Tattoos and Mainstream Culture Many people have been getting tattoos lately. People of all ages have been getting them and from all different backgrounds. On a nice day in just about any public place one can spot a tattoo about every five minutes, from the business man who had a portrait of his daughter put on him to a young girl with a butterfly on her ankle and even people with extensive tattoo coverage. What is even more interesting is the rise in the number of people who are heavily tattooed and that they come from all different backgrounds. Not too long ago tattooing did not experience the popularity in mainstream culture that it does now. The question that must be asked in order to understand this fascination that popular culture has had with tattoos is why people get tattoos. There still is a lot of intolerance towards people who have tattoos especially towards people who have a lot of them but these days a tattoo here and there is not looked down as it once was. There was a time when only "low lives," were thought of as having tattoos and people who had them were dirty criminals and should not be associated with. Due to the mainstream of the world not accepting the practicing of tattoos many tattooists and their clients went into an underground state. It was not always easy for people to even find a tattoo artist even if they were brave enough to be labeled a "low life" by the majority of culture. A lot of places even banned tattooing due to the fact that they thought tattooing was morally wrong and a health risk. Tattooing was still illegal in New York City until 1993. The mystery that surrounds the art of tattooing has always created ignorant ideas from people who are misinformed. Looking back at how people perceived tattoos then and how many "normal" people have them today shows a lot about how the world has changed, specifically in mainstream society. These days one can thrown a rock and hit a tattoo shop, but why the change of heart? Why are tattoos so popular now? Holly Tuesday, a writer for "Skin & Ink" tattoo magazine and heavily tattooed person said "We all, myself included, like to think that we stand out from the crowd.
In the journal titled “To Ink or Not to Ink: The Meaning of Tattoos Among College Students”, the authors discuss how students in college feel about tattoos. They address how many people do or do not have a tattoo, the meaning behind the tattoos, and why the non-tattooed students have chosen not to get one. The students with tattoos were said to of taken time to decide what their tattoos was going to be of, where they were going to have it done, and the placement of
Society’s outlook on “what’s in” changes every day, from what’s hot to what’s not. Fads repeat themselves over time and grow to be something that everyone now loves. Tattoos are the main trending thing of this century. They were once only a symbolism for criminals, sailors, prostitutes, and bikers, but now tattooing is mainstream in today’s times. Tattoos are seen as works of arts and your body is the canvas for aspiring tattoo artist. Nowadays there is such a wide variety of tattoos with different meanings, such as, a hand print of a loved one to someone’s favorite quote or bible verse. Some tattoos don’t always have to have meaning behind it. Anyone can decorate their body simply because they want meaningless, but artsy and funny tattoos. Inking up is becoming a significant part of someone’s life whether there is a meaning behind the tattoo or not, it is a growing thing to do and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
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In today’s society a lot of tattoos are misinterpreted or judged. Mainly by those who are against them, or teenagers who use them to rebel. They are also a good way to challenge the traditional gender norms. Such as a deep and tangible commitment to alternative gender definitions, and other women use tattoos to conform mainstream forms of feminism. A classic example would be a man dressed in a doctor’s coat, and then revealed to have full sleeves and drives a Harley. Or a U.S. Marine goes to a diner and is covered from shoulders down in tattoos and gets treated like poop because individuals assume something about this Marine that is untrue by their assumptions
Americans have been continuously encouraged to support and appreciate art. People are taught to appreciate paintings from a young age. They are informed that being unique is all right. Inventiveness and self-expression are continually being supported. Then, why are people so judgmental when they see an individual with tattoos? Numerous individuals decide to cover their bodies with tattoos. In fact, Jon Kelly, states in BBC News Magazine that, “Tattoos are more popular than ever, but workers can be dismissed from or denied jobs for the reason of their body modifications.” Although people have tattoos, it does not mean they have been in a gang or are violent, and it does not infer that they are not as competent or accomplishing as an individual without a tattoo. Tattoos are not character qualities. However, individuals with tattoos may not be considered for specific occupations, just for the reason that they make decisions with their own bodies; and they may be judged.
Tattoos have been used as a form of decoration on the body of the Egyptian mummies. In fact, tattoos were viewed as a “beautifying operation” to the Typee natives and in Wales they were once a royal fad. There have been many eras to see the tattoo as a prestigious decoration. The Japanese also practiced a form of tattooing that covered their warriors in intimidating designs. But after years of beauty and prestige, what changed the views of people? What made tattoos rebellious and unprofessional?
