There are many cultural differences in body modification in the Eastern world, because the Eastern world's views and means of self-expression are different from those of the Western world. A person's views on certain issues are often influenced by their upbringing or religious influences or lack thereof. If someone had been raised in a more conservative and strict manner, their views on body modification would certainly be different than someone who grew up in a more open-minded family unit. Self-expression is something very open and personal. Since self-expression involves a lot of feelings and emotions, a person can become very attached or dependent on how they express themselves. How people choose to express themselves can vary. Some people express themselves through painting, others by writing music, and still others by dancing. Another way people choose to express themselves is through something called body modification. Body modification, by definition, “is the deliberate modification of human anatomy or phenotype. This is often done for aesthetic purposes, sexual enhancement, rites of passage, religious beliefs, to display group membership or affiliation, to create body art, for shock value and for self-expression, among other reasons. (Web Definitions, 2014) There are many different ways to modify your body. An example of a simpler and more common body modification would be ear piercing. Ear piercing is so common these days that some even consider it a tradition to pierce their daughter's ears from a young age. It has become a staple of femininity and beauty around the world. An example of a more drastic and rare body modification...... middle of paper ......f the world is deeply rooted in tradition and spiritual views. They view these body modifications as a rite of passage in many cases and not so much for aesthetic purposes, although many of these body modifications are considered beautiful by many people and many cultures. Western society adapted some body modifications from the Eastern world, but used them mostly for aesthetic purposes. We are a society and a culture that revolves around how things look and how we perceive ourselves. When a person modifies their body in Western society, it is often for the sole purpose of changing their appearance or the appearance of something. In conclusion, this is why there are many cultural differences when it comes to body modification in the Eastern and Western world. because the points of view and modes of expression of the Eastern world are different from those of the Western world.