Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Effects of body image on young people
Effects of body image on young people
Effects of body image on young people
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Effects of body image on young people
The lives of average teenagers are filled with perceived angst, usually due to the pressure to conform by society, and more and more of them are trying to claim independence by permanently marking their skin. A survey conducted by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 36 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo (Associated Press). However, the study did not look at minors who had tattoos, probably due to the fact that 39 states have laws prohibiting minors from getting tattoos and thirty-one states have laws that prohibit both piercing and tattooing on minors without parental permission (National Conference of State Legislatures). However, the focus of this paper will be on the state of Texas, and Texas Health and Safety Code Ann. §146.012, which “Prohibits anyone from performing a tattoo on a person under age 18 without the consent of a parent or guardian who believes it is in the best interest of the minor to cover an obscene or offensive tattoo. Required consent may be the physical presence of the individual's parent or guardian or the provision of evidence that he or she is the parent or guardian of the person who is getting the tattoo” (National Conference of State Legislatures). While the law prohibits minors from getting tattoos in Texas, there may be heated debate in households as minors try to convince their parents to give them permission to tattoo. Minors need to realize that tattoos are permanent, and that waiting until they are of age will give them a better sense of judgment when it comes to permanently scarring their bodies.
Much of the non-tattooed population does not truly understand the tattoo process, and how it has become safer. However the process o...
... middle of paper ...
...ercare of their tattoo if they want it to heal quickly and be as bright as possible" (Beckerman). Trusting a minor to do that, might make them better adults, but learning to take the time for big decisions is lesson that will help them get along in life on a much smoother path.
Works Cited
Associated Press. Survey Shows That 24 Percent of Americans Ages 18-50 Are Tattooed. 23 July 2006. Web. 14 March 2012.
Beckerman, Gerry. Interview with Tattoo Artist, "Inkslinger" Karen L. Hudson. 13 March 2012. web.
Bernstein, Niel. How To Keep Your Teenager Out of Trouble and What To Do If You Can't. New York City: Workman Publishing Company Inc., 2001. Print.
Dickson, Amy. "Why Not Tattoo." Time (1999): 41. Print.
National Conference of State Legislatures. Tattooing and Piercings for Minors. October 2011. Web. 14 March 2012.
Tattoos. April 2009. Web. 14 March 2012.
The overall policy explains the overall key points of how parental consent is required for tattooing, branding, and body piercing for anyone under the age of eighteen (Idaho Code 18-1523. (2004). It is explained throughout the bill, of how no one under the age of fourteen may acquire any form of tattooing, branding, or body piercing; as well, that no person should knowingly tattoo, brand or perform body piercings on a minor between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years unless the person obtains previous written informed consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian (Idaho Code 18-1523. (2004). The policy allows guardians, and parents to help guide minors from unsafe conditions as minors are not emotionally and physically mature enough to decide for themselves on conditions that are permanent and that can be regretted the rest of the minor’s life (Manning, 2013).
These tattoos are usually done by unlicensed artists, outside of parlors and are popular among young adults.
Body modifications, with the focus of tattoos, have existed in our society for centuries and the way in which it is perceived has changed somewhat over the years, yet certain dishonors still remain our modern day. Like most body modifications, tattoos are an often misunderstood form of body modification. Despite the stigmas, tattoos have become a unique object of desire to endless diverse groups of people. But are the popular assumptions of tattoos out of sync with the true meaning behind them? Further explanation and exploration of the history will reveal the social and cultural practices of tattooing and the causal connection between the mind and the tattooed body, in addition to providing answers as to why tattoos stimulate uneasiness and curiosity and create a challenge to discursive practices.
Society has changed in many ways over the years; at one point tattoos were considered unprofessional and disgusting to most people, but today, they are quite common amongst young adults and people who enjoy art. Parents and people of many older generations, sometimes struggle to understand why this new interest in tattoos has been able to consume American culture so quickly. Prior to this boom of interest in tattoos, there were many horror stories that surrounded the subject due to unsanitary tools used and possible diseases a person could catch if a mistake was made. Lois Desocio is one of those adults who has struggled to understand tattoos, especially since her son Alec began to fill his body with them. As Alec’s collection of body art continues
Dickinson, L., Dukes, R. L., Smith, H., & Strapko, N. (2015). To Ink Or Not To Ink: The Meaning of Tattoos Among College Students. College Student Journal, 49(1), 106-120. Retrieved from http://www.galileo.usg.edu.
Minors should be able to get tattoos and piercings without parental consent. Minors have their own mentality, body and thoughts. If a minor wants to decorate their body, then they should have that right to do so, regardless of any other opinions. Minors should be able to make their own decisions with their bodies to learn consequences and lessons or they can show off and be proud of it. Parents should be supportive of their children expressing themselves, but of course, support them safely.
The issue about people thinking Ohio law is too strict or too lenient is obscured. Ohio lets its people make their own decision and that’s perfectly fine considering America is supposed to be the land of free choice anyway. Would you want your child to go behind your back? If a child is told no they are more obligated to go behind everyone’s back and do it anyway. But if it’s just free and they are given a choice I see tattoo and piercings do decreasing in the future. If not I could see jobs and schools accepting more and more people with body arts because it will be hard to find someone without
Although there has been an increase in tattooing the demand for removal has also increased (Kirkby et al 2009) and this has led some to believe tattoos are simply a fashion fad and its permanence
The topic of tattoos in America can most effectively be summarized into two pivotal moments in history: the cultural diffusion of the practice through European immigration in the 1800s, and its diffusion from one socioeconomic class into a widespread movement in the last fifteen years through various media outlets.
Starting off as juices and markings, tattoos were nothing more than ways of identification and personalization. Rubbing juices extracted from plants onto your face and arms is the most notable to people. Also using bone needles and pigments to tattoo in a more modern fashion was common. Ancient descendants used what they had and although it wasn’t painless and easy, it worked.
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.
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.
Dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries North American tattooing originated in the island of Tahiti, and other small pacific islands including Samoa and Hawaii (DeMello). The modification by U.S tattooists was to “fit a local sensibility emphasizing patriotism rather than exoticism” (DeMello). Martin Hildebrandt, was the first known tattoo artist in the United States as a professional. Shortly after the first mechanical tattooing machine was created, up until this point tattoos had been done by hand. A tattoo machine was invented because tattoos become a fad with mili...
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).