What are tattoos and why do so many people get them? Who made them so popular? It’s not something that’s just done in America. Tattooing is a worldwide practice that dates back to ancient times. What used to be a ritual of ranking is now a common practice that people do today if you ask them why they got it, everyone would give you a different answer.
Today, tattooing is the sixth-fastest-growing retail business in the United States, and the single fastest growing demographic group seeking a tattoo is middle-class suburban women (Cartoon, 2016). To put it plainly, the specialty of tattooing no more just engages insubordinate "social freaks." Rather, you are general as prone to discover a Fortune 500 executive, Doctor, Governor and Attorney are wearing a tattoo as a punk rocker.
Tattoos and body modifications have been around for many generations. They first began in 3370 BC and were used by Europeans and Egyptians. Both tattoos and body modifications are defined as a cultural representation of self-expression and sometimes even religion. In the article “Tattoos and Piercing: Issues of Body Modification and the Workplace,” Dr. Elzweig states, “Although tattooing is not a new phenomenon, the number of people who have tattoos has increased significantly and continues to rise. Life magazine estimated in 1936 that only 10% of me American population was tattooed in whole or in part (One out of ten Americans is tattooed, 1936)” (Elweig, Peeples).
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Quotes, birds, and Chinese lettering are just a few tattoos that are seen in today’s society. Tattoo placement ranging from the wrists, feet, and back the possibility for where and what someone would want for a tattoo is endless. Tattoos are looked as ways to express yourself by either remembering a loved one, giving yourself a reminder to push forward in life, or just to get something that you really enjoy. When people get tattoos they probably don’t see anything wrong at the time, but people from a later generation than today’s can definitely disagree. Most are very un-accepting and against tattooing one’s skin. They are not the only ones who frown upon them, though; most work industries would not admit them either. A lot of businesses look down on people who have tattoos, either not allowing them to get a job or believing that they are not suitable for the position. Tattoos do not disrupt a person’s work ethics and take away one’s capability to get a job done.
Tattoos are a controversial subject in the world we live in. The kind of people that get tattoos is now varied to almost all humans regardless of race, religion, or age. What many people fail to understand or realize is how much of an effect a tattoo can have on the rest of your life. The original tattoo stereotypes have faded from what they were many years ago and yet tattoos still have a reputation as for what kind of people get tattoos. There are many reasons as to why people would get a tattoo but there are many reason why you should think before you ink. Our society and the social media today has a huge impact on the tattoo industry. Movie stars and pop singers with many tattoos are posing as role models for our generation and
Symbolism and meaning is by far one of the most important aspects of the tattoo industry. “The abstract emotions and human awareness of emotions show what really is going on in ones life (Johnson)”. For that reason tattooing is a form of self-expression, and can stand for literal interpretations. For the most part these interpretations are the conveying of spiritual meaning, or marking milestones such as life or death” (Johnson). For those who think tattooing is just for looks or put a bad judgment on it, should also realize that ones personal interest reflects upon their lives. “Many individuals get their first tattoos during adolescence or young adulthood.”(Bravermark) Due to the mainstream culture, these traditions traditionally associate with stereotypes. Stereotypes defiantly have a huge impact on life. Which leads to the next point? Whether flaunted or hidden, sought as art or brought out on a whim, the tattoo has left a huge impact on generation after generation.
In the past, tattoos were common only amongst sailors, criminals, and bikers, but recently, they have become just as commonplace with everyday people (Steed). As the number of people with tattoos continues to rise, so does the discussion of how stigmas associated with tattoos affect people regarding occupation, within gender, and within social status? Also, where did this stigma originate and how did it change throughout history? The word tattoo originates from the Tahitian word, “Tautau” (Fedorenko, 105). Bougainville, a French navigator, first introduced this word when describing the “body decorations from Tahitian natives”(Fedorenko, 105). The definition of the word stigma is, “a prick with a pointed instrument, a distinguishing mark . . . cut in to the flesh of a slave or criminal; a mark of disgrace or reproach” (Greek and Roman Tattoos). Based on this definition, it is obvious that the word stigma itself is associated with the process of tattooing and is given a poor connotation. Even the Latin word for tattooing is stigma (Greek and Roman Tattoos). Dating back to the writings of Plato, it was said that only individuals guilty of sacrilege should be tattooed and then banished from the republic (Greek and Roman Tattoos). Fast forward to current times, the amount of people getting tattooed is growing exponentially with 38% of 18-29 year olds and 32% of 30-45 year olds already having tattoos (Steed). This equates to one in five adults having at least 1 tattoo (Stevens). So, what is the reason for this boom in the tattooing industry? Tattoos are becoming the new art form, as people are beginning to use their ...
academic year, so I have to clear out all my old books that I will