<p>I told my son 12 years ago when he was itching to get a tattoo as soon as he turned 18 that it better ay “I love Mom!” Well it didn’t. Both my sons have tattoos, (mostly covered) which they know I hate, but several years later they still stand by their decisions. They all have meaning to them. My D has one, (well hidden) she is 21 and has no desire to get any more. It was a reminder to herself after a particularly bad relationship and is a religious symbol.</p>
<p>Now eldest S has a gf that has more tatoos than I have ever seen on any given person. I was shocked! They are actually quite well done, but wow, everywhere! She has the most beautiful face, with gorgeous skin, so sad that it is about the only place I can see her skin. She is the most gracious young lady…not sure the motivation behind it all…just “art”.</p>
<p>I still hate tatoos, but have learned to look beyond them. I do worry about when they are older and have kids etc.
OP, she is of age, and it is her decision at this point. It was a hard bargain to expect her to agree to as she became independent. Just love her and discuss the possiblity that this is a one time thing:)</p>
<p>Ummmm, wonder if it would still be so cool for the kids if moms and dads started spotting large, flamboyant tats…</p>
<p>I would like some but I am one of those fickle people with 20 shades of lipsticks and 30 shades of nail polishes. Can’t imagine being stuck with the same old tat for more than a week at a time. </p>
<p>I like those Japanese gangster ones. The Indian ceremonial ones are beautiful too.</p>
<p>I can empathize with you…my d got a tatoo on her foot (it is a bunch of musical notes, which is significant to her as she plans on working in the music industry). I absolutely hate tatoos and was furious with her…my husband even more so than me. Now, almost a year later I don’t even mind it…if she would only get rid of the “Monroe” piercing now I would be very happy!!</p>
<p>When I was at Summer Orientation for my University, there was a girl that literally had one piercing in the middle of her cheek on each side. Almost like she pierced her dimples or something, but higher up.</p>
<p>At 16/17 my D got a few tattoos including a “tramp stamp” and a few on her hands. She was in a rebellious faze. At 21, she’s now in the process of having them removed. A very expensive and time consuming process.</p>
<p>She also has one on her shoulder and when she attend family events with her Jewish boyfriend and his family she has to find an outfit to cover them.</p>
<p>Just asked my older daughter if she would get a tatoo without telling me. She said, “Tattoo just doesn’t go with my personality, but I wouldn’t tell you if I were to get one.”</p>
<p>For those who think somehow that the tattoos will become passe when the teens become adults, look around. There are plenty of adults including otherwise normal appearing middle aged moms and dads with tats.</p>
<p>I don’t have one, but have now seen enough of them not to have a negative reaction to people who sport them.</p>
<p>For those who think somehow that the tattoos will become passe when the teens become adults, look around. There are plenty of adults including otherwise normal appearing middle aged moms and dads with tats.</p>
<p>True & I think we are broadening our opinion on what " an adult looks like", not narrowing it. While appearance is one facet of who we are, it isn’t the most meaningful.</p>
<p>Great story, EK! I especially liked when she realized that the answer wasn’t Oprah swooping in and making things right–it was to be found within the community itself.</p>
<p>I see people already making fun of the trampstamp. I don’t mean just posters here. I mean everyday people I come across from 21 to 50. Some evidence is the nickname trampstamp. I doubt a tattoo shop putting a big sign in their window- -trampstamps done here!
Not just the unflattering nickname, but I have heard some young women considering a tattoo, but added they don’t want a trampstamp- too many other girls have one they said. When a potential recipient of one decides against it because they feel it is too common, that would seem to indicate it is a passing fashion. Not that I personally feel all trampstamps are bad. I saw one about 10 yrs ago I liked when a girl bent over; however she was 22 and wore size 5 pants. That may be a help toward a tattoo looking nice.</p>
<p>Names come in cycles too. My son was in h.s. with 3 or 4 tiffany’s and 3 or 4 Ashleys (although one had a “cutesy” spelling), some Jasons, Jeremys, and Jacobs. I’m old enough to remember “Here come the Brides” with Bobby Sherman, and how we made fun of those male names. I didn’t go to school with any of those names. My S didn’t go to school with Jim or Bob. I knew a bunch. Names come and go.</p>
<p>A trampstamp is slang for a specific tattoo. It is on the lower female back, often a long scroll shape perpendicular to the spine, usually at or just barely above the waistband of the low-rise pants in style now. That way, if her shirt is a bit short or the female bends down(such as to pick something up) the tatt is exposed. The underwear that typically accompanies this look when one goes out and desires to show off tatt, can be a whaletail or low thong- so low that it doesn’t show, giving the impression of no underwear. And of course sometimes no underwear actually is the choice.</p>
<p>And it’s usually a butterfly or tribal symbol with hearts or something equally cliched (I say that as someone who has what has occasionally been referred to as a tramp stamp - though I think it’s too high up on my back, you can’t see it if I bend over, which I feel is the part of the “trampy” aspect)</p>
<p>To be honest, it’s just a spot on your body. It doesn’t say anything about the person who chose it, except, perhaps, that they wisely chose a spot that’s easily hidden in business attire (assuming you attire yourself in clothes that fit) and will likely not stretch with age/weight gain/pregnancy as much as other body parts. The social stigma that goes along with it is fairly minimal - while people make fun of it, no one REALLY cares that much. I’ve heard the lower hip is the new tramp stamp.</p>
<p>As long as you’re safe, consider carefully what you want and where you place it, then I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a tattoo.</p>
<p>^ a friend’s d had one done when she was 17. A 4X4 in phoenix. Her mother was most upset when she found out. The d is a chemical engineer now working in Oz and planning to get a masters. So, in the scheme of things, things turn out well.</p>
<p>I got my two tattoos at age 47 and I don’t regret them at all. They still look great- bright colors. I get a lot of compliments. D has two smaller ones that I let her get when she was 16. She is now 24 and has no regrets. Neither of us have suffered as a result of our lack of sense! :)</p>
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