Male Piercing

Male body piercing previously considered completely taboo, is increasing as a cultural and social phenomenon in the Western world.  The practice was previously frowned upon and those sporting piercings were often victims of discrimination.  The practice allows the individual to exhibit his uniqueness and personality through the choice of jewelry and location of the piercing.  One may choose almost any location on the body to pierce such as the earlobe, nose, eyebrow, navel, or penis.  Many times, such piercings accompany and complement existing tattoo designs.  Professional piercing artists and technicians draw influences from several cultures while impressing on their work personal preference.

Today, body piercing and tattooing is not reserved for small indigenous tribes but is also a popular trend among society’s hippest.    It is not uncommon to walk down the street to see evidence of both female and male body piercing.  Some instances of body piercing is rather subdued while others are quite radical.

While not for everyone, male body piercing is more common today than it has been in the last twenty years or so.  Some men still choose to pierce just one earlobe, but it is very common to see both earlobes pierced one or more times each.  Small hoops rather than studs are seen more and more in the ears.

In fact, male body piercing has progressed beyond just the earlobes that were so common for so long.  Nowadays, men tend to pierce the nose in several locations, eyebrows, septum, lips, tongue, nipples, navels, and the penis.  Sometimes, a body piercing will accompany a tattoo to complement and expand on the already existing tattoo design. 

The body piercing styles that one sees today ranges from culture to culture.  Although typically body piercing is drawn on African and Indian cultures, where this phenomenon is still a commonality, piercing technicians and artists are now drawing upon more urban influences and art in their implementation. 

Female and male body piercing is commonly seen in those individuals that engage in the “punk rock” or an alternative lifestyle.  In other words, in most Western societies, while leaning toward the stereotypical, one will see body piercing more commonly in those people that work in the music and entertainment industry rather than those practicing medicine or law.  However, since the trend is on the uprise, it is not uncommon to see male body piercing in gentlemen of all ages, sizes, and professions.

Some male body piercing has progressed beyond the simple needle holes to enlarged openings in the earlobes.  Larger and larger, more tribal looking pieces of jewelry are very popular.  The method for enlarging an existing piercing to accommodate thicker jewelry is to stretch the piercing over time by inserting slightly higher gauged jewelry items called spacers into the opening.  Over a period of time, the piercing will be stretched to the desired size.  Often, spacers are designed to appear as though they are the normal jewelry but serve a dual purpose.

Up until a few decades ago, male body piercing was considered taboo.  The practice was commonly associated with distasteful and unconventional social behavior.  Male body piercing, including the earlobes was also associated with sexuality; depending on which ear the earring was placed.  For example, the saying, “Right is wrong” alludes to any male with an earring in the right ear is gay.  In many Western societies, it is still frowned upon and those sporting a piercing or two are often victims of discrimination based on their appearance, however, society is loosening its reigns and male body piercing is becoming somewhat more widely accepted.