I need help with this assignment

What are the biggest takeaways and lessons you've learned from the reading

Transcribed Image Text:BODY MODIFICATION 358 order to achieve an impossibly small, feminine foot, considered attractive in this the Song dynasty (960-1279) and was most likely begun for aesthetic reasons, in time. The practice was finally banned in the early 20th century by China's Manchu rulers of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). It is noteworthy that the Mongol rulers of the Yuan (1279-1368) and the Manchu rulers of the Qing did not engage in foot binding, and the women in these and many other ethnic minority groups in China never adopted the practice. It was mainly a practice of the majority Han Chinese, and by the 19th century, it had become widespread not only among elites but also of the foot was broken through a complex procedure of binding the foot in tight families. This is obviously an extreme example of body modification, since the arch among China's lower classes as a means to marry young women into higher-status The procedure was extremely painful and made it difficult for women to walk. cloth wrappings, and the four smaller toes were folded down around the largest. Another extreme example of body modification is found among the women of the Kayan Lahwi tribe in Myanmar (Burma) and northern Thailand, who appear to have extremely long necks, stretched by coiled brass rings. In this practice, young throughout their lives, pushing the clavicle or collarbone down and giving the girls are adorned with brass coils around their necks that are gradually increased appearance of an elongated neck. As with foot binding, this practice is generally believe to be related to aesthetics or the perceived physical beauty of the women who undergo this modification. The practice continues among some women in these groups today. Ritual tattooing and cutting of the body has been a common practice among cultural groups around the world throughout history, and some groups continue these practices today in various forms. In Papua New Guinea, for example, the skin-cutting ritual of the Kaningara tribe is an important rite of passage for young men. Unlike the above two examples of body modification, this one is reserved exclusively for men. In fact, it is designed to reinforce the maleness of the indi- vidual undergoing the ritual and to separate him from his mother's care and her ancestral line. Tattooing has long represented a rite of passage in many other cul- tures. Famously, the indigenous Maori of New Zealand have engaged in the ritual of ta moko, which is loosely termed tattooing but traditionally involves cutting and inking, not just the inking of a tattoo. These tattoos are often prominent facial decorations and are seen among cultural groups throughout Asia. The Li women of the highlands of China's Hainan Island, for example, have traditionally used facial tattoos to mark their rite of passage into married life. Today, some Maori people still choose to adopt the ta moko, which sometimes involves the more traditional cutting and inking of the skin but can also be done by nonpurists with a modern tattoo machine. The revival of the ta moko in recent decades has spread beyond the Maori community, leading some to question its cultural importance when divorced from the ritual significance of the Maori practice. Tattooing is popular around the world, although throughout Japanese history it has been taboo. In Japan, as in China, criminals and slaves were traditionally marked with tattoos, sometimes on their faces. In Japan's Tokugawa era (1603-1867), members of the yakuza, an that are visible in public. organized crime syndicate still in existence, began to practice full-body tattooing membership ritual, and this practice continues today. For these reasons, while some young people in Japan choose tattoos, it is still considered taboo to have Some forms of body modification found in Asia and Oceania are also not from facial alterations to breast implants or even buttock and call enhancements. uncommon in the United States. Plastic surgery is familiar to American observers, Artificial tanning or bleaching of the skin, body-hair removal, tattooing, and body piercings are also common in the United States as well as in Asia and Oceania. Some manifestations of these practices, however, are different, based on differing and overlapping aesthetics of beauty in the different regions. Deep artificial tan- ning, for example, is found to be attractive among some Americans, and it is also a part of some kinds of Japanese street fashion, particularly the ganguro style. On the other hand, having very light skin has been historically favored by the elites of many regions in Asia, including India and China. In India, some consider fairer skin to be a sign of higher status within the caste system. In China, women who see light skin as a marker of