Tattoo Culture In America

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

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.

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.

When everyone looks and acts remotely the same, people end up losing their individual identity. When people feel like they are losing their individuality, they try to find ways to redefine their uniqueness in society. One of the more efficient and permanent ways of self-identification is by giving yourself a tattoo. Tiffany Cross studied this ideal of self-identification in her article, Stigmatization or Decoration: Tattoo as Deviance, a Cross-Cultural Study, where she says that, “the tattoo historically has been that symbol of rebellion, and here we see the tattoo emerging as a symbol of values and beliefs anew. The individual establishes his or her independence because the tattoo as a symbol is still enough to visually separate oneself from society at large” (Cross 20). Most of the time, tattoos are very meaningful, and hold some sort of value for the person who has them. By having a meaningful design constantly a part of you, people have essentially rediscovered themselves. Tattoos can also act as symbols of memories or influential experiences for a person. They are a constant reminder of an event that someone wants to feel and reminisce in every day of their lives. Tattoos can definitely have a large underlying meaning for the people who get

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.

Different cultures tattoo for different reasons like, protection, rank in society, adornment of the body and coming of age. Regardless of why people are tattooed, they have been tattooing since before the birth of Christ.

Tattoos are changing because more and more people are realizing that the reputations associated with tattoos are not usually true. Tattoo culture is not in any way, shape or form different from my culture. My culture is American and the tattoo culture that I chose to do is based on the American side of tattooing. Today tattoos are seen as more of a way of expressing oneself as opposed to being seen as destruction to the body. American tattoo culture is unique because it gives people a sense of individuality to express themselves. It gives the quiet people a voice and the outgoing people a way to express themselves other than speaking. Tattoos speak to people. Some tattoos mean peace, tranquility, and happiness while other tattoos may mean

In order to fully understand this significance, one must first understand what a tattoo actually is. Dictionary.com states that a tattoo is “the act or practice of marking the skin with indelible patterns, pictures, legends, etc., by making punctures in it and inserting pigments” (2016). Knowing this definition allows people to understand that tattooing is considered an art--even by the dictionary’s definition. When people

Tattoos are marks with an indelible designs that is perminant to the body. Some Tattoos could have some meaning behind it, other could be because they like the way it looks. Tattoos were viewed as bad, but as time has progressed it has changed people’s attitude against them. Tattoos has define the emergin culture. It has defined our culture because it expresses how people are, it act like a tribute, and it shows diversity.

Answer 1: Many people choose to get tattoos for multiple reasons and while these individuals view it on a personal level, sociologist understand there are trends and outside influences involved when it comes to “getting inked”. According to Kang and Jones, individuals get tattoos as it allows them to define who they are, gain a sense of belonging, and identify with their own personal struggles (42). As teenagers and young adults go out into the world they often have a desire to control their own life and make their own choices. They may wish to express themselves in a permanent, artistic way, that gives them a sense of freedom. For others tattooing connects them with a group they feel attached to. For example, neo-primitives typically cover their whole bodies in artistic tattoos and consider it a way of connecting with the past and yourself spiritually (45). On a more common level, individuals will get a tattoo of a sports team they played on, or a symbol that belongs to their culture or religion. Their tattoos will remind them of who they are and what truly matters to them. Lastly, some choose to get tattoos because they’ve overcome a deep personal battle. It varies from cancer survivors, to veterans, or even those who have dealt with self-harm. Understandably, there are numerous social reason why individuals decide to obtain a tattoo.

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.

An individual’s image is important when meeting somebody for the first time, an employer, family, peers, even strangers that a person might encounter while walking down the street can be judgmental. When are where did the world’s culture change with regards to tattoos? Tattoos were once considered a “rite of passage in some primitive cultures” (Johnson, Ileana, 2015), they were also linked to gang affiliations, military unity, “spirituality, devotion, religion, rewards and awards for bravery, amulets, talismans and security. Tattoos were also used as a symbol of punishments, being outcast, slavery and conviction” (A Brief History of Tattoos and Body Art, 2015). With shows like “LA Ink”, “Bad Ink, and “Miami Ink” body art is no longer looked as an offensive act but being used as a statement of freedom and worn by people of all ages from around the world.

Granted tattoos have become huge part of the modern day. Tattoos have slowly become another social norm, actually becoming a common sight in the workplace. In everyday routines we can see Doctors, lawyers, police officers, or scientists with artwork adorning their skin. However, there will always be some people that do not believe in marking their skin. Whether from religion, tradition, or fear of being judged. Of course there are still stigmas surrounding ink, like being a felon or gang

Tattoos have become a part of people’s lives. Thirty years ago, one out of every one hundred people had at least one tattoo (Feygin, NP), so you can imagine how high the numbers are now. People get tattoos because they are personal to them. Tattoos are a form of art for most people, something occurs in their lives and they get it permanently on their skin to represent a memory. “A tattoo is defined as an indelible mark fixed upon the body by inserting pigment under the skin” (Dinter, 15). Tattoos are a way for people to express themselves; therefore, they should be allowed to be visible in the workplace.

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