The history of piercing art probably goes back as the oldest human mummy
and has taken many weird but surprising turns along the way. Even if you don’t
have any piercings, there is a massive chance you probably know someone who has
them. Nowadays, it’s a very common beauty trend and even sometimes a form of
self expression which adds to personality. Piercing has been definitely around
for thousands of years. But where did it come from? Why do we still do it?
Actually, piercings are one of the oldest body modifications known to our
human race. In very ancient civilizations, scientists found some records of many
different kind of piercings, from noses to ears and shockingly; even nipples! Even
before people were able to write, some piercings were a sign of a social class
belongingness. Surprisingly, the oldest human who was discovered shows an evidence
of an ear piercing, and it is estimated that he died 5300 years ago!
Piercing art carries a huge deal of cultural meaning in various
civilizations.
For example, Ancient Roman men got their nipples pierced as a symbol of
their masculinity. Only years later it has become something common among women.
Male earrings came back though in the 17th century for impressing future wives.
Actually in Europe, it was widely
accepted and became a fashion trend for young and rich men as a kind of advertisement
for women, they intended to marry. For instance, male diamond or pearl earrings
were a sing of wealthy family. Sadly, earrings for men went out of fashion for
decades but reappeared in the late 20th century as a sign of a sexual orientation.
Belly button piercings – from royal status to taboo
Ancient Egyptians considered this type of piercing as a royal status
indication. Only the royalty was allowed to have their belly buttons pierced
and according to historians, non-royal people got executed for having this king
of ring. Centuries later, it got a
stigma of being rebellious and scandalous and was associated with prostitutes
and a sexual culture until the 90s!
Unfortunately, even today’s society judges people by their piercings. Sadly,
society is and has been stuck on visual judgment.
Questions:
1. Do you have any piercings and if so what kind?
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among
men nowadays?
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
Comments
I have one friend who have one earring. But actually he is the only person who I know who have earring. Generally, men do not wear too many accessories to their everyday clothing. It seems to me that we do not need it on a daily basis
No I don’t consider any kind of piercing scandalous.
I made myself a piercing on the ears when I was 10 years old, 2 in the left 3 in the right. As a teenager, I wanted to pierce my nose and eyebrow.
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
I don't think that they are not common. We just do not see all the places where they are. My brother's friend's ears are pierced. My guy, too, when it was 1 ear pierced. Many rockers, tattoo masters have a lot of piercings.
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
Never heard the scandalous story where the piercing was implicated. Unless articles about people with the most body piercings.
2. I think that the purpose of ear piercings is simply being a part of woman’s jewellery. It is just totally unmanly to wear ear piercings and any other type of piercing. The only type of jewellery which is allowed for men are cufflinks and watches. Of course, I tolerate men with piercings because it doesn’t offend me in any way and I simply don’t care, but in formal situations like business meetings or working in a place with strict dress-code piercing is and should be forbidden for men because it is disrespectful and ridiculous.
3. Yes, I think that children, especially those who can’t decide for themselves should never be forced to wear piercings. Sometimes we can hear about parents who “decided” to pierce their daughter’s ears. Such behaviour is irresponsible and extremely dumb-ass.
I have no opinion. Few of my colleagues have a pierced earring.
It seems to me that I do not know a scandal with earrings.
I am sorry I wrote little, but it's a boring topic for me.
No, I don't have a piercing, and I haven't done it yet. I haven't even thought about it yet. Who knows what I want in the future. But now it seems to me that this is not for me.
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
Recently, I see a lot of men with piercings. A rather common thing, although I agree, there are still fewer men with piercings than women. I do not even know. Maybe this is due to the cultural characteristics of certain regions, or simply with stereotypical patterns.
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
I have not heard of any scandalous piercings. Another thing saw people who are champions in this area. That is, for example, a person who has the largest number of piercings on the ear, or on the body in general.
Not really, I just don’t feel any need of having piercings (or tattoos) on my body.
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
I guess, it is because for years now, ear piercing was somehow connected with woman style? And the fact, that for some time it was a way of showing your sexual orientation. I think, that some men may be worried of misunderstandid?
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
Well, I heard of some celebrities known especially for their extreme piercing, so propably there is some scandal connected to it. But personally, I do not care what others do with their body. Who am I to judge them?
It’s probably connected with what you’ve wrote in the article that it was for a long time considered as scandalous etc. and that belief still exists.
I find it scandalous when somebody is full of it. Like just has it everywhere.
Have ear piercing ever been popular among men? I think that man live generally more uncomfortable life, and having an additional uncomfortability like earring would make it worse, like having a grabpoint in fight, or something worth stealing.
