Body art, deviance, and American college students

Bibliographic Data

ID12007827
AuthorsJerome R Koch (Texas Tech University, corresponding author), Alden E Roberts (0000-0001-5827-8521, Texas Tech University), Myrna L Armstrong (0000-0002-4756-8168, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center), Donna C Owens (0000-0001-9644-0972, Texas Tech University), Donna C Owen (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center)
Year2009
Volume47
Issue1
Pages151-161
Publication date2009-12-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Social Science Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0362-3319 • E-ISSN: 1873-5355
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1016/j.soscij.2009.10.001
OpenAlexW2038296317
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited30

This research examines the relationship between body art (tattoos and piercings) and deviance. With the increasing mainstream presence of visible tattoos and piercings among entertainers, athletes, and even in corporate boardrooms, we wonder the extent to which long-time enthusiasts and collectors regard the phenomenon as encroachment. We use sub-cultural identity theory to propose that individuals with increasing evidence of body art procurement will also report higher levels of deviant behavior in order to maintain and/or increase social distance from the mainstream. We tested this proposition by surveying 1753 American college students, asking them to report their level of body art acquisition and their history of deviance. Results indicate that respondents with four or more tattoos, seven or more body piercings, or piercings located in their nipples or genitals, were substantively and significantly more likely to report regular marijuana use, occasional use of other illegal drugs, and a history of being arrested for a crime. Less pronounced, but still significant in many cases, was an increased propensity for those with higher incidence of body art to cheat on college work, binge drink, and report having had multiple sex partners in the course of their lifetime

Aesthetics · Art · Body piercing · Criminology · Deviance (statistics · Mainstream · Political science · Sociology · Wonder · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Law · Psychology · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology · Tattoo and Body Piercing Complications

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub