Leo, J. (1995, July 31). "The ‘modern primitives’: Body piercing and other modifications." U.S. News & World Report, 119 (5), p. 16.

OVERVIEW

According to the author, Fakir Musafar’s term ‘modern primitives’ is "[repositioning the sadomasochist instinct] to look spiritually high-toned."

In fact, suggests Leo, piercing did begin in the "homosexual sadomasochistic culture of the West Coast." Los Angeles’ Gauntlet, founded in 1975, once served a narrow clientele; today, thanks to "music videos, rock stars, and models," the clientele includes the mass market.

Leo offers various reasons for piercings:

• Sexual pleasure.
• To be bold or stylish.
• To reveal rage.
• To exhibit a group identity.
• A rite of passage.

There are also myriad possible messages communicated by those being pierced:

• Greater self focus.
• Redemption of one’s body from an anti-body society.
• Symbolic spiritual transformation (however unspecified).
• Discontent with Western rationality, logic, and sexual mores.
• Frustration with modern days’ impact on life.

Fakir Musafar holds that body decoration is a " ‘conscious attempt to repudiate Western norms and values by adopting the marks and rings of primitive cultures.’ " According to Leo, others believe that "…individuals are changing what they have power over: their own bodies.…By giving visible expression to unknown desires and latent obsessions welling up from within, individuals can provoke change."

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. What do you think piercing reflects: fashion, spiritual transformation or centeredness, anger, helplessness, or something else?
2. What are the implications of piercings’ roots for today’s culture?

IMPLICATIONS

1. So often, adults read into youthful behavior without really understanding theadolescents’ perspective. Young people are not always as calculating and group-aware as adults may think. With the growing popularity of body decoration (scarring, tattoos, piercing), some of its original implications may have since eroded.
2. Youth workers can offer spirituality and centeredness to these kids to help them deal with—not subvert—their anger. Offer alternatives that will work within their culture; this will allow them to express themselves in other ways than on their own bodies.

Carol E. Robertson cCYS