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Negative Impact of Tattoos

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Tattoos have decorated bodies for centuries. From religious beliefs, to punishment, to adornment, tattoos have reflected personal stories for each of the bodies it marks. In the modern era, tattoos have become a form of art in which people use to express their individualities. Although one may consider marking their bodies as a positive form of self expression, tattoos can have lasting negative effects on one’s physical, social, and professional lives.

Physically, getting a tattoo involves many risks. Even with the technology available in the 21st century and advances made to improve safety, there are still many medical complications that can result after one gets a tattoo. Some risks are minor, while some are more serious …show more content…

Depending on the person’s professional line of work, a tattoo can make or break their career. Some professions may require attire that exposes more skin than other occupations. The company may want to ensure that tattoos are able to be covered in order to present that company’s particular image. These factors need to be considered by those people with tattoos that are active in the job market.

When someone is seeking employment, it is important to create a positive first impression. This impression should convince a prospective employer that his or her appearance is suitable for the company’s image. The first thing the interviewer sees is the candidate’s physical appearance. Unfortunately, if someone has a visible tattoo, he or she is most likely going to be viewed as “trashy” in the conservative, professional world (Business & Legal Reports, 2005). A survey conducted by Vault (2007) reveals that 85% of respondents think tattoos impede one’s chances of finding a job (Business & Legal Reports, 2007). Similarly, a survey conducted by the Employment Law Alliance (2005) reveals that 39% of Americans should be able to deny employment based on tattoos (Business & Legal Reports, 2005). These survey results clearly show that the negative stigma associated with tattoos can hurt a person’s quest in securing future employment. Because of this negative connotation, most tattooed persons face an immediate disadvantage the moment they enter a job

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