Body Modifications

I believe that body modifications such as tattoos, piercings, etc are considered negative stereotypes, where as modifications such as cosmetic plastic surgery are not because of the social norms that are within society. Cosmetic plastic surgery conforms to the dominant ideology of beauty. Cosmetic plastic surgery often makes the person look younger, thinner, etc all matching with what society identifies as 'beautiful'. Tattoos and piercings on the other hand do not follow this dominant ideology. Tattoos and piercings, etc. have a stigma against them as they are often used my marginalized groups and individuals as a form of self – identification. Tattoos and piercings are used by select groups and are not as mainstream as cosmetic plastic surgery (although tattoos are gaining in popularity). There is also a long history of oppression of tattoos and branding from colonialists to native tribes, who used tattoos, etc for religious and traditional practices. In Western society tattoos, etc were never seen in this way and often associated with inferior groups. I think this history has perpetuated through our social consciousness and has led to the continuation of the stereotypes that are present today.

Stereotypes regarding sexuality and sexual orientation in the media is rather limited and stereotypical. Media portrayals are predominantly heterosexual across the board, e.g. music, commercials, video games, TV, movies, etc. This is to connect with the majority of the audience. When homosexuality is portrayed the individuals are often very stereotypical, e.g. very effeminate, fashion conscious, etc. (e.g. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.) Media does not portray the uniqueness and variety of the homosexual community. Also I feel like homosexual men are portrayed much more often than women, I don't know of any dramas, etc out today that present lesbians and the only popular tv celebrity I know of is Ellen Degeneres. Only the two ends of the sexuality spectrum, heterosexuality and homosexuality are shown in the media. These two are most common in society, yet there is no representation of bisexuality, asexuality, etc. Media gives us a very narrow view of sexuality and often puts it in the context of heterosexuality, like the show Man Up which portrays two straight males love for one another in a nonsexual way (a bro-mance). These stereotypes are starting to change however, Torchwood a show on the BBC portrays an alien male who is gay in the human world. Jack Barrowman is the actor (he himself being gay) and he does not fit the gay stereotype. Although this show may be breaking the stereotypes, they do it in such a way that it is still acceptable in the mainstream, like the fact that Jack is an alien and not a human, so he loves many different species. This distances him from our reality and makes him nonhuman in his actions. However I think change is starting to happen all be it slowly to more accurately portray sexuality in the media.