I do not consider any kind of piercing scandalous, people shpuld do whatever they want as long as they do not hurt anyone else, i just dont get the allure of piercing.
2. I don't think it's less common, many men pierce their ears
3. No I don’t consider any kind of piercing scandalous.
On the other side, I would try up those questions if I were single.
I don't. I feel that I accept myself as I am, and don't want to change my self-image in any way. But I am not against piercing or tattoos - I feel that whoever feels they need them, should be allowed to have them. You know, whatever works. Live and let live.
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
I think it is due to the fact that they became sign of sexual orientation, precisely what you mentioned in your article. Still, I think it becomes more and more common again for men know to have piercings.
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
Maybe if you pierce your ENTIRE face, like these people you can see on the memes.
2. I think it isn't considered 'manly' nowadays in modern culture. For me only jewellery for men is watch. Rest is just eccentric.
3. As I said above. Any other than in ears.
I don’t have any piercings and probably wouldn’t want one. It’s not really my thing.
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
I don’t really know, I guess that’s how fashion works. Some things are popular when other are considered ugly and couple of years the situation might be excacly opposite. I think that it’s possible that in couple of years ear piercings could be very popular among men.
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
No, why would I? It’s your body, if you want them and feel pretty with them, why would it bother me.
Yes, I have a piercing. Apart from the ears, I have my tongue punctured, nose and have an intimate piercing. I think that piercing is beautiful, with its help you can express your individuality.
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
Hmmm, many guys used to pierce their ears. But now there are more opportunities. Nowadays, piercing has become more common and less disapproval for its presence. Therefore, I believe that men have stopped piercing their ears since they have more choice.
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
No, I do not think so. My body, my business. You can do any piercing, and it will not be a shame. But there may be problems with employment. Here everyone already sets priorities.
2. Compared to what? 17th century? They seem to be gaining ground recently if you ask me.
3. I’m sure that I could find an example, if I searched long enough. Wouldn’t say that about any of the common picks. Distasteful? Maybe. Unaesthetic? Sure. Scandalous isn’t a word I often use.
Nah, i have none however i wanted some when i was younger. I guess it was just "fashionable" back then. As well as long hair but i cut them off long time ago.
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
I guess its just fashion. Some trends just went away. Can't really tell too much.
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
Not really, for sure some places like open nose or most parts of face isn't most beutiful but not really scandalous. Other stuff wont be more visable then this so what else is left. I guess in todays world nothing is really strange, or at least you are learned to embrase it.
I have 3 piercing in one ear (regular one) and in the other ear I have regular one and industrial across the ear.
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
Maybe a lot of men consider piercing more femine, but I think piercing among men nowdays is common. I have a lot of male friends that have piercing. It could be also cultural thing - in some cultures it could be undesirable.
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
Nah. I think everyone should do anything when it comes to their bodies. If they interested in doing a lot of strange piercing, I'm down for it. Personally, I like piercing on people, but I wouldn't do it on any other part of my body than ears.
No, I do not have any earrings on my body.
Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
I think that because it has always been a hallmark of women and in my opinion women always match sparkles that emphasize beauty. Nowadays, this border disappears which in my opinion is not cool because hmm, it looks weird in men?
Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
I think not. It is possible that I have never heard of such a problem
2. I do not know, I do not understand why we would need it.
3. For me it is indifferent, let everyone do what he wants.
I think it’s just about fashion, now it’s rare to see a man with piercing, but it may be very common in the near future. Fashion tends to revive old trends and years ago piercing was popular and cool among men, so who knows?
Nope, as long as someone feels comfortable with it. I’m rather not into forbid anything to anyone. If someone wants to look scandalous, who am I to judge?
Only in my ears so it si popular and acceptable by others way . In past I thought about piercing in my nose but I was around 10 years ago and now am glad that my Mom forbids me it . :)
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
People very easly getting used to things, so if in past peoples had problems with this fact than now , were we can see people with all body tattoed its normal, try to imagine , how people 200 years ago can react for men on higheels and piercing, and now ?
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
No, we should to fell free with our body, if someone decided to have body like that I must to accept it , because his or her body doesn't belong to me, I don't want to let other people to decide what I can do with my body or not. So I don't care about any scandalous and I don't want to read about it .
No, that kind of body modification is not an option for me
2. Why do you think ear piercings are less common among men nowadays?
Looks gay, thats it
3. Do you consider any kind of piercing scandalous?
Well its scandalous when you show it, like a piercing in your ass, nobody knows untill its presented to public