Why the modern man or woman stretches their ears
I have always been intrigued by the social behaviors of humans. I love people watching. Sometimes it gets me wondering why people choose to express themselves in certain ways. The question today is, "Why do people stretch their ears?" The following is meant to refer to society as a whole. (I know there are many varied reasons why an individual may want to stretch their ears.)
History has shown us that ear stretching was initially used to show that an individual belonged to a group or a tribe. It was accepted by the group and they were marked as being "one of us". When someone did not have stretched ears they were considered to be an outsider or someone who did not belong to the tribe.
The Modern Day Ear Stretcher
Fast forward to the modern day practice of ear stretching and you will see quite the opposite. People seem to be trying to break out of the mold and express their individuality. Maybe they want to steer away from their current "Tribe" and join a new "Tribe" that better understands their beliefs and ideas. It seems that the individual is expressing who they are or want to become. The person who was once accepted as part of the tribe is now shown to be the "weird one" or "outcast."
20 - 30 years ago ear stretching your ears seemed to be very different from what it is today. Body modifications like stretched ears were rarely seen (except in traditional tribes). In the Western culture they were mostly seen in groups like punks or goths. Nowadays it continues to be on the rise. Ear stretching is growing in popularity with both men and women and it does not seem to be confined to any one type of group. It is truly an artistic accessory to add to the look or style of each individual.
The point of no return
There is a point in stretching your ears that is known as the "point of no return." In a lot of cases, when the ear is stretched above 10mm (00 gauge for ears), it is not able to properly heal and will never go back to what it was before. Below this "point of no return" seems to be what is more accepted these days. This was not the case in the 80's or 90's.
It seems that the higher the ear is stretched past the 10mm mark (00 gauge for ears), the more one might receive judgmental looks or opinionated remarks. Comments like "That is disgusting.", "Can I stick my finger through your hole?", or "Didn't that hurt?" If you have stretched ears, these comments and questions are all too familiar. It's just the way our society is. Perhaps in another 10-20 years it will be a nonissue.
The New Tribe
No matter for what reasons people decide to stretch their ears, one thing is for sure. The art's popularity is growing. The New Modern Era Ear Stretching "Tribe" is growing. The tribe is expanding around the world and immensely diverse individuals are finding common ground through the art of ear stretching.
What's Your Story?
I am taking a survey to hear your story. Please comment below and tell me your story of why you stretch your ears.
86 comments
I started when I was a freshman in high school and got my ears pierced for the first time. At that time in my life I was part of the “scene kid” group, if you know what I mean by that. And also I was never the type to like girly things all too much. So through out high school I stretched my ears. By the time I graduated I was at 1". Currently I am at 1 1/2". Some girls have a obsession with buying purses or shoes, mine is organic stone plugs. And it’s always a big conversation starter when I’m out in public or work. People get curious and ask questions sometimes. Keep on stretching my friends!
It started by sheer happenstance. I had my first lobes pierced at 7, then again at 13 after I found out I was allergic to gold. I had hoops that I wore constantly and one day they just pushed through. I wore them through high school but never could go past a 10. I got my second lobe piercings at 16 and began stretching them. I have made my way to a 0 and love them. My parents still don’t understand the reason why I do it but I just love how they look. For the longest time I had to barrow plugs or buy them myself when I was on field trips at school. It wasn’t until college when I finally reached a 0.
I have always been annoyed when people ask “what if they never stretch back?” "What about when you’re old? Or my favorite “does the wind whistle when it blows through your ear?” I don’t know people worry so much about what other people look like or do to themselves.
My niece is 5 and loves taking my plugs out and looking through my ear. She always says “I’m gonna be like my Auntie.” I want her to be able to express her individually in any way she wants.
Hi, I stretched my ears starting all the way back in elementary school. I would were these hot pink hoops, and one day I pushed them into my ear past the post, and that was the beginning. I had really small gauges at first. It wasnt until middle school that I really started stretching. But my reasoning was simple. I just didnt like earrings. I mean I did, I loved them, but they hurt. The post against my skin, hurt. And I didnt like that. So when I got the hoop through my ear lobe it was like I entered a new world of opportunites.
So through middle school I stretched from an 18g to an 8g. I skipped sizes, which is not recommended. But honestly I didnt know what I was doing I just did it. I didnt do research and I wish I would have now, but its not a big deal. My lobe holes just arent “round and perfect”.
Into high school I stretched from an 8g to a 00g. Again I skipped sizes and used multiple tapers to make the size of whatever I needed at the time. I actually used a pair of stainless steel iredecent fake diamond plugs to stretch to 00g. It was Prom and they were my Prom Plugs. It was my Sophmore year in high school. I have been graduated for 2 years now, and still have my 00g spiral plugs. They are my favorite. They’re like hoops just more fun in my opinion. I have considered stretching my 2nd and 3rd lobe holes because I can’t stand earrings. I just havent gotten them done yet because if I do I am getting them pierced professionally, and stretching the proper way.
I went through a lot of family problems and got into self harm to get relief. When I had a friend come along he introduced me to it and I decided I wanted to try it asap. I made my own out of wood, sanded down and everything I had no money but I really wanted it. It(and tattoos) helped me to completely stop self harm because they caused me pain. I’m 18 now with 00 and I feel more sophisticated with them and I love grossing people out with them and I love being the wolf out of all the sheep in my family
I used stretching my ears as a way to “fit in”. I didn’t want to be like other people, I wanted to be me. That’s the point of all body modification is to express who you really are I believe. Tattoos, piercings, or even dying your hair; It’s self expression.