Aesthetic Discrimination

836 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Tattoos not allowed in workplace

Discrimination, as defined by Merriam-Webster is the practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people differently from other people or groups of people. From that definition, it is inferred that aesthetic discrimination is the discrimination of anything to do with appearance, alteration, or not. In this day and age aesthetic discrimination is more generalized into tattoos, piercings and how people wear their hair. However, with this case comes a new set of problems: discrimination against people with prominent tattoos and body alterations.
The new century brings about a new set of workers, Generation Y, also known as the Millennial Generation, comes with a plethora of body art, piercings, and hair dos that are all seen as a way of expression and identity versus being just a “phase”. "A study recently published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology indicated 24 percent of people ages 18 to 50 have at least one tattoo." (Farah) This causes a great problem in the workplace because of the way companies and workers in general are judged for having employees that openly show their tattoos and do not take out their piercings. In the up and coming age of new workers a more “liberal” work field of aesthetic discrimination should be replaced with a sense of openness and curiosity.
The root of the issue with aesthetic discrimination comes from the work place itself. Many work places have policies that involve hiding tattoos and taking out facial piercings, some workplaces, even state that they will not hire someone who has body art. “Tattoos must be discreetly and completely covered at all times. Jewelry, spacers, retainers, or plugs are not permitted in any body piercing, including non-visible piercings, while working...

... middle of paper ...

... issues not previous contemplated, and have taken their dress code policies back to the drawing board." (Hazen, Syrdahl) It seems silly to have something so trivial be controversial in the work place as a work of art on someone’s body. The controversy can stem from a few different places; people claiming to be offended by body art, or the underlying tone of religion and whether or not having body art deems someone acceptable enough to be accepted into their perspective after life. However, the people who think tattoos are degrading and are offended by them don’t realize that there are ways to cover tattoos. Many people go into job interviews and cover up their tattoos for fear of being mischaracterized; if a person has a sleeve tattoo and wears a long sleeve shirt to cover it up, the interviewer, would never be able to tell that, that person, would have a tattoo.

Show More
Related

  • Judging By The Cover By Bonny Gainley Summary

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    Parents need to share some of the blame when it comes to the issue of young adults making damaging personal choices, such as tattoos, piercing, and shocking hair styles that can have a negative impact on their future, and ability to land a job. Parents need to ensure that they are not enabling their children to make wrong personal choices by them giving the example that it is acceptable to look and act a certain way, nor send the wrong message. Parents of young adult’s need exhibit moral behavior, as well exhibit respectable personal choices themselves. In today’s generation, it is understandable that we live in a society where anything goes, nevertheless the parents cannot ignore or condone damaging personal appearance behavior their young adult children choose to

    Read More

  • Summary Of David Brooks Non Conformity Is Skin Deep

    1234 Words  | 3 Pages

    His work has also made it possible for the non-conformists to know that their attitude towards tattoos is shallow and that in the near future, they are likely to also have tattoos because the rebelliousness is growing. The manner in which people have transformed and embraced the tattoo culture is also so strong that any negative comment against tattoos will be offensive to most people in the society. Brooks work has therefore achieved its aim of enabling people to understand that they have conformed to the tattooing culture.

    Read More

  • History and Cultural Diffusion of Tattoos in America

    1065 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kosut, M. (2006). An Ironic Fad: The Commodification And Consumption Of Tattoos. The Journal of Popular Culture, 39(6), 1035-1048. Retrieved November 29, 2013, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5931.2006.00333.x

    Read More

  • 'Looks Are The Last Bastion Of Discrimination'

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    Body art and clothing choices are big components of fashion. David Kirby, author of "Inked Well" writes about how he once hated tattoos and thought they made people look unsophisticated, if you will. He met with many people who had gotten tattoos in the past and one specific person he met changed his whole reasoning as to why he thought tattoos were unnecessary. Her name was Jodie, and of all the subjects Kirby interviewed, Jodie was the most kind-hearted. Jodie, a recent self-abuser, shared with Kirby why she had spent so many long, tedious hours in the tattoo shop and her response was, "It didn't take me long to realize that getting tattooed was quite comparable to cutting myself; it was a way for me to 'bleed out' the emotional pains which I was unable to deal with otherwise.(Inked Well )" Tattooing caused Jodie to find an alternative way to release her pain. David Kirby was very much so a follower of society and by the end of his endeavor into the effects of tattooing he found he had a newfound respect for the "outsiders." Today more and more people are getting tattoos and in return they are becoming more acceptable; if discrimination towards tattooing can diminish then so can any other discriminatory

