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Israeli Youth Body Adornments

Between Protest and Conformity

Tel-Aviv University, Israel

Diana Luzzatto

Tel-Aviv University, Israel

The symbolic meaning of the phenomenon of tattoos and piercing among Israeli youth is assessed. Results show a multifaceted language of body adornments, the properties of which might be specific to Israeli culture. While in family and peer group contexts youth show significant conformity, body adornments within the context of institutions displaying characteristics of totality indicate limited protest. Thus different symbolic meanings are stressed depending on context, expressing an oscillation between conformity and protest.

Key Words: body adornments • conformity • familism • liminality • peer group • protest • total institutions • youth subculture

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