Societal
perceptions of tattoos changing — ink
up
Brigid
McGuire
As
the pain numbs your skin and the beads
of sweat roll down your back, all you
can do is smile and know it’s worth
it. Tattoos are becoming ever more popular,
with even the most innocent looking people
showing off their ink.
However, even with this new appreciation, there are still many frowning the
choice. They point their fingers and mutter, “You’ll regret that
someday.” Yet, many of these people applaud plastic surgery and go under
the knife without a second thought.
The reality TV programs based on plastic surgery make me wonder if the United
States has that low of self-esteem as to risk a health hazard just to conform
to society’s unrealistic expectations. Health experts say the number
of young girls getting plastic surgery is alarming; there are even parents
giving breast augmentations for high school graduation.
In comparison, tattoos are a minor risk compared to a major surgery. Many people
believe tattoo parlors are dirty and one gets a virus merely looking through
the window. This is not the case; all law-abiding parlors monitored by the
U.S. Health Department use sterile needles.
Tattoos can have deep meaning, artistic expression and self-identification.
Many cultures all over the world hold tattoos as a sign of beauty, age, wisdom
and identification. The Japanese have been tattooing for hundreds of years
as symbols of strength and power. Samurai would get tattoos to intimidate their
enemies and remember their hardships of war. Many Japanese symbols have been
adopted by western cultures, such as the koi fish and mythical dragons.
Some tattoos are even memorials for lost loved ones. These tattoos, which could
be a name, picture or symbol, seem to be the most popular. It is a bold statement
to carry a memory with you for the rest of your life.
And then there are the people who get tattoos just for the artistic expression.
The person feels empowered and beautiful with their own personal pieces of
artwork, which will never look the same on anyone else and in turn makes them
a walking gallery. Go to any tattoo convention and experience the different
types of art walking around and you may be surprised.
With shows like “Inked” and “Miami Ink” the world of
tattooing is becoming more main stream, but there are still many limitations.
My own father thinks I am mad, but understands that these are my life choices.
I am proud to wear my ink and when I am old and my ink doesn’t look the
same anymore, who cares. In the name of all tattooed people everywhere: no
regrets, no shame.
Brigid McGuire is a junior journalism major and calendar editor of the
Daily Forty-Niner. |
