Body Modification

• Youruba tribe: Scarification reveals a sense of beauty and power, demonstrated as a cultural norm within the Youruba tribe. This form of body modification highlights the importance of status and how scars are socially constructed to define power
• Crocodile men: tribe in Papa New Guinea, receive scarification for similar reasons as Yourube tribe. Men aged 11-30 plus are ideally expected to have scars as it is what enables them to enter 'manhood' . This reveals how a 'manly' body is socially constructed to look like they had been through many battles in order to gain power and respect. Pain they experience is intended to prepare them for future battles. Links to biopsychological functionalism, extent individuals would go to gain sense of belonging
• Body piercing: Body piercings serve various purposes across different cultures. For example, among some African tribes, lip plates are worn as a sign of wealth and prestige. These practices reflect the values and beliefs held by those communities regarding gender roles and identity.
• Modern day tattoos: 1980s tattoos were inspired by many cultures and had become a fashion trend. To this day we associate tattoos with criminals which indicates how the body can easily be presented to dit under the category of a social construct
• Scarification: The crocodile men


  The Sepik people in Papua New Guinea take part in a ritual to gain status as a full man. The scars have saved men’s lives as when under attack the scars were shown and the attackers were left due to the reputation of the tribe members. It’s an expensive ritual and takes place every 4-6 years. Initiates can be from the ages of 12-35 years old. By expelling the mother’s post-partum blood, the ritual is distancing the men from their mothers.
• Tattoos: The Yakuza


  The Yakuza, the Japanese mafia get tattoos to show to others that they are a part of the gang. They can get an individual killed if they are seen in another’s gangs’ territory whilst exposing their tattoos. They serve as a means to ensure protection as they have a historical connection to a criminal lifestyle.