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Essay on my first tattoo
Tattoos and society
Tattoos being a form of self expression
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Irwin discusses in the article Legitimating the First Tattoo: Moral Passage Through Informal Interaction on the internal struggle of those who get tattoos must go through as they commit to art that they get on their body. Throughout the article, Irwin refers to the idea of tattoos with the common assumptions that were associated with like a low status social class and surrounded by a stigma of lacking sense and basic elegance. Tattoos were often once associated with stereotypes such as “dangerous” outcasts that had often associated with this form of body modification. The phenomenon of tattoos started as a sort of strange and more unique practice (as it wasn’t as common) that was surrounded mostly by stigma. Meaning it was focused around
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle is one of the most inspirational book I have ever read. The book is comprised of multiple different stories from the life and work of the author himself, which makes this a realistic experience for the reader. These stories are of the Homeboys of Homeboys Industries, an organization founded by Father G, or Greg, in hopes of finding the light for gangs in California.
The decision to get a tattoo is personal and different for everyone. Tattoos are generally permanent additions to the body. Rushing into a design typically ends in regret. Taking a considerable amount of time to find the perfect design and the positioning on ones’ body may not be a bad idea. Unfortunately, there are far more tattoos that are spur-of-the-moment rather than thoroughly considered, meaningful, or commemorative tattoos. In Beth Janes’s article, “Why I Rue My Tattoo,” and Stephanie Dolgoff’s piece, “Tattoo Me Again and Again,” the authors describe the different processes that they went through when deciding to get their tattoos. Both authors discuss their reasons for getting their tattoos, the designs they chose to get, and share their different opinions about the finished tattoos that they have chosen to live with for the rest of their lives.
Mantell, M. (n.d.). The Psychology of Tattoos. San Diego Magazine Dr San Diego. Retrieved November 17, 2013, from http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/August-2009/The-Psychology-of-Tattoos/
After the interview with the tattoo artist at Skin Canvas Tattoo Studio, we learned many facts about the chemicals used and the tattoo procedure. We learned that they have a disinfectant called Madacide-FD that can kill the HIV (AIDS) virus, Herpes, and Hepatitis. We also learned that they are extremely careful with all of their patients and treat them as if they had HIV, so they cover the bed and the tools in madacide and plastic to prevent anyone from getting infected. We also learned about the risks there are when it comes to getting a tattoo. Overall we believe the interview went better than we expected for the reason that we had fun talking with the artists and learned several facts ourselves.
Tattoos have been utilized in various ways for thousands of years, ranging from punishment, to status symbols and indications of religious beliefs. They have served as the ultimate illustration of cultural diffusion in America, and despite generally carrying a negative social stigma, perception of tattoos has continued to evolve into a more acceptable practice.
Tattoos have been used as a form of decoration on the body of the Egyptian mummies. In fact, tattoos were viewed as a “beautifying operation” to the Typee natives and in Wales they were once a royal fad. There have been many eras to see the tattoo as a prestigious decoration. The Japanese also practiced a form of tattooing that covered their warriors in intimidating designs. But after years of beauty and prestige, what changed the views of people? What made tattoos rebellious and unprofessional?
Many people have been getting tattoos lately. People of all ages have been getting them and from all different backgrounds. On a nice day in just about any public place one can spot a tattoo about every five minutes, from the business man who had a portrait of his daughter put on him to a young girl with a butterfly on her ankle and even people with extensive tattoo coverage. What is even more interesting is the rise in the number of people who are heavily tattooed and that they come from all different backgrounds. Not too long ago tattooing did not experience the popularity in mainstream culture that it does now. The question that must be asked in order to understand this fascination that popular culture has had with tattoos is why people get tattoos.
Even though tattoos are becoming part of culture and socially acceptable, the negative and prejudiced attitudes towards those with body art are still present. Not all tattoos are gang related, and one must note that they have historically been a symbol of someone’s culture or religion. Other tattoos may have just a personal meaning to its owner and was not intended to be offensive. People also do not understand that a tattoo may impede them from pursuing a professional career, regardless of their qualifications. Employers realize that the need to recruit workers from different backgrounds are important in such a competitive workforce, so they provide accommodation by having reasonable dress code policies.
