Tattooing is a totally different subject, of course. 'Cutting' is not meant to be decorative. My own suspicion is that it is designed to make the person feel alive, i.e., if I can feel pain, I must be alive. But my opinion may be simplistic.

Has anyone done research on cutting? How far back does it go? I had never heard of it until a few years ago- about the same time as new blue jeans were cut to make them appear old. I don't suppose there is a correlation.

But it is a heart breaking phenomenon. Perhaps it is just another thing that relates to 'future shock'. Has anyone read Alvin Toffler lately?