Or have earlobes always been stretched just for decoration, or have there been other more occult reasons for this practice. It certainly appears that in regions of Africa, South America and Asia, earlobe stretching has been a tribal practice, and that stretched earlobes were not always just a sign of affiliation to a specific tribe or religion, but also of power or supremacy.

The practice may also have been associated with quasi-religious beliefs, and a necessity to stretch ones earlobes in order to conform to the social and religious practices of the day. In other words, it was expected of people, whatever the reason, and that might also be a driving force for those seeking ear stretching today.

The Influence of Tattooing

Another reason for the increase in the popularity of stretched earlobes is the way that tattooing has now become ubiquitous among young people today, with most having a tattoo somewhere, and many sporting half or full 'sleeves. Tattooing was something originally done by westerners who traveled the world - in other words, sailors, who were exposed to this form of bodily decoration.

However, it became popular among the aristocracy during the 19th and early 20 the centuries, and then commonplace with young people as a means of bodily adornment until everybody that wanted it was having a tattoo anywhere on their body. It is no longer a visible sign of being different or 'modern', and neither are ordinary piercings, even of the tragus, septum, eyebrow or lips which are also commonplace in the 21st century.

Stretched Earlobes - A Matter of Degree

Today, ear stretching can be used as a fashion statement more than any simple piercing or tattoo, and stretched earlobes are another step onwards from the traditional ear piercing that extended into multiple piercings and then piercings of other parts of the body. One aspect of earlobe stretching is that it can be carried out in degrees.

That means that while one person may have a 4 gauge stretching at around 5 mm, another can have a 00 gauge at just over 10 mm. So it is not just 'I have a pierced earlobe and so have you', but I have stretched ears and 'Mine is larger than yours'.

It is no longer being a 'dedicated follower of fashion' but by how much! Stretched earlobes are popular not only because they display a willingness to adopt this new fashion trend, but that it can be adopted to degrees. In fact, the highest gauge is 20 g at 0.81 mm while the lowest is 00g at 10.4 mm.