Changing the Perception of Tattoos

Tattoos have come a long way in society. At one point, tattoos were perceived pessimistically and were negatively perceived by society. For example, it was not your doctor or dentist that had a tattoo on their neck. Instead, it was the stereotypical man that Billy Joel paints in Piano Man, the guy sitting at the bar, drinking away his problems, getting drowned out by cigarette smoke. However, tattoos have come to mean something different in society. Tattoos have become art, a way of expression, and not a degrading attribute but an attribute associated with identity. 

Change over Time

It can be challenging to pinpoint the critical landmark that caused a shift in the way tattoos are understood. Change is a finicky thing because it is important yet hard to trace throughout time. Instead, we can look at how perceptions of tattoos have evolved. So, when did society start accepting tattoos as art, as a way of expression, as being something that enhances the individual rather than degrades them? Of course, there are still people today who hold a traditional opinion of tattoos, but in the increasingly changing world, these views are being overshadowed by a new and influential system of thought. 

Tattoos for Thrill

Tattoos have become an integral part of society. There are many reasons why people decide to permanently ink their skin. When asking someone around me why they may want a tattoo in the future one said because it was "cool." Do you know how some people are “adrenaline junkies” and spend their time jumping off cliffs or skydiving to fulfill a part of themselves? Well, I would argue that tattoos to some extent invoke a similar reaction. That is, tattoos are not something that just anyone can get like alcohol. For example, to be able to get a tattoo you must be of age and or parental consent, and funds to pay for a tattoo. It is a way for individuals to take control of their bodies and express themselves. In a world where you have little control over what you do with your body, this can be a way for people to develop a sense of self. 

Tattoos as Art

Tattoos have also become understood as art. Not only are there different tattooing styles that have emerged, but the possibilities are truly endless. A person may get a neo-traditional tattoo with bold lines, another may get a black and white portrait of their brother who passed away, another may get a new school tattoo that takes them back to a time of fun. The point is that people pay a lot of money and attention to the artwork displayed in galleries. Tattoos are a way for people to be a living art exhibit-to show off what an artist produced through being a walking and living gallery. 

Tattoos for Sentimental Value

Other individuals get tattoos for sentimental reasons. Tattoos are a way for someone to take something with them wherever they go…literally. Tattoos can allow an individual to feel connected with someone or something by carrying it with them wherever they go. It is a beautiful concept. There is the commonly used phrase that floats around death dictating “they will always be with you.” Well, this is a way to ensure that this happens by putting words into action. That is not to say that an individual can not find comfort in spiritual connections, but not everyone is necessarily religious or can accept what they cannot see. A tattoo eliminates that problem because it is something that you can physically point to. 

Tattoos transgressing boundaries

There are many other reasons why other people get tattoos. However, these are two prominent reasons why many people do. What is particularly interesting is that tattoos have overcome the boundaries that once produced negative connotations surrounding tattoos. Tattoos accompany the barista at your favorite coffee place, the surgeon responsible for conducting your wisdom teeth removal, the kind librarian down the street, and the man with the briefcase working for a corporation. The point is that society accepts people into these positions regardless of whether or not they have a tattoo. Granted, the placement of tattoos can be a contributing factor, nonetheless, those who have a tattoo that peeks out of their collar, or forearm, can still have a place in society that is not associated with a bar. Consequently, we understand tattoos to be a critical part of the self and thus an increasingly important part of our world.