Tattooing for various reasons

A tattoo used to be a therapeutic session. A remedy. A means of stature. A mark of evil deity. A stamp of a sailor, criminal or gang member. But, has a tattoo ever been given just because?

Tattoos are widening in demographics, and are on the rise in the United States, but to many young people a tattoo is simply a means of expression.

“I think a lot of people get them just to say they have one. They don’t have any meaning to them,” said Jessica Baker, a freshman community health major.

Whatever the reason, tattoos are a growing trend among Americans. The Journal of the American Society of Dermatology found that in 2006, 36 percent of Americans 18 to 29 years old have at least one tattoo.

“It’s more socially acceptable and it’s not looked down upon anymore,” Justin Brown, a junior criminal justice major, said.
Tattoos have evolved over time. Egyptians show the earliest evidence of tattooing thousands of years ago. It was purely a female practice used to indicate prostitutes or to protect women from sexually transmitted diseases. Other cultures used tattooing for therapeutic and medical reasons.

But as time went on, tattooing gained a negative image.

Around A.D. 306-373, the Christian beliefs were that tattoos “disfigured that made to God’s image,” according to Smithsonian Magazine. Sailors, criminals and eventually gang members were known to have tattoos.

Though it is socially acceptable for colleges and young people, tattoos still have a negative impression in some places. They are not appropriate for some workplaces.

“I try to position my tattoos in a place that I know people wouldn’t see them at my workplace,” Gordon Gillis, a junior biology major, said. “I doubt anyone wants to see a tatted up vet working on their dog.”

Criminal justice sophomore, Eric Whitlock, said his tattoo will have a positive effect on his career choice.

Whitlock lost his best friend as a sophomore in high school.
“He was two times my size (and) a sophomore going straight to the pros. After he died my brother (and I) made a dedication that we would live our football career through him,” Whitlock said.

Whitlock’s tattoo is an opportunity to share his dreams of becoming a football player.

“I can minister to people about my tattoos,” he said.
Some people have a positive effect and some people have a negative effect.

Whitlock’s tattoo is self-motivation because it helps him “push hard for the pros.”

Conversely, 17 percent of people with tattoos considered getting it removed, according to CNN.com in 2004. According to Vanishingtattoo.com, 12 percent of those people regretted their tattoo because of the way it looked and 11 percent said it was stupid.

Those that enjoyed their tattoo experience seem to be “addicted” to the artwork.

“Tattooing is addictive to some,” said tattoo artist, Thomas, of Wayne Street Tattoo Company. “Some have a negative image after their first one.”

Tattoos need special precautions and lots of thought. Remember, tattoos generally remain on the body forever and there are health risks. A tattoo artist’s particular style and the cleanliness of the shop and tools are very important.

“Pay attention to the portfolios and don’t go for the flash on the walls,” Thomas said.

Today, the primary function for tattoos is for people to express themselves. It shows who they are or expresses a tender memory.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 3 2008. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry