Kaitlyn Skrzypczak English Composition I Ryan Wilson October 24, 2013 Reframing the Cultural Crisis Body modifications

are anything an individual does to modify their physical appearance through varying degrees of permanence. (i.e. cutting hair, dieting, make up, weight lifting). In a narrower sense, body mods are seen as piercings, tattoos, stretching and other similar practices. In John Leos essay Modern Primitives he theorizes that the rise in these body modifications is a result of dissatisfaction with traditional Western culture and anger at the state of American political and social life (162). He does not, however, believe in the pro body mod argument that individuals can obtain agency and reclaim their bodies from society through such practices. Leo writes, Cultural crisis cant really be dealt with by letting loose our personal obsessions and marking up our bodies. But the rapid spread of this movement is yet another sign that the crisis is here (162). Although I believe were in a cultural crisis I dont think it does any good to dismiss marginalized people and their attempts at agency. To understand the issue more clearly I think its important to focus on the groups that adopt these markers, such as women, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people) and victims of sexual and/or physical abuse, and the society that they operate in. We live in a patriarchal society that is ruled by men in the areas of politics, business, culture and family life. Male dominance is valued and seen as normal in our country. It is simply expected that men hold positions of power. In patriarchal societies women are seen as second-class citizens for their occupation of a lower social status. They are conditioned to be passive, take up less space, and be pleasing

Kaitlyn Skrzypczak English Composition I Ryan Wilson October 24, 2013 Reframing the Cultural Crisis for the male gaze. This more often than not creates a hostile relationship with ones body as women compare themselves to and try to obtain these unrealistic and fetishized images of female beauty. Female bodies are seen as the property of the public, and are constantly objectified to sell products or give pleasure via pornography, film, and television. One pro body modification argument states that women want to reclaim and reconnect with their bodies as their own in a culture that incessantly tells them how to be female. Leo, however, does not agree with this argument and states, But most of us achieve intimacy, or at least search for it, without a knife in hand (161). But most of are not afforded the same privilege in society that John Leo holds. As a presumably white, heterosexual, conservative, male our culture caters to Leos ideologies and worldview. Although I do not know his personal experiences I would argue that his apparent lack of empathy for oppressed people is why he cannot understand their desire to reclaim their bodies. Our culture is not only patriarchal, but also hetero-normative. This means that heterosexual relationships between men and women are the upheld ideal in our society. This idea is perpetuated through all forms of mass media and is in turn propagated in our cultural values. Although some variances in biological sex, sexuality, gender identity and gender roles are given spotlight from time to time, it is a rare occurrence and hardly the norm. LGBTQ people have hardly any representation in our cultural narratives and this can send the message that people like you do not exist and your way of being is wrong. Body modifications offer this

Kaitlyn Skrzypczak English Composition I Ryan Wilson October 24, 2013 Reframing the Cultural Crisis group of people a way to contest the rigid dichotomies provided such as male/female and gay/straight and allow them alternatives to the mainstream conceptualizations of identity. Male and female survivors of sexual and/or physical abuse under male dominance also face difficult relationships with their bodies. The violation of a persons bodily integrity through these forms of abuse can cause low self-esteem, shame, and severely negative feelings toward ones body. Modifications have helped people to reconnect with the body theyve felt so much disgust for and give people a chance to define their body on their own terms. An argument against body modifications likens the practices to self-mutilation. However, for many modification is not seen as self-injury, which is a private and hidden affair. Rather it is a statement of self-ownership over ones body. There is a multitude of reasons why people choose to modify their bodies in both socially accepted and deviant ways. The more extreme body modifications that amputate or permanently damage parts of the body could be seen as pathological, but I believe the less invasive practices have many motivators. It doesnt do any good to stigmatize and other individuals who choose to adopt these markers. There needs to be a better understanding of our culture and society and the ways it shapes peoples relationships with their bodies, particularly those of despised social statuses. The crisis at hand is of a toxic culture that makes individuals uncomfortable in their own skin. Instead of dismissing the marginalized groups and

Kaitlyn Skrzypczak English Composition I Ryan Wilson October 24, 2013 Reframing the Cultural Crisis their attempts at agency we need to critically analyze the narrow-minded culture that makes them feel so out of place.