If you lived in a time of slavery or indentured servitude, and in a nation with no upward mobility to improve one's station in Life; best to hope for would be a Master who treated you relatively well. Being granted Freedom basically meant that although you were technically able to do your own thing, you no longer had a roof over your head or daily meals. Realistically, end up starving in the streets. Or, get caught stealing food and face horrendous punishment for having done so. No wonder many would often beg their Masters not to get rid of them.Actually, body piercing came from Exodus 21:1-6 of the Bible. Indentured servants/slaves who chose to stay with a good master by choice for life instead of being set free had their ear pierced as a sign that he was owned for life. Back then, indentured servitude was the employer/employee relationship of the time. If you found a good job with a boss that treated you right, you sealed the deal with an ear piercing.