to him that I’d always liked the idea of having a tattoo on my hand, but he just shook his head. Probably not a good idea, he told me, especially if I wanted to get a decent job.

I’d heard these words before. Other people warned me about the dangers of getting a tattoo somewhere that a prospective boss might see. And to some extent, I understand this warning; in professional and formal settings, people are expected to appear professional and formal. But really, what’s so informal about tattoos? Or for that matter, piercings or dyed hair? Do these things really signify that a person isn’t competent, that they can’t do a job as well as anyone else can? Or do they signal that a person is lazy and can’t take themselves seriously? I don’t think so. In my opinion, as long as someone is dressed professionally, shows up on time, and is well-equipped for the job they want, what difference does it make if they have some sort of body modification?

Times have changed, but some workplaces still maintain strict dress codes that don’t allow tattoos or piercings of any kind. And of course there are still plenty of organizations and individuals out there who frown upon body modifications as well. But why? I feel a large part of the reason these stigmas began (and have remained) is because things like tattoos, piercings, or dyed hair go against the status quo. While they’re more common today, these sorts of body modifications contrast people against the conventional and expected appearance. When you look different from what is considered “the norm”, you are often judged not just on your appearance, but on your character. 

Image Courtesy: Instagram

I remember my mother dealing with this when she worked at my elementary school, around the time I was in the third or fourth grade. It was a Catholic school, and they had asked her to hide the parts of her hair that were dyed bright pink. I had never understood that. Sure, her boss probably didn’t actually care - she was just enforcing some guideline that she didn’t even create - but why did it exist in the first place? What would my mother’s pink hair communicate to the parents of the kids at school, or to her coworkers for that matter? She did a good job and kept the kids safe, shouldn’t that be the concern?

I feel like many of these questions can be boiled down to fear. Just as wanting to express ourselves is a very human characteristic, the fear of what we can’t understand is, unfortunately, a very human thing as well. Those fears often turn into resentments, judgements, or stigmas. I think what’s important is to acknowledge our misunderstandings before they can fester into those stigmas. I’ve had misunderstandings myself. I’ve seen piercings and tattoos that have made me make assumptions about the people with them. I’ve had to remind myself that this is unfair. 

While the stigma around body modifications is, in many cases, systematic and difficult to dismantle, I think that we can begin to dismantle our judgments towards body modifications in everyday life by remembering what we all share; we’re all such distinct individuals, but at the end of the day, we share the fact that we’re human beings. I think remembering that is key to understanding each other a little better. 

Strike Out,

Georgia Witt

Editor: Maya Kayyal & Jaden Rudd

Saint Augustine
Georgia Witt is a writer for Strike Magazine STA and a freshman at Flagler College. She loves thrifting, going to the movies, reading & writing poetry, and riding her bike. You can reach her at georgiawitt3000@gmail.com or on Instagram @twink3rb3ll_