beauty and status often favor as pale a com- s possible. In south China and in Southeast Asia, where labor outdoors means darker skin for some, pale skin is sometimes seen as a marker of leisure as well. With a premium placed on pale skin for both beauty and status, products and medical procedures cater to this aesthetic, especially for women, but not without controversy. Some observers assert that skin-whitening products can have dangerous long-term effects, including stripping the skin of its natural pigmentation and healthy composition. Facial scarves, umbrellas, and other sun blockers are also popular among Chinese women, and some at the beach even choose full-body coverings that also include a product nicknamed the "facekini," which covers the entire face like a ski mask. plexion as naturally as a tattoos BODY MODIFICATION See also: Henna 359 Double eyelid surgery, or East Asian blepharoplasty, is a procedure in which the single eyelid is surgically converted to a double eyelid, meaning a crease is added to the eyelid. The epicanthic fold at the inner eye is also sometimes removed as part of this procedure. Controversies surround this elective procedure, since some crítics claim that those who undergo the surgery are trying to adhere to a white or Western standard of beauty. Many disagree, and regardless of criticism, it is a very popular procedure in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and increasingly in the People's Republic of China. While aesthetics are the main impetus behind this surgery, some assert that the reason for the procedure is to increase job prospects in a society that values this appearance. As with everything from breast enhancement to foot binding, questions and controversies surrounding these body modifications lead us to think not only about the individual who elects to undergo them, but more significantly to consider the culture and the social pressures exerted on that individual to make that choice. Jeremy A. Murray
Transcribed Image Text:ating pete rlac. ung er a uld itle iss ia the lack of international recovery efforts at the end of World War II. (America had left its former colony without support for reconstruction, unlike Europe, which benefitted from the Marshall Plan.) Beauty pageants thus became a favored tool to distract the population from endemic corruption and other societal problems. Newly crowned queens were utilized to promote the rulers of the state. With pov- erty widespread and opportunities for women few, they remained one of the few outlets for women to gain some form of economic agency. But not all competitors complacent and complicit; Miss World Philippines 1972 Margarita "Maita" Gomez joined the Communist armed movement fighting the Marcos dictatorship. Gomez took up arms and went into hiding until the Marcoses fell out of power women. She passed away in her sleep on July 12, 2012. in 1986. Thereafter, she continued her advocacy for social justice, especially for gence To this day, beauty pageants continue to serve many functions, from political tools to commercial marketing campaigns. They continue to attract multitudes of Filipino women, who bring with them, even before beauty, the pragmatic intelli- e of working with what little society offers them to gain the place they deserve in effecting individual and sometimes social change. With winners that range from the daughter of an American general to the great-niece of a national hero to a com- struggles and dreams of the Filipino woman. munist insurgent, at minimum, beauty pageants remain a platform for the diverse BODY MODIFICATION 357 Francis Tanglao-Aguas See also: National Attire, Philippines Further Reading Angeles City, PH: Holy Angel University Press. Castro, Alex R. 2014a. Aro Katimyas Da! A Memory Album of Titled Kapampangan Beauties. Castro, Alex R. 2014b. “Manila Carnivals 1908–1939: A Pictorial History of the Greatest Annual Event in the Orient." manilacarnivals.blogspot.com. Accessed March 26, 2016. Torre, Ricky. 2013. “Remembering the Year of Gemma." www.rappler.com. Accessed March 26, 2016. BODY MODIFICATION Body modification is a broad category that can include anything from foot binding to tattoos to earrings. Any intentional changes to the anatomy fall into this broad category. Body modification is undertaken for any number of reasons, which have historically included rites of passage, aesthetics, or perceived physical attractive- ness, and individual self-expression. The choice to undergo body modification can be a result of social or cultural norms or it can be in direct contravention of social norms. This broad definition is a good place to start, since in Asia and Oceania, body modification has a long history and, currently, diverse manifestations. Perhaps the most well-known historical example of body modification in Asia is the Chinese tradition of foot binding. This practice began among elite women in

