Jane E. Brody

In their zeal to follow the latest body modification fads, teenagers are moving beyond the pierced ear to more unusual parts of their bodies-noses, navels, eyebrows, tongues, lips, and even genitals. In the following article for the New York Times, Associated Press writer Jane E. Brody points out that many youths do not adequately consider the potential consequences of these more extreme modifications. Body piercings sometimes result in complications such as allergies, infections, scars, and slow healing, and persons with visible piercings may be shunned or even discriminated against at school or work.

FANS OF PIERCING HAVE BEEN CREATIVE IN FINDing unusual body parts to adorn. The fads of teenagers can run from the ridiculous to the absurd: leaving shoelaces untied, sucking on pacifiers, dyeing hair five different colors, wearing pants so big they expose...