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.
It is assumed that almost every American has a tattoo, regardless of their profession. This social trend has been accepted and embraced by many people in society to an extent that anyone who makes an offensive comment about tattoos can cause an offense.
Tattoos have been utilized in various ways for thousands of years, ranging from punishment, to status symbols and indications of religious beliefs. They have served as the ultimate illustration of cultural diffusion in America, and despite generally carrying a negative social stigma, perception of tattoos has continued to evolve into a more acceptable practice.
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
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The reasons why people get tattoos are infinite. A 2012 study in BBC magazine states, “Personality differences between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals were ‘generally small’ although those with tattoos tended to be more extroverted and display a greater "need for uniqueness” (Kelly). From trivial things like an infinity sign to a large portrait on an arm, the options are endless to those who want to express themselves freely. Why should the freedom to express one’s self be taken away? The excitement and rush that fills their body when they know they are getting something to represent who they are should not be taken away for the simple fact of not being able to land a job. Many may become discouraged thinking about the future and if or if not a job will hire based ...
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.
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
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.
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.
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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.
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