    Read More

  • Tattoos And Body Modifications

    1405 Words  | 3 Pages

    Seeing how not accepting tattoos and piercings in the workplace can cause greater problems, employers need to start accommodating for individuals of all different backgrounds. Businesses need to start focusing on the important matters such as, education, work ethic, attitude, and the willingness to do their job successfully. Anything else is just an

    Read More

  • Against Tattoos Research Paper

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tattoos have been around for as long as I can remember. They started out as brandings for slaves, but now it’s become more of a piece of art that people add to themselves. Tattoos have become very popular in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe, Japan, and North and South America. The growth in tattoo culture has seen an increase of new artists into the industry, many of whom have excellent arts training. With advancements in tattoos and the ongoing upgrade of the equipment used for tattooing, this has led to an improvement in the quality and distinct look of tattoos. It is understood to be a symbol of remembrance, love, or just a way for someone to express themselves. Since this new hobby for some has started increasing, so has the policies for companies to hire people with tattoos. As an adult, I chose to put a few tattoos on my body as a symbol of things that I really cherish. Other people in my family also have tattoos, that are visible and some that are hidden from the public by clothing or materials. In today's global marketplace, employers are taking more seriously the need to provide a work environment that welcomes employees from many different backgrounds. Bringing it closer to home, my brother has an entire sleeve on both of his arms and my mom has one tattoo on her chest. He works in the oil field and my mom has been working at Celebrating Home for almost 15 years and things are going well without the tattoo issue getting in the way. This semester plan to research why companies really don’t like to hire potential employees with tattoos, and how prospective employee are affected. I also want to dig deeper into the negative imp...

    Read More

  • Tattoos Should Be Allowed in the Workplace

    1506 Words  | 4 Pages

    In today’s world there are several occupations one may choose from once receiving an education. Whether a person wants to be a doctor, a teacher, or a business person, one should be able to use their education to gain access to that job. Getting a job is no easy task, for there are many people who are also searching for that same job. Employers will interview many people just to find the right one and often times will have many stand-out applications to evaluate. When it comes down to making a decision, something as simple as having a tattoo could ruin every hope one has of getting the job. One may ask, “why does having a tattoo ruin ones chance of getting a job?” A tattoo would ruin one’s chances at getting a job simply because it is wrongly viewed as unprofessional.

    Read More

  • Bastion Of Discrimination

    538 Words  | 2 Pages

    In addition, discrimination by appearance is really unfair to job-seekers, who do not get hired. My brother, who is Hispanic, has many visible tattoos all over his body. Each and every one of his tattoos mean something very special to him. If someone saw my brother and his tattoos, immediately, they would think he is rebellious. He is a genuine, intelligent person,

    Read More

  • Tattoos in the Workplace

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even though tattoos are becoming part of culture and socially acceptable, the negative and prejudiced attitudes towards those with body art are still present. Not all tattoos are gang related, and one must note that they have historically been a symbol of someone’s culture or religion. Other tattoos may have just a personal meaning to its owner and was not intended to be offensive. People also do not understand that a tattoo may impede them from pursuing a professional career, regardless of their qualifications. Employers realize that the need to recruit workers from different backgrounds are important in such a competitive workforce, so they provide accommodation by having reasonable dress code policies.

