Tattoos Effect On A Person's Identity

Tattoos might look cool but they can cause some difficulties later on in life. People automatically make assumptions about someone covered in body art. Not to mention, many employers do not want their customers to get the wrong idea about their company. Overall because body ink is not widely accepted people aiming to get one should really think about it.

The rising popularity of tattoos and body piercing is more than just the latest fashion craze. This type of body art has been a part of this world for thousands of years. Tattoos and piercings have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment (Smithsonian.com). In the later years (1940 – 2000) tattoos and piercings were more common among teenagers and young adults, but now, people of all ages are expressing themselves through body art. To try and understand this rise in the desire to permanently mark ones self, we must first determine the origin and history of tattoos and piercings.

Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, and John Fetterman they all have something in common and that is tattoos. I am here to argue that tattoos can view as freedom of expression, strong Naval tradition, and more importantly no hindrance on job performance. The Marine Corps should have no restrictions on tattoos. Over the past 50 years’ tattoos have continued to grow in popularity, yet the Marine Corps wants to place restrictions on their service members; claiming their policy is design to help their service members to maintain a discipline appearance. It would be proven that tattoo is viewed as favorable by royalty and the elite.

On the most basic level, tattoos acted as a badge of social and cultural differentiation that separated the tattooed from the non-tattooed. On a deeper level, however, social and cultural homogeneity did not unite the tattooed, for the subject matter and aesthetic style of the tattoos created a fault-line that divided the classes. (Caplan, 2000, 148)

We as a society continuously pass judgements on people, and stamp them with some sort of false identification that doesn’t fully begin to describe them. Stereotypes is a wide understanding and or image constructed on a certain party of people, to stereotype is to form an opinion on a person based on appearance with no factual evidence to support your claim. Now, when you see people with tattoos , body piercings, or even dreadlocks you begin to form opinions on that person. It’s called judging a book by it’s cover, but it’s so commonly done that it doesn’t seem like you’re doing anything wrong when you’re judging that person. In two separate texts titled, “Tattoos and Body Piercings: Self Expression or Self Mutilation?” by Elizabeth Chabner Thompson, and “Dreadlocked,” by Veronica Chambers, it’ll explain the different stereotypes and repercussions of getting tattoos, body piercings, or dreadlocks. Which brings me to the question; What causes one to choose certain forms of expression and/or appearance? And what are the effects of these choices? People think of the additions to their appearance (tattoos, piercings, hairstyles) as a form of expression, but often times they forget the negatives of these features such as; permanence, stereotyping, and possible medical risks.

What does a professional Medical Assistant wear to work? How about to an interview? And how do tattoos and piercings affect the perception that prospective employers, fellow employees and patients form about an applicant? Manner of dress and personal appearance present a lasting first impression that can counterbalance an outstanding resume, and can make or break the chance to gain employment in the medical field.

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.

With much apprehension starting the learning spec project for my Introduction to Communication class, it begins as I walk up to the doors of Loyalty Tattoo in New Philadelphia, Ohio. When Loyalty first opened in October of 2010, it had a sterile demeanor and a passerby might question what kind of shop it was. Today, Loyalty has come a long way and is now a booming tattoo business, woven and snug in the heart of the community in the New Philadelphia mall.

Body art modification has changed drastically over the last several decades. The negative association that society has with tattoos is beginning to become over looked as the newer generations are adapting more and more. The younger crowd has begun to embrace the tattooed culture either through self-expression or stylistic body modifications, although the social stigmas still remain evident. Despite the military’s current views on tattoos, countless military members also still fully embrace their ink. The overall cultural associations of tattoos, although they have changed drastically since the earlier times of prison and military associations, have grown more appealing to a broader group of society.

Throughout history, the growth and development of the maritime industry has been fueled by technology, innovation, and regulation. While the day-to-day goings on of modern sailors has changed drastically over time, one thing has remained fairly consistent: tattoos. Few things have captivated the maritime industry like tattoos; whether they were used to show a sailor’s rank, prestige, or to highlight their past travels, tattoos became synonymous with the sailor. Tattoos within the maritime culture can be split into three categories: military, nautical and superstitious.

How many people do you know that either has piercings unnatural hair color, tattoos or have more than one of each? Now think about the number of people you know, think about their personality; are they outgoing, rebellious, shy? Does their appearance affect their personality or the way you think about them? Think about those people you have in your mind throughout this essay, think about if and how they are affected by having those unnatural hair colors, tattoos, and piercings, just think… Now act as if you are hiring for the job position you have right now, you’re the boss in this situation, but… would you hire them?

We live in a world of people being very subjective to one another. If you do not look “normal”, there must be something wrong with you. One of the defining characteristics of “normal” can be someone without body modifications. People with tattoos have been viewed many different ways. If you have a tattoo, you must be a drug user or convict; you must be unstable if you have tattoos; most people with tattoos are completely unintelligent. I am not the tattoos on my body. I am more than what others view; I am better than that.

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

The trend of tattooing was first observed in the late 1700’s - sailors during that time returned home sporting tattoos from overseas to celebrate their expeditions (Fisher, 2002). However, this act of voluntary tattooing was more prominently recognized in the American Civil War, where soldiers gradually began tattooing their allegiances and military symbols on their bodies (Caplan, 2000).

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