Stigma of Tattoos in Modern Times

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Modern Times

Stigma:

As a tattooed person, I can attest that stigma and prejudice are still alive and well in the new millennium, even in a "liberal outpost" like Massachusetts. Whether it's a stare, look, comment or something more serious, like denial of service or hassling from law enforcement, cultural stigma is still a factor for those seeking tattoos. Much of this is clearly rooted in the history of tattooing in the U.S. (see below) but there are other possible sources for these attitudes as well.

An interesting article in Skin Art Magazine by Kyle Burkett proposes another possible cultural root to the American and European stigma associated with tattooing that is today being challenged in a broad way. Burkett states that for centuries there has been a stigma against tattooing, buried deep within the skin of western idealists as well as and in the minds of Jews and Christians alike. He believes the stigma to be rooted in different aspects of ancient Mediterranean culture; more specifically, it finds its origin in ancient Greece and Rome. Some of the first forms of tattooing in these cultures was the branding of slaves. To be tattooed in ancient Greece meant that you were a slave and in Rome a tattooe meant that you were either a slave or a criminal (World Book 51). In light of this, Burkett's theory regarding this characterization of tattooed people as slaves and criminals, (the lowest rung on the societal ladder)prevails, and makes a great deal of sense when considering the historical roots of cultural biases today.

The change in Mediterranean religion, from paganism to Christianity, occurred over a long period of time, and many ideas and philosophies were absorbed from the ancient cultures to make the transition g...

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Gilbert, Stephen G. "Japan" Tattoo History: A Source Book. 2001. http://tattoos.com/jane/steve/japan.htm (20 October. 2001)

Gilbert, Stephen G. "Jews and Christians" Tattoo History: A Source Book. 2001. http://tattoos.com/jane/steve/judeo.htm (20 October. 2001)

Gilbert, Stephen G. "Polynesia" Tattoo History: A Source Book. 2001. http://tattoos.com/jane/steve/polynesia.htm (20 October. 2001)

Gilbert, Stephen G. "Sir Joseph Banks and the First Records of Tattooing in Tahiti and New Zealand" Tattoo History: A Source Book. 2001. http://tattoos.com/jane/steve/banks.htm (20 October. 2001)

The New Encyclopedia Britannica. Volume 3.Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. 1989.

"Sailor Tattooing" A History from A to Z. 2001. http://www.tattooarchive.com/history.html (19 October. 2001)

The World Book Encyclopedia. Volume 19. Chicago: World Book Inc. 1996

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