The body is adorned or altered in some way in every culture. Decorating the self serves a number of purposes. According to the information provided in the text, what are these purposes? Provide an example of each

Question

Which of these purposes do you think is most important to marketers? Explain.

Answer 1

a. To separate group members from nonmembers. In our society, teens go out of their way to separate themselves from adults by selecting unique hair and clothing styles.
b. To place the individual in the social organization. These are the rites of passage.
c. To place the person in a gender category. Women using lip stick to enhance femininity.
d. To enhance sex-role identification. Women wearing high heels.
e. To indicate desired social conduct. Muslim women wearing veils for modesty and attention to religious teachings.
f. To indicate high status or rank. Wearing headdresses in tribes.
g. To provide a sense of security. Carrying a lucky charm.
Note to instructor: The second part of the questions asks for an opinion rather than a text-oriented fact. Students may pick any of the above for their selection or marketing importance, however, proper examples and justification should be made. If you would like more specifics please designate.