Body modification refers to any physical alteration that a person makes to their body, such as a tattoo or piercing. It is a broad category that includes just about any alteration that a person makes to their body. These changes might be subtle, such as pierced ears, or more noticeable, such as a stretched neck or branded skin. People opt to change their appearance for a variety of reasons, either temporarily or permanently. These reasons are often culturally specific, which means that what you may find extreme in one society may be quite reasonable in another. Women (and some males) in various Asian and African cultures, for example, will wear a large piece of jewelry to lengthen their necks in order to be deemed more attractive.
The world of body modification is cloaked in secrecy. For years, this subculture has been depicted as deviant in the public eye, with extended ears, dermal implants, tattoos, and even hook suspension. On closer examination, however, it becomes clear that those who are branded "freaks" and "delinquents" are simply expressing themselves in a truly unique way and are otherwise normal and productive members of society. Ex-convicts, emos, and freaks aren't the only ones with piercings and tattoos, contrary to popular belief.
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