Humans have marked their bodies with tattoos for thousands of years. Recordings of the first known tattoo date back to 2000 B.C. on a famous Egyptian mummy known as Otzi, an iceman, who was found near the Italian-Austrian border in 1991 (Lineberry). These permanent designs—sometimes plain, sometimes elaborate, and almost at all times personal—have served a variety of different meanings. It is up to us to determine the reasoning and significance behind them. Studies have found that people cannot fully control the meaning of their own tattooed bodies. The social contexts in which they live shape the responses to and interpretations of their tattoos by others (Jones 266). Tattooing has changed tremendously in the past couple of decades; virtuosity—improved color and more details, expansive imagery—and socially, to the point where it has “fully entered the middle class,” (Heller). This is what has caused so much confliction as to why people get tattoos in the first place and the meaning behind them as well as the rising popularity. The very known and obvious reason that people get tattoos is that it is a form of art and self-expression. Some tattoo enthusiasts exhibit a broad array of tattoo expression through a discreet flower on their hip to full-body and facial tattoos. Tattoos are typically frowned upon by mainstream society. It is difficult to find a job now days if you have visible tattoos, since they require them to be covered up. Tattoos in the workplace can be
First, Many people choose to get a tattoo to commemorate a loved one who has passed or celebrate a special event in their lives. "Tattoos are a wonderful way to keep the memory alive of that special person". When getting a tattoo, people should take the reason into consideration and decide whether it is something they want for a lifetime. Tattoos are very personal and should be treated as such.
Over 45 million people in the United States have at least one tattoo on their body. Many don’t realize how a tattoo can affect their lifestyle. Leeanne Padowski who wrote “Think Before You Ink” article has made a very interesting point on how it affects people’s lives. Tattoos can affect you on the job marketing, your appearance and your health.
Traditionally, tattoos were meant for sailors, soldiers, bikers and gangs. Along with several changes in the industrialized and technological society of the twenty-first century, the standard for getting body modifications have altered as well. Everyday, people are willing to get permanently marked as an individual choice rather than the customarily perception of belonging to a certain group. Tattoo and piercing shops are not seen as “the backstreet” of the commercial civilization today, it is somewhat an expected sight in all public places. Josie Appleton in “The Body
Body modifications have existed in our society for centuries and the way in which it is perceived has changed somewhat over the years. But certain stigmas still persists to this contemporary day. One such body modification is the act of inking or marking the skin: Tattooing. 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 diverse groups of people. But are the popular perceptions of tattoos out of synch with the true meaning behind them? This essay will explore the social and cultural practices of tattooing and the causal connection between the mind and the tattooed body. It will also explore why tattoos engender
Tattoos have been around throughout our history, from Egyptian times to the present day. Many people may say they know the history of tattoos, and where they originate from, but do they really? Does one know that there were reasons that some people had tattoos? There may be people who know the actual history of tattoos and body art and why one would decide to get one; however there are people who do not. To be able to understand the idea of tattoos, one should educate themselves to the history of tattoos. Although tattoos have been considered taboo and a stereotype, history reveals that this particular form of body art has been used for self expression, status and
A study that was conveyed by Viren Swami communicates the satisfaction that people get after obtaining a tattoo. In the investigation of tattoos, it talks about the many diverse ingredients that go into determining how perky someone was with their presentation of themselves before they get a tattoo, and then their new reaction of themselves after receiving the tattoo. Many of the people that were used in the
For as long as there have been people, there have been methods of distinction amongst them. Throughout the years we have discovered ways in which to express our beliefs, our ideals, and our passions. Tattooing has been one of forefront methods in expressing our humanity, or in certain cases, our lack there of. For so many, they have taken on many different representations, each with an equal level of significance. The importance found in the symbolism of tattoos and their cultural relevance has consistently been a trend found throughout history, religion, and art.
Different people have different reasons for tattoos. A tattoo could signify anything to its owner. The owner may also get a tattoo that seems to be an odd representation of what is signifies.
The tattoo is a very old form of body modification, but in spite of that there is still a certain rejection towards those who carry them in a visible area of the body, for some it disfigures what has been created in the image and likeness of God while for others associates this with convicts or gang members mainly because they were one of the first groups to use tattoos to differentiate themselves from the rest of society. But also it is true that there is a very limited understanding about this corporal modification that could be one of the reasons why it can not be appreciated as for how it should be. However, modern society reflects the current popularity of tattooing because it has acquired an entirely artistic meaning to a social expression and a way of identity.
Tattoos in general are a great way to add individuality and beautiful artwork onto your body that lasts a lifetime. Most people either love or hate the idea of people having tattoos. But why is this? Do people just not like how they look or do they just not understand them enough to appreciate the work and effort that goes into creating a beautiful piece of permanent artwork? I believe that if people were to better understand the people that do them, and the process of actually getting them done, that they will accept that they may not be as bad as they think.
The elements of tattooing that are seen as deviant are the fact that tattoos are usually permanent and are difficult to have removed. People who have tattoos are seen as being rebellious and are “trying to stand out from the crowd.” A lot of people get their tattoos when they’re underage. They can often prevent people from getting jobs. They were also commonly seen on gang members and other people or groups who don’t conform to society.
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
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
Certain tattoos can also give you a bad reputation. Such as, having a skull can make adults think that you are part of a biker gang or having certain symbols would associate you with a gang. If you don’t get your parent’s consent for a tattoo and somehow get one, then you will have hide the tattoo in order not to get in trouble. Sometimes, if you have a tattoo showing when you go to a job interview, you might not get the job. Employers feel that their employees should have a nice outer appearance that would look attractive to the customers. Being underage can be a bitch.
There is a long list of cultures that utilised tattoos as a form of decoration and communication (Swami, 2011). That said, within some western societies, that historical connection to the tattoo is not that strong. However the art of tattooing has seen a steady growth of its popularity and acceptance, and since the early 1990s, that growth has accelerated dramatically (Caplan, 2000; Cash, 2011; DeMello, 2000; Swami, 2011). The current estimated incidence of tattooing amongst the populations of North America and Europe is approximately 25 percent (Laumann & Derick, 2006; Swami, 2011), with one researcher suggesting those rates could continue to increase to as much as 40 percent of the population (Anderson, 2006).