Journal Article

Tattooing and Civilizing Processes: Body Modification as Self-control

ATKINSON, MICHAEL

2004

Overview

Malgré la révolution en cours dans le tatouage en Amérique du Nord, les universitaires restent attachés à l'idée que les « fanatiques du tatouage » seraient des inadaptés sociaux. Dans cet article, des données obtenues au cours d'une observation participante de trois ans parmi des fanatiques du tatouage au Canada ouvrent la porte à une critique des interprétations psycho‐sociales privilégiées du tatouage comme étant une conduite irrationnelle, impliquant des risques (voir Carroll et coll., 2002; Roberts et Ryan, 2002). À la lumière de la sociologie figurationnelle (Elias, 1983; 1994; 1996), le tatouage est ici vu comme un acte de communication à caractère sociable et régi affectivement plutôt que comme un cas pathologique d'automutilation. Despite the ongoing revolution in the use of tattoos in North America, academic understandings of tattooing remain grounded in conceptions of “tattoo enthusiasts” as social misfits. In this paper, data from three years of participant observation with tattoo enthusiasts in Canada help critique preferred social‐psychological interpretations of tattooing as irrational, “risk‐taking behaviour” (see Carroll et al., 2002; Roberts and Ryan, 2002). Through the lens of figurational sociology (Elias, 1983; 1994; 1996), tattooing is interpreted in this paper as a pro‐social and affectively regulated act of communication, rather than a pathological instance of self‐injury.

• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd,Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association,Canadian Sociological Association,Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association, c/o Concordia University Department of Sociology and Anthropology
• Subject: Alberta / Analysis / Behavior / Body / Body Modification / Body shape / Canada / Capital formation / Civilization - history / Civilizing Process / Communication / Conformity / Cosmetic surgery / Courts / Cultural anthropology / Dieting / Division of labor / Emotions / Enthusiasts / Figuration sociology / General studies / Habits / Habitus / History, 20th Century / Human Body / Identity / Interpersonal communication / Monopolies / Narratives / North America / Participant observation / Physical attractiveness / Risk / Risk behavior / Risk taking / Self / Self Concept / Self Control / Self destructive behavior / Self injury / Social acceptance / Social capital / Social interaction / Social life & customs / Social organization. Social system. Social structure / Social power / Social relations / Sociology / Sociology - history / Surgery / Tattooing / Tattooing - history / Tattoos / Toronto, Ontario / Work