my orginal comment had more to do with science, and the way in which we view ourselves as god like, "you cant do that kind of research in relationship to humans its unholy"

as far as the ability to choose your social identity:

1. You can only to a very limited degree, the apperance of the group may change (goth, prep whatever see the fluid nature above) but the individuals that make up that group will be the same. They will share simliar traits, econmic position ect.

2. Body modification is human advertising if I dress goth I am letting other goths no I am part of there social group. It is not an attempt to break from the social norm, it is however in attempt to join a social group

3. "it is the choice of the indivdual live up to those standards" this is a blindly idelistic thing to say. What is the one thing a social animal fears the most?