Body Modification and Contempo

Because of these and other circumstances unique to our social world, complete cultural isolation is nearly impossible. Isolation seems to be especially impractical when one must work, acquire food and clothing, and obtain a culturally acceptable amount of education.
             Because the hierarchy in our society is based primarily on monetary and vocational achievements, and rites of passage no longer play a role in the determination of an individuals social standing, the rite of passage has evolved primarily into a testimonial, recording important events in life as defined by the individual. Some rites of passage, e.g. birth, marriage, and funeral rites, still exist which change one's social position, but their performance varies depending on people's spiritual beliefs. Because contemporary rites of passage have become extremely personalized, there really can be no culturally universal rites of passage. .
             Body Modification and Rites of Passage.
             In a number of pre-industrial societies modification of the physical body demonstrates changes in the social or spiritual body. In some cases these physical changes are thought to actually create such spiritual and social alterations. In today's society body modification also plays a part in the rites of passage created by certain individuals. Not all individuals who choose to modify their bodies do so for this reason, and many do not consciously modify their bodies as a rite of passage. .
             My interest in the motivations of individuals who modify their bodies, especially in cases where the modification may not be culturally acceptable, has led me to explore web sites containing essays describing personal experiences of body modifiers. There I have found evidence that many people consciously or unconsciously modify their bodies to mark the advent or conclusion of important events and times of their lives. Through my Internet research and use of such sources as interviews, articles found in periodicals, and books on popular culture, I have discovered quite a range of circumstances which lead individuals to mark their bodies in contemporary rites of passage.