| Tattoo A Body Art or a Body Mutilation? |
| �Body art is everywhere these days. Tattoo designs are exhibited in galleries; pierced belly buttons are trendy among fashion models; Greek symbols are traditionally branded into fraternity brothers� skin. It seems as if the whole world has rediscovered the ancient art of decorating one�s body with permanent marks. The permanent marks are part of what define us as human beings. They are a means of self-expression and a vehicle of self-awareness, two qualities that separate us from other living things on this planet. Tattooing, piercing, and other adornments have been used for centuries in rites of passage, in religious rituals, or as a form or tribal identification�in all cultures� (Miller 1). Tattooing has been acceptable for thousand of years; however, today�s parents unjustly react to body piercing and tattooing in many negative ways by saying that it is medically dangerous, socially unaccepted, ugly, a bad habit, and it may have unwanted consequences. Children may wonder why their parents are against their tattoos. One reason is that parents might believe it is medically dangerous. However, there are safe techniques now for tattooing which eliminate these problems. The key point is to find the right tattoo artist and ask the right questions. In order to do this, there are several factors to be considered. As Corey states on her website, the factors are artistic ability, technical skill, and sterility. Having sterile equipment can prevent the spread of serious infections, including hepatitis. Visit several tattoo artists to find the right artist. Make sure that they have a heat sterilization machine that is used to sterilize equipment between customers. Ask questions or friends that have had tattoos. Ask about their experience, cost, pain, and healing time (www.bmezine.com). Children may ask what causes negative attitudes about tattooing. It could be the fear of how people will view someone with a tattoo. People may view kids as bikers, drug users, or junkies. However, there have been famous people with tattoos such as Lady Randolph Churchill (Winston�s mother). She had a snake tattooed around her wrist. There is other cultures practice tattooing for ornamental, cosmetic, and religious purposes. In the late nineteenth century, tattooed royalty in England and European countries were fashionable. According to the Virtual Hospital, during the 17th and 18th centuries, European sailors traveling through the Polynesian islands saw extensive tattooing on both men and women (www.vh.org). Children may ask how they can change these negative attitudes. When parents think tattooing is ugly and a disfigurement, children can point out there are cultures and others who consider it an art form. This art form is used to express, memories, fashion, and rite of passage. Moreover; there are some designs such as flowers, dragons, and roses that are very beautiful. There have always been individuals who look at tattooing as a form of �growing up.� For example, in �Tattoo as Rite of Passage into Adulthood�, Twinkle said, � I had my first tattoo when I was 20 years old as a testament to the fact that I was no longer a teenager! I had wanted a tattoo ever since I can remember� (http://tattoo.about.com/library/bltest27.htm). Will tattoos ever become socially acceptable? As more people have tattoos, it will become more acceptable. A million years ago, the male Egyptians always wore earrings. Then that trend stopped. Suddenly now, it�s acceptable again for males have earrings. Similarly, it was also fine for men to have long hair in the past. But then it wasn�t socially accepted, and then it stopped. But now as more people have long hair, it�s fine for men to have long hair. It is the same for tattooing (DeMello 191). |