Thinking Before You Start Inking

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...

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...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.