Tattooed Bodies: Embodying and Expressing Identity Público
Akdim, Soukaina (Spring 2018)
Abstract
Body modifications have been prevalent for centuries and are practices for a great variety of reasons. Lately, tattoos in particular have become increasingly popular. Thus, a better understanding of the underlying motivations behind getting tattooed is required. This thesis presents an anthropological analysis as to the connection between identity and tattoos, and how tattoos can both embody and express one’s identity. As such, this thesis explores the implications of tattooing for the creation of identity and its management. It is comprised of a series of recorded ethnographic interviews of tattooees and examined through the lens of pre-existing themes in the literature review. This data collection and its analysis serves as ethnographic support for these themes along with other various themes that emerged such as the concept of symmetry, matching tattoos, pain and addiction, satisfying a desire, along with the aftermath of being tattooed. Seven broad themes were established for reference in future research. These seven themes include the tattoo as a choice that allows the reclaiming of the body, using the tattoo to internalize life events and personal narrative, tattoos as a form of self-expression, the symbolic meaning behind it along with its permanence, the prevailing historical stigma attached to tattoos, pain and addiction and of course the aftermath experiences and feelings of getting tattooed. In effect, this paper is an in-depth exploration of the impact of tattooing on the self not only as bodies of flesh but as individuals.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Literature Review 1
Socio-Historical Background on Tattoos 17
Methods and Presentation of Study 22
Results and Discussion 24
1. Choice and Reclaiming the body 24
2. The External to Internal 29
3. A Form of Expression 51
4. Symbolic Meaning and Permanence 63
5. Stigma and History 81
6. Pain and Addiction 92
7. Aftermath of being Tattooed 96
Conclusion 102
References 105
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