Summary
Contents
This book provides a clear, focused road map to the study of the body in society. It defines, explains and applies core topics relating to the human body demonstrating how we approach it as a social phenomenon.
Each concept: Includes an easy to understand definition; Provides real-world examples; Gives suggestions for further reading; Is carefully cross-referenced to other related concepts
Written to meet the needs of the modern student this book offers the basic materials, tools and guidance needed study and write about the body.
Modification/Dysmorphias
Modification/Dysmorphias
Definition Body modification can have a number of meanings, which will be grouped here into three generalizing categories. The first is bodily marking. This may be the result of traditional or tribal practices – such as scarification, piercing or tattooing – or the use of those practices by non-traditional and non-tribal people. The second is bodily enhancement.
This refers to the conscious reshaping of the body either through diet and exercise or through elective cosmetic/aesthetic surgery. The third is body modification. This can sometimes be used to refer to cosmetic surgeries but here it is being used specifically to refer to the surgical treatment of body dysmorphia and to gender reassignment.
Traditional or tribal bodily marking – such as scarification, piercing or tattoos – mark the ...