Newsflash to all parents: tattoos aren’t the devil and they aren’t going to lead to any “harder” addictions. Look around you. Whatever public place you’re in, there’s a high chance that most of the people there have at least one tattoo. I’m guessing there’s an even higher chance that those who have at least one tattoo have more than one tattoo. I’ll admit it’s because getting tattoos is addicting. I, at 21-years-old, have eight tattoos and plan on getting more. It’s just a fact of life at this point.
What my parents [and many more parents out there, I’m sure] don't seem to understand is that I like getting tattoos. I like having tattoos. I like what each of my tattoos represents. I just plain like them.
I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do any sort of drug – shouldn’t that be the focus of their attention? Apparently not. Every time I get new ink now, it becomes a huge thing and blows up right in my face. I just got a new tattoo in October and my mother made a stink about it.
There it was for the millionth time: “I just don't want you marring up your skin and getting a bad reputation.” The first part I get. The second part, though? I don't think it’s possible to get a bad reputation from tattoos like stars and hearts (I have three star tattoos and two hearts, along with a few other tattoos that are just as G-rated). It's not like I'm going to go out and get a huge middle finger tattooed anywhere.
I understand that back in my mother’s day, tattoos just weren’t OK. However, times have changed. I even find myself getting compliments on my tattoos from women almost twice my mother’s age. Complete strangers can find the beauty in my artwork and self-expression, but all my mother sees is permanent ink on her daughter’s skin. It kills me to know she’ll never accept my tattoos or like that I have them, but I’m going to keep getting them. I wish she’d take up my father’s mantra and let me do what I want to do to my body. If I start doing heroin, then I’ll listen to her and “stop ruining my life.” Until then, my mother and I will just have to agree to disagree - if we can even come to an agreement about that.
I agree, while i do not have a tattoo myself, my mom pretty much told me never to get one. Let's face it, I am going to get one if I decide on what to get exactly. I actually have a friend that i have known since elementary school who has piercings all around her ears, eyebrows and has a total of four tattoos. Sounds like a wild individual to the older generation, but she is the most rule abiding person I know. So even though some parents see tattoos as marking a "bad" person, I think if you decide to use this as a way of expression then you should do so because judging a person because of tattoos is not anything to go by.
ReplyDeleteI agree in that tattoos are form of expression. My best friends brother died while serving for our country In Iraq. In rememberance of his brother, my best friend got his brothers name tattooed across his back. I have a tattoo as well on my back. When my mother found out she was very upset with me. I feel like Tattoos carry a negative stereotype with them. If a person has a tattoo they are looked at in a negative way. I am not sure why they carry this negative impresssion with them but they just do. Tattoos are a way of people to express something and if a person wants to do that, then that is their wish. Parents need to stop making judgements on tattoos.
ReplyDeleteYes, tattoos and excessive piercings carry a negative stereotype for parents. Back then, only convicts, sailors, bikers, prostitutes, and other unsavory lower class types had them.
ReplyDeleteThe current generation's glorification of primitive or tribal body modification is a fashion trend, same as your parents had a fashion trend glorifying long hair, which your grandparents felt contributed to ruined lives.
The difference, of course, is that long hair can be cut when you decide to join the mainstream. Body piercings and visible tattoos, not so easy to camouflage. And have you considered what they will look like in 30 years, when your body turns into the sort of body your parents have now?