The Importance Of Tattoos

The freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment preserves not only an individual’s right to engage in communication, but as will be presented, also their means to do so. Accordingly, tattoos, and by extension the act of

There are multiple reasons for individuals to tattoo their bodies and the reasons are usually individualistic and subjective. The experience of being tattooed is intricately bound up with one’s character,

“Of course, everyone knows the saying "judging a book by its cover" is a reality so there will always be someone who disapproves. The one thing I try to do is be upfront about who I am, which includes my tattoo”. Even though not all tattoos have to have some deep meaning to them, people just want them so they can be different. Even though it’s a paradox since some people get them just to be like someone else, who is well respected in society.

In an article written by Carol Rose, who is a lawyer and journalist and serves as executive director of the Americal Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, she discusses the right to free expression by the way of tattooing. In the article "On pins and needles defending artistic expression" she expands on how, even though tattooing is an ancient form of art that is practiced by many people, it was still illegal in many states throughout America as of the date of the article being written.

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.

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’m going to bring up viewpoint of why people think the way they do. Since my topic is views on how corporations see tattoos and piercings it would help to know why they see them in a negative aspect. So first starting with the history of why tattoos are viewed in a negative way and how it is a rapidly changing society. Also I am going to show the psychological and sociological viewpoints about why some may discriminate against others based on their physical appearance. In the sociological journals it talks about how people with tattoos fit into society differently from those who don't have any because of the ways they flaunt their self expression.

When you think of social issues there are many that come to mind ,but there is one that though it effects many is overlooked. That issue is the acceptance of tattoos into our main stream culture. Tattoos actually have a very long history in our culture but in the past, was concentrated in small out of the way pockets of society like the military and criminals. This has slowly started to change and tattoos have started to make their way into the commonplace. This transition into an age of acceptance is not only moral move but a logical one, this claim can be justified with the with deep traditional roots and personal experience that tattoos hold for the people that adorn their skin with them.

He looks in the mirror, seeing the flowing lines on his body and the memories they contain, wondering if they were mistakes or if the artistic features are an acceptable form of expression.To him they are important memories, but to the people above him on the corporate ladder they’re unprofessional. This man is just one example which is becoming more common to our society.Tattoos as art have positively impacted society, and although there is a very large population of people that have tattoos, there is controversy surrounding this, but the future of tattooing should prove colorful. Those who background knowledge of the tattoo industry will be able to understand its significance.

Tattoos first originated in the west by a captain and his sailors. This group of Navy men returned home with their new pieces of art and were looked at as “oddities” by the people of their hometowns (Burgess 746). Much time has passed and a lot of things have changed since this event in the 1700s. However, looking at people with tattoos differently than people without tattoos has not changed. The main issue is people with tattoos are being discriminated against in the workplace. The number of people with tattoos has increased dramatically within the past decade. Tattoos have now reached a new audience including men and women of many different occupations. Although there are people with tattoos currently in many occupations

They are no longer considered taboo, but a way for people from all races, ages, genders, and ethnicities to express themselves. More and more people are adorning their bodies with art and with all the movie stars and athlete’s that have tattoos, it makes us common people want them even more. Tattoos are considered a fashion statement, an expression of an individual’s character and personality and it is not just the questionable neighbor who has one but your child’s school

They are ubiquitous, having entered the circle of glamour and the main stream of fashion, and they have become increasingly common feature of our urban youth”

As we discussed in class, there are many aspects to culture which vary not only from country to country, but also from person to person. Follow the link to read the article then answer the question below (be sure to answer the ENTIRE question, or you will lose points).

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 tattooing of criminals sustained through the Middle Ages and spread across Europe, making the social practice of marking bodies go hand-in-hand with delinquency, deviance and social outcasts. The practice of marking bodies was later used during the colonization projects in Africa and Asia, and like the branding of criminals, it was used as a means to exert ownership and power over the locals (Fisher, 2002). With such a dark history, how then did the act of tattooing become intended and commoditized?