<p>I associate tattoos with the lower class men that “I thought” had them when I was growing up. I’m now sure that is an accurate assessment, but that’s how I viewed it.</p>
<p>Any sort of tattoo on a woman is not attractive to me. Yes, movie stars have them, and they set the trends, but I still find them disgusting. The same goes for full body tattoos. I guess they are called sleeves.</p>
<p>I also hate body piercing. It turns my stomach. I mean, I can’t even look at it without feeling sick.</p>
<p>Lots of young people have tattoos. That lovely bride could have had one in a discrete spot. No judgment passed here on young people getting tattoos. My mom felt the same way when I got my ears pierced.</p>
<p>I agree. When I have watched “Say Yes to The Dress” and the beautiful bride turns around and has a shoulder emblazoned with a tattoo…UGGHHHH!!! Takes away. That’s all you see is the damn tattoo. </p>
<p>If it’s a “fad” then it’s a “fad” that’s been going on for thousands of years. </p>
<p>I have one. You can’t see it unless I’m wearing a bikini.
My grandfather had several tattoos on his arms. He was also a decorated war hero. He passed away in his 70s and I think they looked quite good on him even in his late age </p>
<p>Btw, over 20% of US adults have tattoos with the vast majority having not regretted them. Tattoos are not a fad. They are here to stay and they are growing in popularity. That doesn’t mean you have to be more accepting of them, but they’re not going anywhere. </p>
<p>At my undergrad college, I think almost all of my residential college professors had visible tattoos. Well over half of my PhD student friends have visible tattoos.</p>
<p>My D14 has said that the reason she won’t get a tattoo is that her interests are always changing and she wouldn’t want to be stuck with one forever. I was not unhappy to hear this.</p>
<p>I’ll admit to sometimes watching the tattoo cover-up shows late at night. The people almost always say that it seemed like a good idea at the time. The only way to cover a bad tattoo is to get a bigger, darker one.</p>
<p>This topic comes up a couple of times a year on CC. Do a search.
I really disagree with most of the above posts. I am a professional in my 60s and have 3 tattoos. I love them, have not gotten tired of them at all, and they have not hampered my professional advancement at all. Two are on my lower leg and one is on my forearm. They mean a lot to me. I see a lot of professionals in the workplace with tattoos. I don’t care for large tattoos, sleeves etc., but that’s just my opinion. Many (maybe even over 50%) of my running friends have at least one running-related (or triathlon) tattoo. These cross both sexes and all age groups. </p>
<p>It’s just a matter of personal taste. I can’t stand the way a lot of people wear their hair, overdo plastic surgery and injections of fillers or choose to dress. Others hate tattoos.</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with a small, discreet meaningful tattoo. Being totally inked however is probably going to be a problem one day. Tattoo removal is big business for a reason. </p>
<p>My daughter got one shortly after her 18th birthday (second semester high school senior). I didn’t like it one bit but I was NOT going to cut off her college money or throw her out of the house. Hers is on her back, on her shoulder blade. She paid for it from her babysitting money and did a huge amount of research.</p>
<p>Might be interesting to designate a day here on CC - “tatoo avatar” day. Those that have, can share photos! </p>
<p>I personally don’t’ care for them. But agree there are others things “we” judge people on as well that have to do with vanity- from piercings to botox to mohawks. </p>
<p>I’ve told my kids if they get a tattoo, it will be a sign to me that they can afford anything they want, so that they no longer need my money for things like food or tuition. Many of their friends have tattoos and I know they want them, but too bad. As long as I’m paying to feed and educate those bodies, they belong to me.</p>
<p>It also helps that we have a family friend covered with tattoos. Fine for his job as a trainer, not so great when he became a chemistry teacher at a catholic school and had to cover up totally, even when he was coaching in 100 degree heat. Long pants and sleeves.</p>
<p>Ick, I don’t like them at all. Right now that makes me an old fogey. I think in twenty-thirty years it will make me cool. </p>
<p>I told my kids they could have a tattoo if 1) they win a Nobel Prize ( a discrete stick of dynamite maybe?), 2) go to the Olympics (the rings, of course), or 3) get elected President ( a tiny little number, the number of President that he is elected, like “50”).</p>
<p>No, it doesn’t make you an old fogey at all. Too many tattoos is just tacky. It’s meant to send a non-conformist message and as others have that said may be fine if you are very successful in some artsy or athletic field but in the real world conforming is required. It just is. Young people realize this, too. </p>
<p>We’ve had this discussion so many times here…I’m one of those who really dislikes tats, and I’m happy that S has not, to date, gotten any or expressed interest in them. I also detest facial piercings: I just see pain when I look at them. I also strongly dislike multiple ear piercings. </p>
<p>Much of this is ingrained in me as a class marker. I can’t help it, even though intellectually I realize it is not necessarily the case.</p>
<p>So what will you all do if your kids become self supporting college grads, and get tattoos?</p>
<p>There is a huge difference between a tattoo that covers your entire torso or arms, and legs, and a small one that is discretely placed on your upper arm, back, etc. </p>
<p>Maybe I’m a bit liberal on this, but I don’t see the big deal here.</p>
<p>I think as long as it isnt hurting themselves or anyone else, that you should do what makes you happy.</p>
<p>It is not LEGAL here for kids under 18 to get tattoos, doesnt matter what parents allow.
If your area doesnt have laws regulating it, they must not think it is a concern.
<a href=“Policy Research”>Policy Research;
<p>I take water aerobics 4x a week, most of the participants are over 60, if not 70 or 80. Several of them have tasteful tattoos. Flowers, or grandchildrens names on their calf or ankle. They are lovely and happy to tell you about them.
One woman has an Elvis themed tattoo, she used to run a club outside Graceland.</p>
<p>I also used to do massage and you would be surprised at the numbers of people that have tattoos. Including those in the medical professions.
I have never seen one in person that was a big ugly blob. If you go to someone who knows what they are doing, that just wont happen.</p>
<p>A young relative of mine is a vegetarian and recoils at eating anything other than organic food, no additives, preservatives, etc. etc. She says she wants to be careful with what she puts in her body and wants to be ‘all natural’. But she had no problem injecting ink under her skin permanently. Apparently she didn’t see the irony. </p>
<p>What if said child decides to get a sleeve? Then what? Until they are fully cooked & mature they can’t really make that decision wisely. Like having babies too young, they are cute and interesting, but then reality sets in and you realize that these buggers are permanent. I would rather my children make life long decisions when their frontal lobes are fully developed. Not because it’s a fad and because everyone else is doing it. Which seems to be the case nowadays. </p>
<p>I read someplace many, many years ago where corporations refused to hire to people with tattoos. They even had to sign a form saying that they did not have any…if it were found out that they did, they would be fired. Well, a young man went on a new hire retreat/weekend beach outing and forgot that he had a tattoo on his back. Went to the pool in his speedo and guess what? Was fired on the spot. So sad that artistic expression trumps gainful employment in the eyes of young people. I always tell my kids that it’s not worth the stigma that it may or may not bring. You never the views/values of who is sitting in the bosses seat.</p>
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