Although Mrs. Kramer actually mentioned tattoos as a paradigm shift in class, I like the idea of writing about it.
20 years ago, tattoos were designated primarily for outcasts and were commonly associated with jailbirds.Tattoos, the artistry of the rebel or the badass, made people wary of those who had them.
Since then, tattoos have become dramatically more popular as both fashion statements and expressions of self.
I was asked yesterday, because it was my birthday, if I would “finally be getting a tattoo” now that I’m 18. This type of inquiry indicates how tattoos have become a rite of passage and provides an intriguing contrast with their history.
Overall, a strong essay could be written about how the decision to “get inked” reflects our generation’s need to express itself. I read a lot about the importance of ‘being yourself’ and making the world see and appreciate us for our identities. It needs developing.
I prefer my second idea, wherein I would like to remark on the evolution of women’s brassiere styles, and write an essay about how they reflect changing views about women’s bodies over time.
I suppose I would begin my essay in the 1950’s, with the cone bra, and discuss how this bra disguised the true shape of the female breast, and what that meant. I was also going to analyze women’s bra styles through the 1960’s and 1970’s, wherein bras were designed to appear flat chested, and so on until the present, where it’s really hard to find a bra that isn’t padded like crazy, but also isn’t granny beige.
As I thought more critically about this topic, I found more information about the gradual sexualization of the female chest over time, and how it has led to tension about breastfeeding in public and “freeing the nipple.”
It’s easier to support the paradigm shift in bra fashion using actual advertisements and product lines as proof. Furthermore, there have been many studies done on the way society portrays women and their bodies in the media that I could draw on as sources.
I think the idea of tattoos coming from you would bring a newer feel to the topic, that is a shift many people have noticed but few have talked in depth about. The concept of the bra is something new to my ear, I guess coming from a males perspective I never really needed knowledge of those things lol but that should be fun to hear about.
ReplyDeleteYou have two really strong topics here.Both topic shave such a rich history that it wouldn't be hard to talk about or write an essay about, but the first topic I personally believe, would be more interesting.Tattoos have become so widespread and common in recent years, when in the past it was mostly a taboo and richly linked linked to military members.I would love to hear about your opinion on the change and how the perception of tattoos has shifted from the past.
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