Art and gender review - Book Report/Review Example

Art and Gender Book Review A person’s self-definition is mostly defined by their physical appearance. In addition, the society uses this appearance to categorize individuals. This helps in interpretation of behavior and in determining how to make decisions concerning coordination of social activities. This is because meeting the cultural criteria for beauty is socially and personally important. Attractiveness has a significant impact on people’s social lives. This is why people think of the attractive individuals more often, express better appreciation for the work done by attractive people and view them as being healthier.

Such individuals are even better at establishing relationships. This is mostly because of their self-esteem, which is high. Deviation from the norms of one’s community behaviors mostly shows disapproval of the ongoing behaviors or the mainstream. While there are various methods to deviate from the norms, tattooing, which is a permanent piece of art, is practiced by individuals especially in the western countries. Tattooing may be used to indicate a special attachment to a group or groups, self-concepts, and certain activities.

Besides tattooing, body paint has also been used as a non-permanent busy altering strategy. This can be used to separate members of one community from those of another. Body painting has been practiced for many centuries and is geographically widespread. There are different symbolic meanings behind every color used. Body decorations are valued for uniqueness. The individuals involved in these strategies maintain that they are mainly concerned with trapping the opposite sex. There are other ways of showcasing beauty especially through bodily hair.

Hair can be altered in various ways such as removal, cutting, and coloring. Other permanent body alteration methods include body sculpture, scarification, and piercing. Plastic surgery is also permanent but usually done by individuals who want to avoid stigmatization resulting from facial disfigurement. Such procedures are done in the name of appearing appealing to the society. Cosmetic reconstructions can also be done so as to erase any signs of aging and in removing fatty tissue. Dark skinned individuals resort to scarification because tattooing may be ineffective.

It is suspected that the most common method of permanent body alteration, tattooing, may have been used as early as late Stone Age. In the same way as is the case in the modern world, significant respect was awarded to the individuals that were heavily tattooed in the past. For some communities, tattooing had a spiritual role where it was believed to protect people during the afterlife. The Shan community referred to un-tattooed men as immature. Although tattooing was not commercial in the past, it has now become commercialized.

Presently, tattooing is advancing in that it is changing from a generally legitimated to partially legitimated. This is a transition from craft like procedure to art form. The materials required for tattooing are readily available to anyone, which is the reason why it is characterized by decentralization, minimal interaction, and local competition. Although tattooing is secretive and competitive, levels of technical knowhow vary widely. Professional tattooists are mostly concerned with attending to the needs of a customer.

In spite of the low demand for tattoos, the practice continues to thrive.