Question

I need help with this assignment

What are the biggest takeaways and lessons you've learned from the reading

BODY MODIFICATION
358
order to achieve an impossibly small, feminine foot, considered attractive in this
the Song dynasty (960-1279) and was most likely begun for aesthetic reasons, in
time. The practice was finally banned in the early 20th century by China's Manchu
rulers of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). It is noteworthy that the Mongol rulers of
the Yuan (1279-1368) and the Manchu rulers of the Qing did not engage in foot
binding, and the women in these and many other ethnic minority groups in China
never adopted the practice. It was mainly a practice of the majority Han Chinese,
and by the 19th century, it had become widespread not only among elites but also
of the foot was broken through a complex procedure of binding the foot in tight
families. This is obviously an extreme example of body modification, since the arch
among China's lower classes as a means to marry young women into higher-status
The procedure was extremely painful and made it difficult for women to walk.
cloth wrappings, and the four smaller toes were folded down around the largest.
Another extreme example of body modification is found among the women of
the Kayan Lahwi tribe in Myanmar (Burma) and northern Thailand, who appear to
have extremely long necks, stretched by coiled brass rings. In this practice, young
throughout their lives, pushing the clavicle or collarbone down and giving the
girls are adorned with brass coils around their necks that are gradually increased
appearance of an elongated neck. As with foot binding, this practice is generally
believe to be related to aesthetics or the perceived physical beauty of the women
who undergo this modification. The practice continues among some women in
these groups today.
Ritual tattooing and cutting of the body has been a common practice among
cultural groups around the world throughout history, and some groups continue
these practices today in various forms. In Papua New Guinea, for example, the
skin-cutting ritual of the Kaningara tribe is an important rite of passage for young
men. Unlike the above two examples of body modification, this one is reserved
exclusively for men. In fact, it is designed to reinforce the maleness of the indi-
vidual undergoing the ritual and to separate him from his mother's care and her
ancestral line. Tattooing has long represented a rite of passage in many other cul-
tures. Famously, the indigenous Maori of New Zealand have engaged in the ritual
of ta moko, which is loosely termed tattooing but traditionally involves cutting
and inking, not just the inking of a tattoo. These tattoos are often prominent facial
decorations and are seen among cultural groups throughout Asia. The Li women of
the highlands of China's Hainan Island, for example, have traditionally used facial
tattoos to mark their rite of passage into married life. Today, some Maori people
still choose to adopt the ta moko, which sometimes involves the more traditional
cutting and inking of the skin but can also be done by nonpurists with a modern
tattoo machine. The revival of the ta moko in recent decades has spread beyond the
Maori community, leading some to question its cultural importance when divorced
from the ritual significance of the Maori practice. Tattooing is popular around
the world, although throughout Japanese history it has been taboo. In Japan, as
in China, criminals and slaves were traditionally marked with tattoos, sometimes
on their faces. In Japan's Tokugawa era (1603-1867), members of the yakuza, an
that are visible in public.
organized crime syndicate still in existence, began to practice full-body tattooing
membership ritual, and this practice continues today. For these reasons, while
some young people in Japan choose tattoos, it is still considered taboo to have
Some forms of body modification found in Asia and Oceania are also not
from facial alterations to breast implants or even buttock and call enhancements.
uncommon in the United States. Plastic surgery is familiar to American observers,
Artificial tanning or bleaching of the skin, body-hair removal, tattooing, and body
piercings are also common in the United States as well as in Asia and Oceania.
Some manifestations of these practices, however, are different, based on differing
and overlapping aesthetics of beauty in the different regions. Deep artificial tan-
ning, for example, is found to be attractive among some Americans, and it is also a
part of some kinds of Japanese street fashion, particularly the ganguro style.
On the other hand, having very light skin has been historically favored by the
elites of many regions in Asia, including India and China. In India, some consider
fairer skin to be a sign of higher status within the caste system. In China, women
who see light skin as a marker of beauty and status often favor as pale a com-
s possible. In south China and in Southeast Asia, where labor outdoors
means darker skin for some, pale skin is sometimes seen as a marker of
leisure as well. With a premium placed on pale skin for both beauty and status,
products and medical procedures cater to this aesthetic, especially for women,
but not without controversy. Some observers assert that skin-whitening products
can have dangerous long-term effects, including stripping the skin of its natural
pigmentation and healthy composition. Facial scarves, umbrellas, and other sun
blockers are also popular among Chinese women, and some at the beach even
choose full-body coverings that also include a product nicknamed the "facekini,"
which covers the entire face like a ski mask.
plexion as
naturally
as a
tattoos
BODY MODIFICATION
See also: Henna
359
Double eyelid surgery, or East Asian blepharoplasty, is a procedure in which the
single eyelid is surgically converted to a double eyelid, meaning a crease is added to
the eyelid. The epicanthic fold at the inner eye is also sometimes removed as part of
this procedure. Controversies surround this elective procedure, since some crítics
claim that those who undergo the surgery are trying to adhere to a white or Western
standard of beauty. Many disagree, and regardless of criticism, it is a very popular
procedure in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and increasingly in the People's Republic
of China. While aesthetics are the main impetus behind this surgery, some assert that
the reason for the procedure is to increase job prospects in a society that values this
appearance. As with everything from breast enhancement to foot binding, questions
and controversies surrounding these body modifications lead us to think not only
about the individual who elects to undergo them, but more significantly to consider
the culture and the social pressures exerted on that individual to make that choice.
Jeremy A. Murray

