With so many types of body jewelry available, from a conventional ring or pierced earring, to the more unconventional tongue or nipple piercing, it is interesting to discover the reasons people in the 21st century wear jewelry to adorn their bodies. By understanding this you may gain a new sense of acceptance when you see someone with an unusual piercing.
Some in the older generations simply don't understand why teenagers or young adults would want to put holes in their bodies in unusual places. This same generation will readily accept a single pierced earring or a ring on the finger, but have difficulty with a tongue piercing or ear plug or even multiple piercings in the lobe.
But rest assured the world is not going to "Hell in a handbasket" as one elderly woman commented. It is however, more willing to express itself through the use of body jewelry. Besides, at one point this same senior generation was considered rebels in their own right by listening to jazz, drinking alcohol, or dancing to rock and roll.
The top five reasons that people wear body jewelry today include:
Fashion - The availability of various types of jewelry available, for practically every part of the human anatomy, is a beautiful enhancement to fashion styles available.
Honoring their heritage - Some people may wear a type of body jewelry that may have been popular with members of their family from prior generations. Some American-born youth may seek a connection by wearing jewelry from a certain region, or in a certain style, that is indicative of their family's roots which they celebrate.
Status Symbol - The history of body jewelry includes wearing certain types of jewels or precious metals that would outwardly show the family's wealth or position. This is still in practice today.
Religious connection -There is little difference between a person wearing a Cross or Star of David in the form of body jewelry such as a necklace, earring, belly ring, or toe ring. Most likely the style and design appealed to the person. It is also symbolic of their belief system.
To make a statement - This statement can be political, social, or fashion related. In any case the person is choosing to express their thoughts through their choice of body jewelry. It's really no different from a person wearing a t-shirt with a quote, or picture depicting a concert or event they attended. It's a statement about the journey that the individual is on.
Julie enjoys sharing health and beauty tips. A great resource for flat irons, curling irons and hair styling tools of all kinds is My Hair Styling Tools.