University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

A class act? Social background and body modifications in Australia

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 15:35 authored by Bruce TranterBruce Tranter, Ruby GrantRuby Grant
Are we witnessing the democratisation of body modification in Australia? The prevalence and social background of body modifications is examined using national and state-level survey data from Australia. We find body modifications to be more prevalent among younger, less educated, working-class, non-conservative Australians. Women are far more likely than men are to have body piercings, although in Queensland, young women are more likely than young men to be tattooed. Important life events such as pregnancy, separating from a long-term partner or experiencing violence are also associated with body modifications. While body modifications may be on the rise, social factors still influence the uptake of body modification practices in Australia, suggesting these are socially circumscribed taste-based practices, and should not yet be described as normative.

History

Publication title

Journal of Sociology

Volume

54

Pagination

412-428

ISSN

1440-7833

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Sage

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© The Author(s) 2018

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Other culture and society not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC