WHY DO PEOPLE GET TATTOOS ?
If anyone can answer this perplexing question, I would like to hear it. Tattoos are so distressing to me that I can't imagine why any young person, with beautiful skin, would allow themselves to be disfigured forever. I can suppose that a teenager in a spirit of rebellion would do this on a whim, but don't they realize it will NEVER GO AWAY?
Someone told me once their theory - the potential tattooee saw no future for themselves. They knew instinctively that they were always going to be a member of a sub-culture and so the tattoo was a "what the hell" gesture. This is perfectly understandable, but things change in upwardly mobile America and maybe someday they won't want to be marked with a large dragon on their upper arm, or, God help us, on their neck.
And as for girls, I don't know what to say. A little rose, like Bette Midler, perhaps. But no more. Help me here - why do young people get tattoos?
Labels: Why Tattoos?
posted by shirley @ 7:09 AM
24 Comments
24 Comments:
I'm a 64 year old elderblogger and two years ago I got a tattoo. I agree with you that large tattoos on the body stigmatize. I work at a law firm. Obviously, if I appeared at the office one day sporting a large tattoo painted down my arm, I wouldn't be working there for long.
But people usually have a reason for getting their tattoo. Many times they want to remember a person, or a place, etc. and they want to remember "forever."
My tattoo is on the inside of my ankle where I can look at it and admire it. Other people rarely see it because I wear pants to work. But the fact is, there was a reason why I got the tattoo and every time I look at it, my bluebird of happiness, it makes me feel good.
And why do people get body piercings - that has to hurt. Of course, once those rings and things are removed the holes would mostly grow back together or at least shrink. But still WHY?
Not all people do the same thing for the same reason. Some people do things on a whim because it's a fad or trend and they don't want to be left behind. No one wants to be "uncool" right? But I think with some people, it goes much deeper than ink in a few layers of skin. I believe that some people feel so empty inside that they try to fill up on the outside what they are lacking on the inside. That's why we wear makeup, jewelry, dye our hair different colors,change clothing styles and yes tattoo. But will a tattoo really do the trick? Can't we remember our kids names without writing it on our arms? Will a bluebird printed on our ankle really make us feel good? This is all so surface, how can it possibly make a difference in our lives? Would'nt the money be better spent on someone who has nothing? Could it be that our society is so self-centered that we do not know how to fill that empty place unless we are concentrating on ourselves instead of others? I say, If you want to find yourself, lose yourself. Think of other people and what you can do to help them and then the need for surface things will fade. Only God can fill that empty place. Everything else is only temporary. A tattoo is not forever. It rots with the body.
The person above me said it best but I have mostly encountered people getting tattoos in hope of getting noticed by other people. I don't have one myself but have several friends that do.
It makes the weak appear strong. The boring appear lively. The sheltered seem reckless and so on..
I'm 19. I got my first tattoo at 18 right after graduation. It's a little outline of a star on my chest. Ive wanted it for over 3 years..but parents wouldn't sign. I didn't have the money. I got a job and saved up. It was only 50 bucks. Kind of hurt, but kind of felt good. Now I have 5. One star on my wrist...people ask me if I will regret this one..maybe? but doesn't everyone regret something. A star on my neck. A chinese symbol below my panty line that says "lovesick"..personal reasons.and an inner lip tattoo. I love all my tattoos. I like getting them because they hurt, but are sometimes pleasurable in between. It's a Huge rush. Like going on a rollercoaster for the first time. Yeah it's forever. But I own my body. And no one else does.
I'm 16 years old I got my first tattoo a few months ago because i felt it was a good idea! i realize i must live with it but so what? Getting a tattoo is not the end of the world! some people claim they get tattoos because of personal reasons and past private memories, but I, like most people, get one simply because i love art and enjoy seeing it everyday on my arm!
My tattoo is a tribal design with the chinese yin-yang symbol in the middle! this design has no real meaning to me only that i think it looks good on my arm! if you don't like tattoos simply don't get one.
Oh and don't take pain killers before getting the tattoo it makes it worse because it doesnt allow the blood to clot.... found that out the hard way.
TB, Ireland
TB, Ireland...who takes pain killers? Other than not drinking alcohol that is tattoo 101.
Grow a pair.
whyr u people some judemental? tattoos are body art - so what. Why would you assume that someone felt they had no future ahead of them so they got a tattoo, or that they are so empty inside they needed to fill the void by getting some ink? i've got eight tattoos now. (8!!!) and a few piercings. i enjoy the rush of it, i enjoy the beauty of it afterwards. im in college and getting a degree in psychology. ive got a a fulltime job that pays my bills. ive got an amazing boyfriend who i plan to marry and makes me feel beautiful everyday. i have great friends and a great relationship with both of my parents and both of my siblings. im in Big Brothers/Big Sisters and do what i can to help donate food, clothing, furniture, etc when needed. my life is pretty damn good, if you ask me. wheres this void you speak of...? and im prrreeeettttyyy sure iv got a fabulous future ahead of me.
you dont need to like tattoos or piercings - or know why people get them and enjoy them. why do people like the color red and others dont? who cares. but please dont judge and assume that theres something WRONG with a person for making the desicion to get a tattoo. like i said, you dont need to like them - you dont need to get one. if you dont want to look at them, turn your head. ask all the questions you want, i dont mind at all when people ask me why i got mine or why i decided on a specific one. but its a bit offensive when they turn the conversation negative, thinking im an idiot for doing something so perminent or they ask JUST to tell me how opposed they are to the idea. my bf doesnt have any tattoos and probably will never get one but he understands why i have and enjoys seeing them. people do what they want. soooo what.
please try to keep an open mind.
Anonymous said...
Not all people do the same thing for the same reason. Some people do things on a whim because it's a fad or trend and they don't want to be left behind. No one wants to be "uncool" right? But I think with some people, it goes much deeper than ink in a few layers of skin. I believe that some people feel so empty inside that they try to fill up on the outside what they are lacking on the inside. That's why we wear makeup, jewelry, dye our hair different colors,change clothing styles and yes tattoo. But will a tattoo really do the trick? Can't we remember our kids names without writing it on our arms? Will a bluebird printed on our ankle really make us feel good? This is all so surface, how can it possibly make a difference in our lives? Would'nt the money be better spent on someone who has nothing? Could it be that our society is so self-centered that we do not know how to fill that empty place unless we are concentrating on ourselves instead of others? I say, If you want to find yourself, lose yourself. Think of other people and what you can do to help them and then the need for surface things will fade. Only God can fill that empty place. Everything else is only temporary. A tattoo is not forever. It rots with the body.
I think most of these people suck. Tattoos are an art. Plain and simple no matter how you look at it, I'm 17 and do tattoos. I have 50 something odd tattoos. And honestly it doesn't matter what other people have to say about me. I do me and that's what matters.I don't have tattoos cause I'm empty I have them cause it's me. It's who I wanna be. So fuck you art hatin fucks that have nothing better to do then to criticize the way other people live.
:)
FUCKERSS!
People who get tattoos are generally just mindless fucking idiots. Talk about a trend that is so yesterday!! Whenever I see the mindless bitch with the bar code on the nape of her neck or the skank with the tramp stamp in the small of her back I really udnerstand that these morons are just a waste of air. And as for Frances Ellen - any 64-year old who feels she needs a tattoo probably really needs a fist up her asshole - something she won't have to remember with a bunch of ink in her skin!
Dear Shirley,
Is your life really so boring and empty that you must post blogs cutting down others for their decisions that inevitably... have no real effect on yours? Maybe they got tattooed because they like art or for personal reasons that are actually none of your business to begin with.
I suggest you find a hobby or something else to fill your obviously boring life and stop worrying about others decisions.
People get inked for their own reasons, just like haircuts, or buying a new car. Its all personal design. My husband does not care for ink or piercings but he is not shallow enough to judge me for my choices.
However, if you dislike someone for getting inked that is your personal choice too.
Grateful for my choice to choose!
ITs a free country. MIND your own FUCKING business.
I really wanted some insight into this question. I thought about it in my twenties but decided against it as I think it was a whim/fashion thing and both are passing. My only reservation is that people think it makes them look deep or unique. Deep? In who's eyes? Unique ? We all are. The only argument that makes any sense is doing it in the name of art. But even then, as with all art, one must expect to be criticised (good and bad) both for the aesthetic and intellectual content. Some people are going to make negative judgements about education, background, emotional and psyco stability. If one has a visible tattoo, expect to be criticised. For instance, if you have a ying yang symbol, it means something, if you have it because you think it looks cool, you only think it looks cool because someone else or group of people you want to be associated with have had it done, or you have a half assed hippy idea of what it means or, because you associate it with the religion/philosophy and want to show people your belief. Either way, the choice of this symbol comes loaded with cultural baggage.
In the end, if you have a tattoo, that is your choice. But people will judge you, it is a natural response and their right.
Even having one because 'I think it looks cool and I don't care what you think' speaks volumes.
