Central Bucks School District / Homepage



Sociology | Wiley | Body Modification, D___ Name:Step 1: Analyze video Step 2: Read overview that follows and conduct researchStep 1: National Geographic Taboo Episode—Body Modification Note: This video will contain some graphic imagery that may upset some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. 354530010795003968158763000Viewing Questions: [Answer throughout the film.] What are some of the different ways people around the world modify their bodies? You’ll hear a lot about the “long-necks” in this video; the procedures they use to achieve their standard of beauty will seem severe to many outsiders. But what other modifications do cultures make around the world? Africa? Indonesians? The West? [Answer throughout the film.] What causes women on the Thai-Burmese border (members of the Kayan people) to stretch their necks? Note: There will be several answers given throughout the film.Describe the process utilized by the “long-necks” to create the appearance of an elongated neck. Also describe how the process can negatively affect young girls:Why did one Kayan woman have her rings removed?right-46946300When do rings traditionally come off among the Kayan women?How did the woman feel when her rings were removed? How did she feel about putting them back on?Reminder: What similarly drastic body modifications do Westerners engage in?We will skip the section on the West African practice of breast flattening, which effects about one quarter of Cameroon children. Please research this in the next document if you’re curious about it—the video portion is too difficult to watch in class. If you’re watching at home, skip to minute 29:45.How many cosmetic surgeries were there in 2006? Which procedures are considered “run of the mill” for women? Which gender was more likely to go under the knife?right1968500What are your reactions to male cosmetic surgeries, and their growing prominence in America, discussed in the video?Post-Viewing Questions:Explain what you think these quotes mean: “As a species, we’re either trying to stand out or to fit in. The changes we make to our bodies don’t just define us; they define the very culture we live in. . . . One person’s improvement is another person’s deformity. Beauty is culturally in the eye of the beholder.” When it comes to body modifications in your own culture and those of others, how do you determine if they are acceptable/reasonable or unacceptable/unreasonable? Do you adopt more of an ethnocentric or cultural relativist perspective? (See definitions below.) If you don’t adopt either, explain why. Ethnocentrism is the tendency for people to judge other cultures according to their own cultural standards. It usually implies thinking one’s culture is superior to other cultures.Cultural Relativism is the view that no culture is superior to any other culture when comparing systems of morality, law, politics, etc. It's the philosophical notion that all cultural beliefs are equally valid and that truth itself is relative, depending on the cultural environment.Step 2: Body Modification Overview and ResearchBody modification is the deliberate altering of physical appearance. It has taken place in all cultures throughout time and space.Modifications can be done for cultural reasons (a rite of passage, to display group membership, affiliation, or social class, etc.), aesthetics, religious reasons, to create body art, or for self-expression. In some cultures the modification is an individual choice, while in others there are may be serious consequences for refusing to take part in the tradition. Modifications typically cause pain, though the pain inflicted can vary greatly. (Example: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) vs. ear piercing)ETHNOCENTRISM VS. CULTURAL RELATIVISMEthnocentrismCultural RelativismDefinitionThe practice of judging all other cultures by one’s own culture. Ethnocentrism is based on the assumption that one’s own way of life is superior to all others and may result in derogatory stereotypes that ridicule others. Traditionalists and conservatives are more likely to be ethnocentric, as they believe in a universal morality and that their culture does it the “right” way.The belief that the behaviors and customs of any culture must be viewed and analyzed by the culture’s own belief set, social structure, standard of beauty, etc. Cultural relativism encourages respect and understanding for cultural difference and diversity but can also result in the acceptance of [perceived] human rights violations (e.g. FGM), as most cultural relativists believe that morality is relative and depends on the culture.View Towards Body Modification of other CulturesIf one is ethnocentric, they will tend to view the customary body modifications of other cultures as inferior to those that their own culture endorses and will generally ignore the rationalizations from the given culture. If one supports cultural relativism, they will tend to view the customary body modifications of other cultures as logical or understandable, relative to the standards of each particular culture.right22606000412496021526500Body Modification Examples: Long necks (Kayan people of Burma and Northern Thailand)Breast ironing (a West African practice; prevalent today in Cameroon)Foot binding (common in China for centuries up until mid-20th century)Lip plate (common in Africa and Americas since ancient times; some African tribes continue the practice today)Human tooth sharpening (common in Africa and Americas since ancient times; some African and Asian peoples continue the practice today) Corsets (common in Europe and America until 19th century)Teeth straightening—braces (common today in the developed world)504538812914400Cosmetic plastic surgery (common today in the developed world)Tanning (common today in America)Female genital mutilation (African and Middle Eastern practice)Your Task:Choose three of the examples above and research the following:History of the practiceWhy it was/is done (cultural, religious, and/or economic reasons)The process/procedure for the modificationEffects, good and bad 50180492451100Be sure to use credible sources to ensure your information is accurateReflect on the following:What a cultural relativist vs. ethnocentrist would say about the practiceYour reaction to the practice Body Modification Example: Summary, A-DEthnocentric ViewCultural Relativist ViewYour Reaction/ViewBody Modification Example: Summary, A-DEthnocentric ViewCultural Relativist ViewYour Reaction/ViewBody Modification Example: Summary, A-DEthnocentric ViewCultural Relativist ViewYour Reaction/View ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download