They’re what you see on your friends, family and people walking on the streets. This growing debate on tattoos brings me to the point of the evolution of tattoos. Tattoos were once believed to be a risky trend and are now becoming more of the norm. As we know it tattoos are not as unusual as they once were. There are many different reasons behind why people get tattoos, for example personal losses, symbolism, or just the concept of it being art. Most believe tattooing is just another medium of art and it should be respected along with the tattoo artist who give them. A lot of people differ in opinion behind what, where, and how people should get their tattoos. A strong topic to think about is what to get as a tattoo in the first place. Then there is the topic of where to get a tattoo so it will not put an individual’s professional image down the drain. Finally, the last important basic topic to think about is how you are going to get a tattoo. There are two reasons to ask this question and one is the sterilization of the needle. The second one is the age limit of the person who is getting the tattoo. If one is too young then it defeats the concept of getting a tattoo in the first place because of the committed decision one has to make before getting a tattoo.
Tattoo’s Place in Contemporary American Culture This article by John Roberts is to help us better understand how and why people have tattoos. Tattoos meaning in the popular culture have changes over the years. People are getting tattoos for different reasons and in different ways. “despite… path-breaking analyses of tattooing as a contextual and negotiated signifier of identity, sociological statements on the cultural use of tattoos in North America ultimately (re) produce a conceptualization of the practice as contra-normative.
Tattoos are a controversial subject in the world we live in. The kind of people that get tattoos is now varied to almost all humans regardless of race, religion, or age. What many people fail to understand or realize is how much of an effect a tattoo can have on the rest of your life. The original tattoo stereotypes have faded from what they were many years ago and yet tattoos still have a reputation as for what kind of people get tattoos. There are many reasons as to why people would get a tattoo but there are many reason why you should think before you ink. Our society and the social media today has a huge impact on the tattoo industry. Movie stars and pop singers with many tattoos are posing as role models for our generation and
Symbolism and meaning is by far one of the most important aspects of the tattoo industry. “The abstract emotions and human awareness of emotions show what really is going on in ones life (Johnson)”. For that reason tattooing is a form of self-expression, and can stand for literal interpretations. For the most part these interpretations are the conveying of spiritual meaning, or marking milestones such as life or death” (Johnson). For those who think tattooing is just for looks or put a bad judgment on it, should also realize that ones personal interest reflects upon their lives. “Many individuals get their first tattoos during adolescence or young adulthood.”(Bravermark) Due to the mainstream culture, these traditions traditionally associate with stereotypes. Stereotypes defiantly have a huge impact on life. Which leads to the next point? Whether flaunted or hidden, sought as art or brought out on a whim, the tattoo has left a huge impact on generation after generation.
There comes a point in one's life that the struggle of getting or not getting a tattoo is ultra real. With all the self-expression hoo-hah linked with inking the skin, it makes the act all the more empowering. Some have jumped on the void of doing it, not just to follow a trend but because they're tough enough to arrive onto an important decision. We have seen hundreds of famous personalities having their share of the tattoo world and we cannot deny that it looked so awesome; the urgency to furnish one is jolted. Endless debates have been aired on as to tattoo's eligible to be counted as art and the undying notion that its plain liberated.
Tattoos derive their power from three sources. The first source of power is from the tattoo artist. Tattooers acquire power through the practice of discipline and restraint, such as meditating and keeping the five basic precepts at all times. The five precepts are a Buddhist code where followers refrain from killing, stealing, improper sexual behavior, lying, and intoxication. The second source of power in Buddhism, as it relates to tattooing, is that of the tattoo artist’s teacher, and through the teacher, their linage. Tattoos designs do not have inherent power of their own, but when learned from a powerful teacher the power of the tattoo is augmented. Not only must one learn the practice from an honorable teacher but the student must show homage to their teacher in order to access the power of the teacher lineage. The last source of power is that from the Buddhas, and objects associated ...
Are tattoos a kiss of death at a workplace? According to Student Research Center, nearly 4 out of every 10 Americans in their 30s have been inked. ''In April 2000 15% of Americans were tattooed (which is roughly around 40 million people) (The National Geographic).'There are different types of tattoos, from color to black and white, even glow in the dark. Number of tattoo paralos in the U.S. is 21,000'' (Tattoo Statistics 1) and more is being added every single day. People spend about $1.6 billion on tattoos once a year. ''In the U.S. more women than men are tattooed, 36% of the ages is between 18-25 and 40% of those ages are 26-40 that have at least one tattoo.''(Random facts 1) People have been getting tattoos for a while now. It has been said that ''tattoos date back as far as the Neolithic era or around the fourth to fifth millennium BC.''(skinsight.com 1) Tattoos should be acceptable at a place of business because people get tattoos for significant purposes, tattoos can tell stories and build confidence, body art is a way for someone to express themselves, make up, and tattoos are reminders of life time experiences.