Body modification is performed for a large variety of reasons, including aesthetics, sexual enhancement, rites of passage, religious beliefs, to display group membership or affiliation, in remembrance of lived experience, traditional symbolism such as axis mundi and mythology, to create body art, for shock value, and as self-expression, among other reasons.[1][2]
What counts as "body modification" varies in cultures. In western cultures, the cutting or removal of one's hair is not usually considered body modification.
Body modification can be contrasted with body adornment by defining body modification as "the physical alteration of the physical body [...] can be temporary or permanent, although most are permanent and modify the body forever".[3]
Background
Some invasive procedures that modify human genitals are performed with the informed consent of the patient, using anesthesia or sterilised surgical tools[4][5] The phrase "genital mutilation" is sometimes used to describe procedures that individuals are forced to undergo: castration, male circumcision, and female genital mutilation in this way.[6] Intersex campaigners say that childhood modification of genitals of individuals with intersex conditions without their informed consent is a form of mutilation.[7]
