I need help with this assignment What are the biggest takeaways and lessons you've learned from the reading **Body Modification**In the Song dynasty (960–1279), foot binding likely began for aesthetic reasons, to create an impossibly small, feminine foot, considered attractive. This custom persisted until the early 20th century before the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) ended it. Manchu rulers, including the minority group Huns (Ch'ing dynasty from 1279–1368 onwards), required this practice to indicate submission to male dominance. It became widespread among the Han, the Kayan Lahwi, and others, despite the pain endured.Cutting the body is a common ritual across cultures. In Papua New Guinea, cutting the skin is a sign of manhood, much like the tattooing traditions of the Maori in New Zealand. These tattoos often bear facial decorations and symbolize life transitions. Historically, the Li women of Hainan Island, China, were tattooed for marriage. Today, some Maori still practice traditional facial markings, blending the old with the new through contemporary tattoo machines.Tattooing is widespread and historically taboo in Japan, once marking criminals or slaves. The yakuza use tattoos as a sign of membership. The United States saw a boom in body modification with tattoos among the military in WWII, with further diversification and acceptance over time.Plastic surgery is now common in Asia for facial alteration. Double eyelid surgery creates a crease for a "Western" look. Many think surgeries like this enhance attractiveness, a belief rooted in both local and foreign beauty ideals. The success of such procedures is often judged by enhancing job prospects and fitting societal norms, reflecting broader cultural pressures.*See also: Henna*Jeremy A. Murray **Body Modification**Body modification is a broad category that can include anything from foot binding to tattoos to cosmetic surgery. These alterations to the anatomy of living individuals can be undertaken for any number of reasons, whether historically included as rites of passage, aesthetics, or self-expression. Culture plays a large role in these norms, or they can be under constant reevaluation.For many, this broad definition is a good place to start, since manifestations of body modification have long histories and cultural significance. Perhaps the most well-known historical example in Asia is the Chinese tradition of foot binding. This practice began among the women in a select section of the population but grew in popularity and was widely seen as an indication of beauty and status.**Further Reading**- Kintanar, A. et al. "Mga Kuwentong Baliw, Mga Pagandahan." 2014; Holy Angel University Press.- Castrillo, R. L. "The Ornate." amaliasantos.blogspot.com: History of the Joseyeses of Tondo. Print, 2021. - Tore, Rolf T. 2016. "Remembering the Year of Gemani." www.rappler.com. Accessed March 26, 2016. For additional resources, these texts provide further insight into the cultural dynamics and historical contexts of body modification practices across different societies.

The article titled Body Modification was written by Jeremy A Murray. He is an assistant professor of Chinese history at California State University. His works include China's Lonely Revolution: The Local Communist Movement of Hainan Island, 1926-1956 /Asian Cultural Traditions co-authored with Carolyn Brown Heinz and co-edited Pop Culture in Asia and Oceania. Body modification also known as body alternation involves multiple practices like foot binding, tattooing, and body piercing as a form of making powerful statements. These alterations are symbolic representations of what a community stands for and believes in. The meaning of each practice varies with culture. The article titled body modification written by Jeremy A. Murray talks about body modification, as a cultural feature, the history of various body modification practices, and the role the practices play in perception formation. Brief of Jeremey A Murray's account.Murray explains body modification as any conscious alteration to a human body that is voluntary or as part of forceful customary practices of a specific culture. In the article, he explores unusual body modification practices from China, Myanmar, Guinea, New Zealand, and Japan from the Asian region and also mentions similar practices from the West specifically the United States, and the Western influence on these traditions. A few of them are with aesthetic intentions and a few are dangerous. A list of a few practices from these cultures is given below.a. Extreme body modification practices: include the foot-binding culture of China and the elongation of foot-binding led brass rings practiced in northern Thailand. Foot binding in Chinese culture, which began in the Song dynasty was later banned by the Manchu dynasty. Neck elongation is practiced by the Kayari Lahwi tribe in Myanmar. Both practices are performed by women.b. Ritual tattooing and cutting This practice is performed among men of Papa Guinia, the Kaningara tribe, li women of the highlands of China's Hainan island.c. Japanese culture differs from Chinese tradition in their perception of body modification. They consider practices like tattooing to be followed by criminals and slaves.d. Western tradition and its world influence.: The obsession with fair skin, and plastic surgeries conducted in the US is shown as a good example of how Western bias is influencing such practices. The logic behind Asian blepharoplasty is the same.Summarizing the analysis of Jeremy Murray's article.Key takeaways:- A clear definition, history, and diversity in the practices of body modification are provided- It is understood that body modification reflects the discriminatory framework of the community, be it towards women or the lower class.- Body modification plays an important role in studying body politics.- The practices show how the human body can be used to make a statement to the world.- Obsession with Western ideas of beauty has influenced body modification practices across the world.- Two important points that the article makes the readers think about are: a. What does it say about the individual who chooses body modification? b. What is the extent of socio-cultural pressure on individual choice?

Answered: What are the biggest takeaways and…

Social Science

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What are the biggest takeaways and lessons you've learned from the reading