COM 3404- Discussion Post #2

In previous generations, tattooing was something done primarily by those, mostly males, in the military and only to a small extent (one or two relatively small tattoos, such as an anchor on a forearm). Also, women rarely were seen with tattoos and those were rarely visible to anyone who passed by. Today, tattooing has become a common occurrence and many people display large, ornate tattoos all over their bodies. The attitude toward these body adornments has changed dramatically. Explain:

1. To what do you attribute this change? How do age, gender, and culture relate to the perceptions and meanings we assign to tattoos?

2. In the video “Darwinian theory of beauty,” Denis Dutton states that “there are many differences among the arts, but there are also universal, cross-cultural aesthetic pleasures and values.” How would you connect Dutton’s statement to the stereotypes related to the use tattoos in your society? How does context affect the use of tattoos? What would be the effects of tattoos on interactions? Provide specific examples.

3. Your assigned textbook chapter explains the different “functions of clothing.” What function would you relate to tattoos ? Why?

Steps required for completing the discussion assignment

Support your points by making specific connections to the readings, videos, and/or recordings for the week. Specifically, include citations or statements from the video(s) and reading(s) covered in the current module.

VIDEO: https://www.ted.com/talks/denis_dutton_a_darwinian_theory_of_beauty

CH. 6 Slides attached