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Tattoos in society
Perceptions of tattoos essay
Tattoos in society
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It was not too long ago that I got my first tattoo. I wanted a tattoo for so long and when my eighteenth birthday came around I was finally allowed to get one. I remember how excited I was to have one and show it off. I thought to myself this tattoo is now a part of me, it expresses my individuality, and I was proud of it. I would show my tattoo off whenever I could and all the reactions from family, friends, even complete strangers were positive. I realized how fortunate I was to have a tattoo in this day and age because positive views and acceptance of this modification have not always been common in the society we live in. In the past, America has had negative views about tattoos, and the change from what tattoos meant and were used for in the past to what they are today did not happen over night. A couple decades ago having a tattoo could have put me into categories like unitelligent, criminal, or freak. People wouldn't care to get to know me, I would be in freak shows and circuses with the other tattooed people, and the American society wouldn't see my tattoo as a form of expression or originality. Luckily in recent years tattoos have seen an increase in popularity. Today, tattoos are becoming more mainstream and more is being done to show tattooed and non-tattooed people are no different than one another. Tattoos should no longer be seen as something negative, and that those with tattoos are different or rebellious and irresponsible. Instead tattoos should be looked at artistically and seen as something creative and positive. The positive views and increased popularity of tattoos in American society today are because of influences from popular tattoo tv shows and celebrities, and changes in the workforce allowing more peop... ... middle of paper ... ...0s and 60s caused women to be noticeably absent from the tattoo scene” (Random History 2008). This gap during the 50s and 60s, when women could not get tattoos or it was frowned upon for them to have one, has caused women with tattoos today to be viewed more negative than their male conterparts, especially in the workforce. The workforce in the past has always had a strong stance about not hiring people with tattoos. While there are many reasons as to why tattoos are popular, the main reason consists of the increase in media attention, and changes in the workforce allowing more people with tattoos to be employed. Decades ago tattoos were considered bad, as they portrayed rebels and outcasts; however, the truth is that tattoos are a social trend today and there many reasons such as expression, memorials, and sense of individuality for why people tattoo themselves.
The social atmosphere surrounding tattoos has changed drastically since the 1960’s when Collins was tattooing sailors and roughnecks in his backstreet tattoo shop. Tattoos in general have become more socially acceptable with the old saying of “everyone from soccer moms to doctors has tattoos.” While they still have a ways to go before being completely accepted in the public’s eye, I feel privileged to live in a time when becoming a tattoo artist doesn’t automatically make me an outsider.
...norms is tattoos. Today, it is normal that most young adults have tattoos or body piercings. In Kang and Jones article, “Why Do People Get Tattoos?”, 15% of young adults in 2003 had tattoos (42). It is a form of self-expression and art, and a way for young people to find their independence (42). Men and women have different norms at to what tattoos they get. Men tend to get more masculine tattoos, while women tend to get more feminine ones (44). Even though it is seen as normal to get a tattoo today, most employers still have a problem with them. Most employers want their employees who are tattooed to cover them up so they are not visible on the job (46). Others view people with tattoos to be stupid and trouble makers (46). Tattoos as a social norm, proves that in some cases they are acceptable and in other cases, they still cause problems like stereotyping.
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.
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
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.
Tattoos have been around for quite some time now, and they have always been a symbol of belonging, cultural expression or for religion. These days, individuals choose to tattoo themselves because it is part of their lifestyle or personal image. While continuing to grow in popularity and becoming a lifestyle, people are facing issues with having visible tattoos in the workforce. Although it is a form of free expression, employers have a right to enforce certain rules about tattoos in their company because they have a public image to uphold. How you present yourself to the public is solely important, which is why tattoos should not be allowed to be seen in the workplace, since it may appear offensive or unconservative.
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
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.
Our society judges each other but does not like to be judged. There is a saying never judge a book by it’s cover,however the saying refers not only to books but towards people how are you going to judge someone without knowing them. Tattoos to some people are ugly or not necessary. People who get the tattoos decides on what to do to their body,and know the outcomes on what can happen after getting a tattoo. People need to know what diseases can be caused due to a tattoo.
Tattoos are becoming more and more popular in our society. This particular art form was once reserved for people that were deemed undesirable or lower class. In contrast to that, it was also common for people who served in the military. However, we as a culture have shifted and it’s no longer unusual for someone to have a tattoo. The reasons why people get tattooed are as varied as the artistic work itself.
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.
Being more and more accepted in the work place. “While some employers cringe at bodywork and piercings, others are embracing it,” (Icon 1). More professions are allowing employees to have tattoos. Although tattoos are mainly perceived as unprofessional people still should feel the freedom to get tattoos and not worry about not getting a job. Jobs have come to realize that tattoos are getting more common and they are becoming more
... 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.
..., 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.