Tattoos in the Workplace and Personal Experience Having Tattoos

865 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Society and tattoos

Having four tattoos, three piercings and hopefully more to come, it's hard for me to grasp the fact that the workplace discriminates against people who have them. The tattoo on my shoulder is for my twin brother, the two on my right foot are for my grandma and best friend, and the one on my collarbone is my favorite quote. Each of my tattoos has meaning, and my piercings are not meant to offend anyone. I am not alone. Several years ago Jon Tevlin, staff writer for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis noted the number of adults with tattoos was "growing, especially among the young"(Tevlin). I don’t believe businesses should discriminate against people with tattoos and piercings because it is our personal choice to have them; the tattoos people get have meaning to them; and no one has the right to judge others based on their tattoos and piercings. Many people have tattoos and piercings in today's society. According to Tattoo Statistics, 36 percent of U.S. adults between ages 18-25 have at least one tattoo, and the average annual amount spent on tattoos in the U.S is $1.65 billion. However, job discrimination against people with tattoos and piercings has been happening for a long time, and it is legal to do so. In fact, Jay P. Whickson, a writer from Demand Media, noted many employers legally discriminate against those with tattoos. My thought on that is why? Whickson stated that in most cases, the employer isn't against body art; he simply doesn't want it to reflect on his business. So, tattoos and piercings make businesses look bad? Unprofessional? Tattoos are a form of art, a form of expression about one’s self. The world is very diverse. We have different races, ethnicities, believe in different religions, enjoy different sports, ... ... middle of paper ... ... Kosut, 2006) with increases not only in the number of individuals getting tattoos, but also in television shows featuring tattoo artists (e.g., LA Ink, Tattoo Highway) and tattooed individuals (e.g., Inked) as well as in the availability of temporary tattoos for both adults and children" (Mun' et al., 134). Therefore, I believe society is going to have start accepting the fact that individuals enjoy getting tattoos and piercings. Even though deviant behavior was once linked to tattoos, today tattoos are a choice and part of a person's personality. Many people who have tattoos and piercings are not causing harm to anyone, especially in the business world. People who live in an independent society where there is freedom of speech and expression shouldn't have to hide their tattoos and piercings in the workplace. They are part of who we are and who we always will be.

Show More
Related

  • Essay On Tattoos And Tattoos

    1191 Words  | 3 Pages

    A controversial topic today is whether or not body piercings and tattoos should be accepted by professionals working in health care. Currently, tattoos and piercings are allowed in health care as long as they are not visible. According to one of the studies, “Body piercing is defined as a piercing of the body anywhere other than the earlobes” (Westerfield). Therefore, the only visible piercings allowed are small studs in the lobes of the ears for females. The reason body piercings and tattoos are not suggested in health care is that they keep someone from looking professional as well as making them look intimidating. Not everyone sees them that way. The opposing side is that they do not affect

    Read More

  • Tattoos Annotated Bibliography Essay

    1306 Words  | 3 Pages

    (2014). The Artification of Tattoo: Transformations within a Cultural Field. Cultural Sociology, 8(2), 142. Retrieved from http://www.galileo.usg.edu.

    Read More

  • Against Tattoos Research Paper

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tattoos have been around for as long as I can remember. They started out as brandings for slaves, but now it’s become more of a piece of art that people add to themselves. Tattoos have become very popular in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe, Japan, and North and South America. The growth in tattoo culture has seen an increase of new artists into the industry, many of whom have excellent arts training. With advancements in tattoos and the ongoing upgrade of the equipment used for tattooing, this has led to an improvement in the quality and distinct look of tattoos. It is understood to be a symbol of remembrance, love, or just a way for someone to express themselves. Since this new hobby for some has started increasing, so has the policies for companies to hire people with tattoos. As an adult, I chose to put a few tattoos on my body as a symbol of things that I really cherish. Other people in my family also have tattoos, that are visible and some that are hidden from the public by clothing or materials. In today's global marketplace, employers are taking more seriously the need to provide a work environment that welcomes employees from many different backgrounds. Bringing it closer to home, my brother has an entire sleeve on both of his arms and my mom has one tattoo on her chest. He works in the oil field and my mom has been working at Celebrating Home for almost 15 years and things are going well without the tattoo issue getting in the way. This semester plan to research why companies really don’t like to hire potential employees with tattoos, and how prospective employee are affected. I also want to dig deeper into the negative imp...

