Managing Physical Capital through Body Modifications: the Case of Tattoos among Russian Women

The aim of the current research is to identify mechanisms, using which Russian women are able to manage their physical (bodily) capital, represented by tattoos on their bodies. The aspect of a body in economic sociology is revealed by considering it as an investment in physical capital: currently, a body is not just a part of biology but it becomes a functional and active part of society. So within the current work body is presented as an instrument of physical capital management. The initial premise was that tattoo application for Russian women may provide an access to economic, social and cultural benefits as a result of physical capital conversion. Qualitative design was used to achieve the aim of the research and the empirical base consists of 21 in-depth semi-structured interviews. As a results meanings, which are put in tattoos, were identified: meanings in act and meanings in image. Furthermore, it was established that women invest (money and time) in their physical capital via tattoo application and convert it into social, cultural, erotic and other forms of capital.