ating
pete
rlac.
ung
er a
uld
itle
iss
ia
the lack of international recovery efforts at the end of World War II. (America had
left its former colony without support for reconstruction, unlike Europe, which
benefitted from the Marshall Plan.) Beauty pageants thus became a favored tool
to distract the population from endemic corruption and other societal problems.
Newly crowned queens were utilized to promote the rulers of the state. With pov-
erty widespread and opportunities for women few, they remained one of the few
outlets for women to gain some form of economic agency. But not all competitors
complacent and complicit; Miss World Philippines 1972 Margarita "Maita"
Gomez joined the Communist armed movement fighting the Marcos dictatorship.
Gomez took up arms and went into hiding until the Marcoses fell out of power
women. She passed away in her sleep on July 12, 2012.
in 1986. Thereafter, she continued her advocacy for social justice, especially for
gence
To this day, beauty pageants continue to serve many functions, from political
tools to commercial marketing campaigns. They continue to attract multitudes of
Filipino women, who bring with them, even before beauty, the pragmatic intelli-
e of working with what little society offers them to gain the place they deserve
in effecting individual and sometimes social change. With winners that range from
the daughter of an American general to the great-niece of a national hero to a com-
struggles and dreams of the Filipino woman.
munist insurgent, at minimum, beauty pageants remain a platform for the diverse
BODY MODIFICATION 357
Francis Tanglao-Aguas
See also: National Attire, Philippines
Further Reading
Angeles City, PH: Holy Angel University Press.
Castro, Alex R. 2014a. Aro Katimyas Da! A Memory Album of Titled Kapampangan Beauties.
Castro, Alex R. 2014b. “Manila Carnivals 1908–1939: A Pictorial History of the Greatest
Annual Event in the Orient." manilacarnivals.blogspot.com. Accessed March 26, 2016.
Torre, Ricky. 2013. “Remembering the Year of Gemma." www.rappler.com. Accessed March
26, 2016.
BODY MODIFICATION
Body modification is a broad category that can include anything from foot binding
to tattoos to earrings. Any intentional changes to the anatomy fall into this broad
category. Body modification is undertaken for any number of reasons, which have
historically included rites of passage, aesthetics, or perceived physical attractive-
ness, and individual self-expression. The choice to undergo body modification can
be a result of social or cultural norms or it can be in direct contravention of social
norms. This broad definition is a good place to start, since in Asia and Oceania,
body modification has a long history and, currently, diverse manifestations.
Perhaps the most well-known historical example of body modification in Asia
is the Chinese tradition of foot binding. This practice began among elite women in

Accepted Answer

The article titled Body Modification was written by Jeremy A Murray. He is an assistant professor of…