    Read More

  • Essay On Tattoos And Tattoos

    1191 Words  | 3 Pages

    A controversial topic today is whether or not body piercings and tattoos should be accepted by professionals working in health care. Currently, tattoos and piercings are allowed in health care as long as they are not visible. According to one of the studies, “Body piercing is defined as a piercing of the body anywhere other than the earlobes” (Westerfield). Therefore, the only visible piercings allowed are small studs in the lobes of the ears for females. The reason body piercings and tattoos are not suggested in health care is that they keep someone from looking professional as well as making them look intimidating. Not everyone sees them that way. The opposing side is that they do not affect

    Read More

  • Tattoos and Society

    1437 Words  | 3 Pages

    A persons’ image is vital when meeting someone for the first time. Our peers, employers, family, superiors, even strangers that you walk past can automatically judge someone, and imagine how they present themselves to the world. Tattoos have been predominantly linked with a rebellious attitude and pictured on out of control stereotypes such as rock starts, bikers, sailors, and disobedient teenagers who want nothing more than to hack off their parents. With a new coming of age generation and a step into a more lenient and liberal society these types of patrons still participate in body art but so do doctors, lawyers, or just the run of the mill house mom. Tattoos signify religious beliefs, cultural influence, or each individual’s sole style. Body art is no longer socially offensive, employers are more apt to hiring tatted hopeful applicants, parents are warming up to the idea of their children inking their body and no longer a stranger on the street with a tattoo is necessarily prejudged as a criminal or safety hazard. Tattoos have become more evolved over the years because they have become more of a socially accepted element of the general public.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Tattoos In Nursing

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tattooing has increased widespread from all ages, careers, and social classes (Westerfield, Stafford, Speroni, & Daniel, 2012). Tattoos’ usual meaning is “to stain the skin with colorings” (Goldstein, 2007). With the growing the populations, who have tattoos and/or body piercings in the work environment, there is requiring decision about what policies to establish forward associates a professional atmosphere. Thus, there assesses patients’ perceptions of health care workers with tattoos and/or body piercing (Westerfield, Stafford, Speroni, & Daniel, 2012).

    Read More

  • Discrimination against Women with Tattoos

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    ..., total approval of women with tattoos is still a long way off. The tattoo industry is still male dominated, even with 50% of clients being made up of females. Even though groups exist that attempt to empower tattooed women, such as The Gypsy Queens, those women who choose to alter their bodies with ink continue to face social discrimination. Thompson made an excellent point by saying that a “critical step that can be taken is for employment discrimination against tattooed people to end” and that “people should only be fired on the basis of their work performance, not their appearance.” Being a heavily tattooed woman I agree wholeheartedly. As a society we need to promote acceptance and understanding. Each person should be judged solely on their merits and capability; whether or not I choose to tattoo my body should not be a determining factor in any facet of life.

    Read More

  • Essay On Tattoos

    2351 Words  | 5 Pages

    ... no sense for a job to tell people what they can do with their body lets alone if it is not innapropiete why not? If theres no violence why not let whom ever wants tattoos to go ahead and get it with out telling them they cant be hired or they will be fired. I hope that in a couple of years from now more jobs will see eye to eye with me that having tattoos doesnt make u a bad person it makes you different it shows can tell so much about a person and there are so many rich people that do have tattoos. Some people dont get tattoos because of their parents but whatever there reason i stand by each and every person that deiceds to put body art on themselves. some people dont see tattoos as art but yet if it wasnt then why do tattoo ARTIST charge from 100+ at a professional shop. One day i beileve people will no longer think that theres has to be restrictions to tattoos.

    Read More

  • Looks, Beauty, & Appearance Discrimination in Employment

    1305 Words  | 3 Pages

    Employment discrimination legislation has evolved to include race, disabilities, sexual harassment of either gender, and age. In lieu of this evolution and an increasing trend toward equality for all individuals in the workplace, the time has come for the protective reach of employment discrimination law to cover ugliness. While the proposal may cause titters at first, evidence exists that discrimination based on looks (or physical appearance) occurs in the workplace. An investigation was conducted by ABC’s 20/20 news program in 1994 that sent two men and two women into the workplace to secure the same jobs (Sessions 1). The individuals were coached to act in a similar manner during the interviews and took with them resumes with matching education and experience. The only difference was that one of the men and one of the women was superior in physical attraction to their counterpart. The results demonstrate whether intentional or not, looks discrimination does play a role in the employment process “In five cases out of five, the more attractive woman got the job; in three chances out of three, the more attractive man was hired” (Sessions 1).

    Read More

More about Aesthetic Discrimination

Open Document