Body piercing : fashion or communication? : a study of the phenomenon of body piercing with particular reference to Malta and the role of the media in its proliferation

Abstract

In the last few years we have witnessed the resurgence of body piercing especially within certain groups in society in particular the adolescent and early adult population segments. One could say that body piercing has existed in some shape or form in all human societies even that in the Western world. In the society within which we live, which we could label "southern European" it is interesting to note that the piercing of the ears of young girls has been an accepted practice for generations whilst other forms of this practice have been considered deviant. Body modification can be said to be a sign of control over our own bodies. It provokes reactions in others in society. This research attempts to discover whether (a) people modifying their bodies through body piercing are part of a particular group (b) the real motives behind such practice and ( c) the influence of the media on the spreading of such practice if any. The data was obtained through qualitative research using in-depth interviews with semi-structured, open-ended questions. There were no age limits for the sample selection and the respondants were of both sexes. This approach enabled the respondants to express themselves freely. The research can be placed in the theoretical context of cultural communication.