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More Democrats get pierced
06/02/2007 21:29 - (SA)
Washington - Three out of four Americans who get pierced are women, twice as many Democrats get pierced than Republicans, and about one out of three young adults sport tattoos, according to a US dermatology study released on Monday.
Thirty-six percent of people aged 21-32 and another 24% of people aged 18-50 have tattoos, which among women is favoured on the ankle (27%), upper back (25%), small of the back (18%), hips and buttocks (15%).
Men prefer being tattooed on the arm (75%), shoulder (34%), legs (25%) and chest (17%), said the study by Northwestern University of Chicago professor Ann Laumann presented at the annual dermatology congress in Washington.
Seventy-two percent of people who get pierced are women, 16% of whom are Democrat, eight percent Republican and 19% Independent, said the study of 500 people aged 18-50.
Besides the ear lobe, with women outnumbering men by 49-19%, piercing is also done on the nose, eyebrow, navel and the tongue.
As for the health aspects of body staining and piercing, the study found tattooing was less risky with only 13% developing infections or other medical complications, compared to 23% for piercing.
A social breakdown of people who favour tattooing includes 58% who said they have been in prison, 37% drank too much and 38% admitted to doing drugs.
- AFP
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