They have been called body modifications and taboos, but the usual word among society is tattoos. Though the names used for them might be different, the responses they evoke hardly vary.
Despite growing up in a tattoo free household and one that is to remain forever tattoo free, I’ve found myself wanting to get some of that permanent ink etched into my skin. There’s only one big problem; according to the law, I’m too young to get one. I’m not talking about the law so much as I’m talking about the responsibility which comes with having a tattoo.
Dealing with getting an infectious disease such as HIV or Hepatitis B or C isn’t the only problem a tattoo could potentially bring about. I’d also have to deal with looks and stares I get from the people around me. And what about getting a job? How would a tattoo look to a potential boss?
Considering tattoos are used as gang insignia and also as identification markers in Nazi concentration camps during World War II, it is not surprising people often question someone with tattoos. We’ve all seen that person walking down the street that’s coated in tattoos and thought the worst of them.
Stores I’ve been to such as Hot Topic has employees that may have multiple piercings and dyed hair along with tattoos. Ordinarily I’d expect someone like that to be of questionable character but upon talking to them, I realize that they’re like any normal person and are actually pretty nice. Despite their odd appearance, they’ve also obviously been able to get a job.
Some of my best teachers have had tattoos. Of course it was only usually an ankle or wrist tattoo, but occasionally I would still hear the mutters of students sounding disapproving of the ink.
Even in public, if I see someone that has tattoos decorating their arms, I’ll notice the stares that they get from other people. I mean, it’s the 21st century and there are mummies from 2000 BC with tattoos on their bodies. I think it’s high time that society accepts tattoos given that they’ve been around so long.
It is not just tattoos receiving judgmental looks from people; piercings and dyed hair get as many stares if not more than a person with dyed hair. In such new times where seeing these things is almost routine, people should not be surprised to see someone with bright pink hair, pierced eyebrows or tattoos running up and down their arms.
Changes in physical appearance are seen throughout society today and societies of the past. By now, people should be more accepting of the “fresh” looks that citizens around the world desire. Whether its tattoos, dying your hair, or just getting your ears pierced, society needs to get used to seeing these changes.