Oh, while I'm at it, to the person who said that some people do it to fill a void that 'can only be filled by god. There is no god. Only a hole that people have created a god to fill. Hence 'God' fits the god shaped hole.
No offense, but I noticed that more and more people are getting tattoos to fit in this tattoo cult; it's a trend and is permanent. Some people are addicted to being inked. I agree with most of the post, but the unnecessary nasty comments makes me wonder if they really are hurting or trying to fill a void; and most young people/adults are very self-centered today. I know for sure of one thing, there is going to be a generation of ugly old people...sagging skin with faded blue ink. My grandfather got a huge tattoo on his back when he was in the military back in the 1950s and then another he added more on his arms in the 1970s; not a good look at all once the tattoos start aging.
I love art. I love music.
But I'd be foolish to listen to one song (or CD) for 50 + years. Or own a home and crazy glue pictures to the wall.
I've seen some beautiful tattoos on people. Especially on the backs of some gorgeous women. But in 20 years you know you are going to change. But your tattoo is not.
Some of you need to know (or admit) that there is such a thing as "Endorphin Addiction Pain ". So many of us "Old Ass Ninjas" have no issue with your tats or it's placement. (Although I have yet to see a neck tat that impressed me) It's the permanence that many question.
"Because: Tattooing is an odd and beautiful form of art; very interesting and more expressive of sentiment than any other thing.
It is more fascinating than costly jewelery, and cannot be lost, borrowed or stolen. It is a memento we can keep through life and retain after death. A sure identification in case of need upon Land or Sea,
The Art has been patronized by all Ranks and Classes, including members of Royalty, Nobility and Society, Army and Navy, Sportsmen and Travelers of the World." J.H
I have a wonderful future ahead of me. I'm a medical student, traveler, intellectual, and much more. It upsets me when I take off my lab coat and people are shocked at the number of tattoos I have. They mean the world to me. I found this excerpt by J.H. and I couldn't have said it any better myself. A tattoo is a beautiful scar that's left not only on your body but on your soul. Tattoos are highly stigmatized, however, it's important to remember that at one point in time women were not allowed to wear pants because of societies stigmatization. I hope to see that in the future the stigmatization will disappear and ignorance will dissipate. We're all told "not to judge a book by it's cover." Of course there are some people with tattooing that have no future, but it's through the fascist lense of society that it's stigmatized. Just. Stop.
I cannot believe some of the things I've read here, I can't believe someone would even think to start a blog and use it as an excuse to victimise people who do not make the same life choices (which do not hurt anyone else). What is next? Start a blog against women who dye their hair? These women must be so empty to want to change their hair colour. Honestly, the person who said people have tattoos they do it to fill a void should check whether perhaps that void is in themselves. I have 2 tattoos, I'm booking an appointment to have a big goth fairy inked on my back. I have a master degree in literature, a very good exec job, and a son. I play jazz piano and guitar, I'm an avid reader and amateur writer... Honestly, if there is something that is missing in my life is the void that person was talking about. Tattoos are a form of art, if you don't get it then that's your loss, but don't judge what you can't understand.
LISTEN HERE:
I have not read any of these comments posted by others, because I only have one thing to say...
WHO CARES?
Let me paint a picture for you...
Me = Young woman, in college, tan, blonde, family oriented, and minimal piercings (Ears and Belly button ONLY)
MY Boyfriend = Mid 20's man, well-known tattoo artist, full sleeves, back of the neck, legs, hands, knuckles, & he plans to hopefully continue with body art from artists ALL around the world.
GET THIS! - he also happens to be extremely knowledgeable, most definitely a family man, and happens to have gorgeous dark hair with bright blue eyes!
Now, not preaching on how "amazing" my relationship is, or whatever, JUST saying...
How can someone so "perfect" or "normal"(because of no tattoos) be with a "monster" "disappointment and letdown of a human being" ?!
...
CONCLUSION:
Don't be so ignorant on this subject.
Diversity is what makes us all beautiful with our differences and each and every one of our imperfections.
------------------------------
TRUTH-TELLER
enjoy/comment/respect
<3
its increases personality so good to get tattoos designs
tattoos in my humble opinion are for people who have a mental disorder. or to avoid getting a job.
No tattoo is art, its just the same as branding a cow, they tattooed the jews in the war as a permanent reminder. I am looking out of my patio door now at my donk nieghbour, who has his nick-name on his back and a ugly blue cross on his back-I bet his mum is so proud.(DINKEY).Any one I have ever met regrets their tattoos a few years later. its not fahion- just for donks.
martin fox
Amen besides the body is a temple of gods n I'm not going to graffiti it.
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