Piercing As An Expression: Hood Piercing
For centuries, body piercing has been an integral part of many cultures and societies especially in Indian and African countries. Today, body piercing is a phenomenon that is seen prevalently in today’s young people and “alternative” lifestyles. Body piercing is also part of fashion, since jewelry is a widely used accessory. However, those more mainstream individuals also engage in body piercing. Generally, body piercing is a way in which an individual may express him or herself, much like a hairstyle, clothing, or tattoos. There are many types of body piercings, one of which, seen only in women, is the clitoral hood piercing.
Body piercing is a popular and common trend today. It is not limited to men or women, young or old. Parents have their infant daughters’ ears pierced. Businessmen have their ears pierced. Moms have pierced tongues. Almost everyone, everywhere, in any society or culture has some type of body piercing.
There are many types of body piercing and many reasons why one would get a body piercing. Sometimes, a piercing will accompany a tattoo design or will signify something meaningful. Body piercings are a major part of Indian and African cultures. For example, the Surma, a native people of southwestern Ethiopia, pierce their lower lip and stretch the opening with a plate. The larger the plate, the more attractive the woman is.
Regardless of culture, location, or social class, people express themselves in many ways. Body piercing is just one of these as we have seen the world over. Some people are covered head to toe in tattoos and body piercings. When asked “Why?” many of them answer “Because.” There is not always much more elaboration. In most cases, girls who pierce their ears (if it has not already been done by the parents when she was a baby) do so for fashion reasons. Jewelry is a popular accessory, and albeit stereotypical, women are usually into fashion.
Generally, people choose to get a piercing simply to fulfill the desire to be different. Others decide to get a body piercing as a way to “damn the man” and go against the establishment. Still yet, others engage in body piercing to fit in or be cool. Hopefully, the individual also likes the way the piercing looks. Getting a body piercing is deeply personal choice and should not be taken lightly.
Many women decide to get a hood piercing. This is a genital piercing through the clitoral hood that surrounds the clitoris. There are two types of hood piercings that are the vertical hood piercing and the horizontal hood piercing. The only difference between the two types of clitoral piercing is the direction in which the piercing is oriented. It is important to note that neither hood piercing actually goes through the clitoris.
A hood piercing has a relatively short healing time. During the healing period, sexual intercourse must be limited, if not avoided, because the risk of sexually transmitted diseases is increased because, until it fully heals, the piercing is an open wound.
When a woman is considering a hood piercing she should always fully consider what she is getting into. Many women assume that a hood piercing will greatly enhance sexual pleasure or orgasm, or provide stimulation all day long. This is simply not a proven fact. While it may occur in some women, it may not for all.