A Matter of Opinion || TATS

[nathanyal]

----- A MATTER OF OPINION

`` On Tattoos

Ok, so, here's the thing... my sister has two children, one of which just recently graduated. Another thing my sister has is tattoos. A couple of them, two of which I am certain of. SO, there is this... her 18yr old daughter just got her nose pierced at a local tattoo/piercing shop. Everyone is commenting on her page about how "it at least takes place of a tat" and all that. Like tats are a bad thing. My sister even commented saying that if her daughter even discussed a tattoo before she was 21 that she would be "will be cut off from the luxuries she has become quite accustomed too". It's not like my sister has no ink... almost everyone in our family does... I myself happen to have two (so far, a few more are being designed) and I got both of them prior to my 21st birthday.

So, here is my question... would you get a tattoo before you were 21 and if you had a child would you restrict them to tattoos only after the age of 21?

I have an 8 month old little girl and if he wanted a tattoo, I would allow it. If she was 18 and still living in my home I'd really like to SEE the tattoo idea before she got it (to make sure it wasn't a boy's name or something) and if she had something really important she wanted done (like a memorial to a friend who passed way or something) prior to the age of 18, I'd let her get it as long as she was 16+ and it was tasteful.

In my opinion, tattoos are a way of expressing ones self and are beautiful pieces of art that compliment out heart and inner soul. I don't see anything wrong with a tattoo if it is done correctly and within reason.

Thoughts?


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note:: that image is not one of my tats. just something i saw online that's nifty lol
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[alex]

Honestly, I'd never get a tattoo because that's just not something I'm into. But as long as the person has thought it through and the tattoo is tasteful and/or has some kind of deeper meaning to the person, I don't see what the problem is.

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

I think that, when it comes to underage tattooing, there needs to be a decent reason for it. When my grandfather died, my mother designed a tattoo for the entire family and the only one who didn't get it was me, as I personally am not a fan of needles or pain (Unlike Snape, i'm a bit of a chickenshit) However, my then-15 year old sister did get it on her back. My mother has it on her foot, my cousin has it on his arm, etc. A memorial tattoo I think is significant enough that, if its something the person really wants, is acceptable.

I think that younger individuals should have to talk to their parents about tattoos regardless of how many tattoos said parent has, because frankly, tattoos never go away. My dad hides his Wiley E. Coyote tattoo on his arm that he got when he was sixteen, which in my opinion is something that, if he'd discussed it with his parents first, he might have double-thought that particular tattoo.

I love art and I love tattoos, personally. I think they are beautiful and expressive. However coming from a management perspective, I also know how badly people can be judged by them and how difficult they can make things at times. My mother is a highly educated woman who is over-qualified for a lot of positions, and has been turned down because her tattoos were considered unprofessional. While most of hers can be covered, she has certain ones, like a cross on her neck that she got in memory of her uncle, that is less easy to conceal.

As such, I think that one needs to really think about the tattoo in question and where they want to place it, and how it will affect them 10 years down the road. Consider it seriously, beyond the thought of what it means to you now, but what it means to you in the future. If my child put that sort of commitment into their reasoning, I would allow them to get a tattoo before being 21. If they couldn't provide me that sort of reasoning, then I would probably forbid it until they could.

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[colden]

Well here in England it's illegal to get a tattoo until you are 18 and when I was 19/20 I got one, my dad wasn't thrilled but he's come to accept it. Honestly I believe that if it's illegal to get one, don't but as long as you are of age to have it then it's no big deal

[amber]

It's illegal in most states in the US to get a tattoo before your 18, too (it might be 17, I'm not 100% on that). My cousin is a tattoo artist and he did my sister's illegally a few years ago. But as far as I'm concerned, if you're an adult, you can make your own choices. I don't even need to see it. It's your body.

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

Its illegal to get a tattoo in Canada before you're 18, unless you have a consent form signed by your parents. Which gives parents a modicum of control over the situation, in my opinion. If the kid really wants a tattoo, the parent can either point out its against the law and tell them no, or they can discuss it over and decide to sign the form.

Again though, ultimately, I think its a decision that should be made after serious consideration, and never on a whim.

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[nymphadoratonks]

Honestly, I wouldn't. Only because I know that I am scared of needles, and not only that, I have no need to get one right now. That being said, the other half of me says I would because I do want one. A really, really small one. I am 17, and I think my dad would let me because if I were to ask him about it, I probably still wouldn't actually do it. My mom would say no. Most of the kids in my school have tattoos in honor of a girl who was recently killed in a car crash. I think that if it's a in memory of someone, my parents would let me.

That being said, I also know that with the career path I am one right now, I can't have tattoos that will be visible unless I want to be pegged negatively. If you look up any actors or actresses with tattoos, they are generally considered 'bad'. Stupid, I know. Your niece should really consider that, she should be absolutely certain any tattoos won't interfere with her career path.

Seeing the tattoo and knowing it's location is good. That should be one of the conditions. Also, if your sister goes with her daughter, it might also be a good idea. Overall, I believe that if your niece thinks she is ready for it, she is. I feel like letting her grow up and make her own bad decisions, even if this one can't be easily removed or covered, is essential. The more your sister tells her no and makes a big deal of it, the more tempted her daughter will be. The best way I learn is from making mistakes, and being a 17-18 year old in the society is not easy when you are told 'no' all the time. It is really the start of your future, so I say let her get the tattoo.

[colden]

I'm hoping to go into a career path of acting and have a tattoo, only a small one on my shoulder which is very easily covered up [the bra strap hides most of it] and to be honest loads of celebs have them and are successful despite it [have you seen johnny depp?] and as far as i'm concerned the tattoo i have is very symbolic of both my faith, my love of japanese culture and also serves as a momentum to a very dear friend of mine who died who basically introduced me to my passion for japan

[nymphadoratonks]

Okay, well maybe I should clarify. I agree with you Char, that on some actors, it doesn't matter. For me (small, and very much child looking) my type casting is younger. I wouldn't be able to get a tattoo and expect the type of roles I am used to. (I can still play a thirteen year old.)