In 1997, the Hartford Courant published the research results of the American Economic Information Service concerning those economic branches which have shown the highest rates of expansion in 1996. Among expected high-tech branches such as the Internet, for example, one branch, which had up to that point not even been regarded as an economic branch, appeared among first six ranks: the tattoo- ind ustry (Stirn 285). This example clearly shows that tattooing has intensely increased in popularity towards the end of the 20 th century. Tattooing is no longer a rarity, but is present in everyday life. Tattoos can be detected on various kinds of parts on the human body, and the motives appear in uncountable varieties of shape and design, with colours ranging from plain black to gaudy. Tattoos are especially popular among younger people between the age of 15 and 25. In general, the numbers range from seven to twenty million tattooed individuals for the United States, and state about two million for Germany (Stirn 285). These numbers are generally only rough estimations, because there is no reliable method of counting, and the results mainly rely upon accounts of recently developing tattoo associations. The focus of this paper shall lie on the function of the tattoo, namely whether or not the tattoo is just an ephemeral fashion trend or a lasting constituent of the human culture. It shall be analysed in what way tattooing can be regarded as fashion and to what degree it can be considered to be a social symbol in human interaction. First, a general history of tattooing shall be given, because the development is important for the comparison. In order to avoid obscurities concerning the term tattoo or tattooing a short definition shall be given here. According to Finke, several authors differ in their definition of tattoos. Some sources use tattooing as a general topic including all kinds of body modification, such as branding, scarification and body painting (Finke 15-17). In the course of this paper, the term tattoo shall only be used to describe the pemanent embedding of pigments into the skin, excluding scarification, body painting and branding. a The given definition excludes all other forms of body alteration but raises the need to differentiate further. There are tattoos which have not been obtained voluntarily, so-called compulsive tattoos which have been put on prisoners or soldiers throughout history. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Cultural Tattoo History
3. Tattoos regarding Fashion and its role in society
4. Social symbols in human interaction
5. The meaning and function of tattoos
5.1 Signs of affiliation and initiation
5.1.1 Tattoos as a requirement for admittance
5.1.2 Tattoos as a voluntary aspect of group admittance
5.2 Distinction and exclusiveness
6. Conclusion
7. Works Cited
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines whether tattoos serve merely as an ephemeral fashion trend or represent a enduring constituent of human culture. The research explores the sociological and communicative functions of tattooing, focusing on how these bodily modifications act as social symbols in human interaction, specifically through the mechanisms of affiliation and distinction.
- Historical evolution of tattooing in Europe and America
- Sociological perspective on fashion, imitation, and social status
- Tattoos as social symbols and tools for human communication
- The role of tattoos in affiliation and group initiation rituals
- The psychological and social need for distinction and exclusiveness
Excerpt from the Book
3. Tattoos regarding Fashion and its role in society
At the simplest level, clothing and fashions are adopted in order to display symbolically gender, social status, role, lifestyle values, personal interests, and other identity features (Sanders 4).
This statement names all the basic functions of fashion. In the following the sociological background of fashion and its role in society and culture shall be analysed, and it shall be examined in what way tattoos can be considered a fashion.
According to Simmel, every life form in the history of our species personates a special way to combine the interest in unity, endurance and equality with that in change, distinctiveness and uniqueness. The psychological tendency to use imitation in order to achieve this goal, is essential to this process. Simmel even goes as far as regarding imitation as a psychological heredity. Imitation gives the individual the certainty that he or she does not act alone, but that his actions are based on something he or she shares with a number of individuals, and the individual is not solely responsible for these actions.
Imitation fulfils one of the basic needs and directions of our being which is the melting of the single with universality. On the other hand, imitation contradicts with the human striving for distinction and uniqueness. This oppositional character defines fashion (Simmel 33).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research context, highlighting the economic growth of the tattoo industry and defining the scope of the study regarding the permanent embedding of pigments.
2. Cultural Tattoo History: This section provides an overview of the historical development of tattooing, from prehistoric findings to the modern era, emphasizing its changing cultural status.
3. Tattoos regarding Fashion and its role in society: This chapter analyzes the sociological background of fashion and examines how tattooing functions similarly to fashion regarding imitation and social distinction.
4. Social symbols in human interaction: This part explores the theoretical basis of symbols and how they facilitate communication, defining tattoos as social objects used for identity expression.
5. The meaning and function of tattoos: This chapter investigates the specific functions of tattoos as tools for affiliation, group initiation, and personal distinction within different social structures.
6. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, concluding that while tattoos share characteristics with fashion, they persist as essential social symbols of communication and identity.
7. Works Cited: This section lists the academic sources and literature used to support the analysis of the paper.
Keywords
Tattoos, Fashion, Social Symbols, Symbolic Interactionism, Identity, Affiliation, Distinction, Human Communication, Body Modification, Cultural History, Subculture, Sociology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research?
The paper examines whether tattoos represent a transient fashion trend or a permanent social and cultural symbol of communication.
What are the primary thematic pillars?
The main themes include the history of tattooing, the sociological function of fashion, symbolic interactionism, and the human needs for social affiliation and individual distinction.
What is the main objective of this study?
The goal is to analyze how tattoos function as social symbols and to determine why they have transitioned from an extraordinary fashion to an accepted form of creative expression.
Which methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative approach, synthesizing sociological and cultural-historical theories to interpret the symbolic role of tattoos in modern and historical societies.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the historical roots of tattooing, the sociological definitions of fashion by Simmel, the symbolic interactionist perspective on human communication, and the roles of tattoos in subcultures and social identity.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include social symbols, affiliation, distinction, identity, body modification, and symbolic interactionism.
How does the author distinguish between fashion and tattoos?
While both serve as social identifiers, the author argues that tattoos are distinguished by their permanence, the physical pain of acquisition, and their deeper, more intimate role in personal self-definition.
Why do tattoos serve as a medium for distinction in modern society?
The author explains that in a society promoting anonymity and standard identities, tattoos allow individuals to reclaim their personal identity and uniqueness through a permanent mark on the body.
- Citation du texte
- Kerstin Müller (Auteur), 2002, Tatoos: Fashion trend vs. social symbol of communication, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/29991