    Read More

  • History and Cultural Diffusion of Tattoos in America

    1065 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Tattoos Should Be Allowed in the Workplace

    1506 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...llious and dangerous. One should be delighted to have the freedom to dress and decorate themselves as they wish. Having a tattoo in today’s world still may not be viewed as professional, but tattoos are definitely no longer, nor should they ever be, viewed as unprofessional.

    Read More

  • Bastion Of Discrimination

    538 Words  | 2 Pages

    In addition, discrimination by appearance is really unfair to job-seekers, who do not get hired. My brother, who is Hispanic, has many visible tattoos all over his body. Each and every one of his tattoos mean something very special to him. If someone saw my brother and his tattoos, immediately, they would think he is rebellious. He is a genuine, intelligent person,

    Read More

  • Tattoos and Mainstream Culture

    1275 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Tattoos in the Workplace

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Summary Of David Brooks Non Conformity Is Skin Deep

    1234 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is true that the young people have more tattoos than the old people. 36% of Americans between ages 18-29 have a tattoo (Brooks). The fact that society is accepting this violation means that there are more people who are yet to confirm, of which they will in the near future. It is also evident that people wear tattoos to show commitment because lovers for instance wear the images or the names of their lovers and others wear the images of their icons to show that they matter to them. This kind of permanence on someone’s body shows commitment and it is admirable to the world.

    Read More

  • Tattoos And Body Modifications

    1405 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tattoos and body modifications have been around for many generations. They first began in 3370 BC and were used by Europeans and Egyptians. Both tattoos and body modifications are defined as a cultural representation of self-expression and sometimes even religion. In the article “Tattoos and Piercing: Issues of Body Modification and the Workplace,” Dr. Elzweig states, “Although tattooing is not a new phenomenon, the number of people who have tattoos has increased significantly and continues to rise. Life magazine estimated in 1936 that only 10% of me American population was tattooed in whole or in part (One out of ten Americans is tattooed, 1936)” (Elweig, Peeples).

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay About Tattoos

    2488 Words  | 5 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Expressing Oneself Through Tattoos

    1091 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Tattoos and Society

    1437 Words  | 3 Pages

    A persons’ image is vital when meeting someone for the first time. Our peers, employers, family, superiors, even strangers that you walk past can automatically judge someone, and imagine how they present themselves to the world. Tattoos have been predominantly linked with a rebellious attitude and pictured on out of control stereotypes such as rock starts, bikers, sailors, and disobedient teenagers who want nothing more than to hack off their parents. With a new coming of age generation and a step into a more lenient and liberal society these types of patrons still participate in body art but so do doctors, lawyers, or just the run of the mill house mom. Tattoos signify religious beliefs, cultural influence, or each individual’s sole style. Body art is no longer socially offensive, employers are more apt to hiring tatted hopeful applicants, parents are warming up to the idea of their children inking their body and no longer a stranger on the street with a tattoo is necessarily prejudged as a criminal or safety hazard. Tattoos have become more evolved over the years because they have become more of a socially accepted element of the general public.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Tattoos In Nursing

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to tattoo acceptability in the medical setting (2015), there is revealed that millions of people, who have tattoos in today’s society increase by 13 % since 2007 and especially approximately 42% of adults have tattoos (Tattoo Acceptability in the Medical Setting, 2015).

    Read More

  • Essay On Tattoos

    2351 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about Tattoos in the Workplace and Personal Experience Having Tattoos

Open Document