Running head: FROM STIGMA TO STATUS 1
From stigma to status
RODY DAHER HILMI MAALIKI MOUHAMAD ENG201 LIU January, 3, 2018
FROM STIGMA TO STATUS 2
Abstract
Tattoos have become a popular form of expression in the United States. Originally, tattoos were common among sailors, military personnel, bikers, prostitutes, and jail-mates. Now, however, the use of tattoos is increasing among professionals and other people. Why has tattooing become such a phenomenon in the past decade? Many people feel that it is because people who get tattoos want to express their individuality, appeal to opposite sex, or rebel against the expectations of society.
FROM STIGMA TO STATUS 3
FROM STIGMA TO STATUS
Tattooing
A Career in the tattoo industry has always been a fantasy of mine, I’ve had a lot of dreams for what I want to do when I’m all grown up and I can honestly say that a tattoo artist will always be one of them. Ever since I could remember I’ve had a talent for anything art wise. My favorite hobby has always been drawing. As a kid I enjoyed looking at and hearing about everyone’s tattoos. They’re just permanent drawings on someone’s body. Your body is like a temple for your soul, and I think that tattoos are just decorations. They tell the souls story, and make the body look like a beautiful book of life. It’s like a unique way of telling your story, through the art all over your temples walls. Every tattoo has a meaning and a story behind it.
For some people tattoos are being used as a known accessory, the reason on why do people make the decision to get them is hardly if ever even questioned. The pain, the stereotypes, and the misconceptions that are often associated with tattoos would pose the question as to why would you choose to get a tattoo. Tattoos can be personal and good way of expressing yourself. Most people, they are shown as different symbols that each have an equal level of significance. The essential of each tattoo have each found the symbolism of them, and their cultural relevance has consistently been a trend found throughout history, religion, and art.
The families in these photos have no shame! From wild hair to wild animals, these awkward family photos will have you rolling on the floor laughing. My all time favorite is the family with the tattoos; what in the world were they thinking?!
One in every five Americans have a tattoo. It is no longer surprising to see people with markings on their bodies. Many believed it is a form of self-expression. Even though some cultures or religions view tattoos as a negative thing, that does not stop people from getting them. To have a better understanding about tattoos we must go back and trace how it all began. From the tools, they used to the ink, it is incredible how tattooing has evolved over the years.
A tattoo is a mark with an intricate design on the flesh by inserting pigment into the skin. In “Tattoos Gain Even More Visibility”, Trebay discusses how tattoos and body modifications are progressively becoming the norm in today’s society. Trebay is an author at the New York Times and writes mainly about fashion. He discusses the potential affects markings and piercings pose on everyday life.
Tattoos have been dated back to 5000 BCE. Tattoos have played the role of being badges of honor, ceremonial markings, signs off social rank, forms of punishment, and of course ways for people to beautify themselves (The Cultural History of Tattoos). Over the past years, tattoos has increased and continues to increase significantly in popularity. According to statistics, 36% of American adults in the U.S. between the ages of 18-25 and 40% of American adults in the U.S. between the ages of 26-40 have at least one tattoo (Seth). While the trend of getting tattoos are increasing, the concerns of the employers starts to increase. People who have tattoos should not be discriminated because it is unethical, a form of self-expression, and art.
Sin City Ink is one of the premier tattoo shops in LAs Vegas. Located near the strip, this shop holds 20 plus experienced and skillful artist who can and will deliver some of the most outrageous and detailed tattoo designs around, that amazingly mimics the originals or even stands on its own as its own customized design brought to life through your ideas. . A top rated tattoo shop, Custom Ink is credibly reviewed as one of the best of the best in LAs Vegas.
Let's say we get the place in May, and we had June, July and August to organize the convention.
Would you prefer your child to have a safe tattoo or a potentially life threatening disease? Having the legal age for getting a tattoo lowered to 16 can prevent disease, spread tattoo businesses, teach responsibility to young adults, and allow today’s younger generation to express themselves through art. In society today, it is becoming more and more normal to see tattoos on younger people. Instead of a new haircut or a new pair of shoes, younger people like to get a new tattoo or a new piercing.
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.
I always wanted a tattoo and I tried making a deal with my parents to get one but my dad wouldn't let me, so I always decided to get a tattoo kit and just do it myself but I never wanted to waste all my money on it so I relinquished the tattoo kit for partying because I thought partying was always more important. I always thought why pay $200 for one tattoo gun when you could get so much other stuff instead and spend time with friends.
American tattoo tradition began primarily with sailors which cultivated a culture of tattooing for several reasons. One main reason was to ensure they had defining, distinguishing marks on their bodies to avoid the British ships from forcibly taking American sailors to the British Navy. Secondly, it was to remind themselves of where they had been from their voyages to foreign countries, such as Japan and the Pacific Islands. In the beginning, tattoos were not a part of American culture. People like bikers, soldiers, criminals, gang members and circus freaks were the only people who displayed them because it was considered “distasteful”. After the 1970s, the attitudes towards tattoos begin to soften with the help of punk, counter-culture movements, rebelliousness, and anarchy.
“Tattoos have a power and magic all their own. They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul.” That’s when I knew I wanted to be a tattoo artist after realizing the true meaning and passion behind being a tattoo artist. This quote by Michelle Delio helps explain/express being a tattoo artist a lot easier. By giving tattoos a mind or their own and expressing how it can help express ones feelings. After realizing what I want to be I decided I wanted to own my own business of a tattoo parlor and become a tattoo artist myself, that’s when college comes in mind. The Art Institution of Dallas, a campus of South University, was named one of the “five Hand-letters and Calligraphers You Need to know” and will help students to learn to think both strategically and creatively in the marketing field.
Tattoos today are recognized as totally different than what they were pictured as in the past. “Tattooing is recognized by government agencies as both an art form and a profession and tattoo-related art work is the subject of museum, gallery and educational institution art shows across the United States.” [ (Levins,
In the past, tattoos were commonly thought of as trashy or bad. One would often relate them to bikers, rock and heavy metal stars, pirates, or gangsters. That has considerably changed over the years. According to Swan, "In 2003 approximately 40 million Americans reported to have at least one tattoo." Today's culture is still fascinated with tattooing. In the 1990s, tattoos were the sixth fastest growing retail behind the Internet, paging services, computer and cell phone services. 28% of adult’s ages 30-39 were tattooed and that number rose to 36 percent in the 25-29 age group. 31% of the gay, lesbian and bisexual population, regardless of age, was inked as well. Tattoos are significant because they