Tattoos on teens - opinions pls

[Lobodeb]

They were marked by tattoos and then killed. I respect the memory of all of them. Marking on ones body was how they were made to feel and become non-human.

People have tattooed themselves long before this happened as a form of self expression, faith, pride, etc. Look at the Maori, for example. Unfortunately, you have a terrible associated with tattoos which is understandable. What happened to your mother and countless others is horrible. I don't mean to take away from that.

If people want to express themselves how about a painting that can be put on the wall? This way they have their artistic expression and if they ever feel different they can just take it down. This way if I love Johnny forever changes to Bill's girl there isn't a problem.

Because if I want to carry it with me, I can and will. I have paintings on my walls at home and that's fine. But if I want to have one that's more sentimental, I'm keeping it with me. My choice.

Society has become more excepting to tattoos, however I do think they are a fad, like Paris Hilton. Maybe in 10 years no one will find them so cool and the people with them won't either. Time will tell. It can go both ways. Styles change.

Again, some cultures have been doing it for centuries.

[finn's mom]

Tattoos are art, a form of personal expression. I can't say that I like all paintings I see on canvas anymore than I can say that I like all tattoos on skin or all photos taken with a camera. I do like art, though. I do like personal expression. There has never been a time in my life that I wouldn't approach someone who was pierced ten times in their face or that I wouldn't approach someone who was covered in tattoos. Now, that's not to say that once I got to know the person, I chose not to associate with them afterwards. But it's the same with people that are totally clean cut, with no piercings or tattoos.

I choose who I hang out with and associate with based on their personalities, not their backgrounds, their skin color, their choice in clothes/music/cars/homes etc. People who do truly miss out on some amazing people.

And, I don't remember now who said that about tipping someone less because they have a tattoo...but, wow! I've had some horrible waiting experiences and that's the only time I'll tip less. I tip based on service and personality...again, not on skin color, hair style, tattoos, etc. (I think hygiene is something that has affected my tip one time, and only because the person made it physically hard to eat my food...pew!)

I do see and completely understand why places will and won't hire based on the physical appearance of a person. Whether tattoos and piercings are accepted more now than they used to be, the simple fact is that things haven't changed so much that the majority of consumers don't still prefer to see someone clean and simply presented when they're at a restaurant or a grocery store or a retail store or whatever. There are plenty of jobs out there available for people who want to express themselves while at work and wear what they want and stand out from the crowd and all that.

I like to wear my hair down and I like to wear my shirt untucked and usually unironed. But the fact is I can't at work. It's something I am willing to sacrifice, because as soon as I clock out, I do what I want with my hair and my clothes. I choose to express my individuality through my personal brand of customer service, my personality and my smile. Again, once I'm off the clock, I have more freedom to express myself in other ways, too. I don't see that it's that big of a deal. There's a time and place for everything.

***Ally Cat's Mommy***I say tell him the pros and cons of it, but don't hammer them in. Unfortunately, people have to make their own mistakes sometimes. And, maybe it won't be a mistake, I know a few people who don't regret their tattoos. The majority of the people I know who got them early on in life tend to regret them, but not everyone does. But no matter how much someone tells you that your tastes may change, and that your interests may shift, many people will never see that until it happens. Especially kids. I remember how passionate I was about so many things that hold little to no interest at all for me now, but I remember the passion. And no one could have told me that I would change my mind about some things. Again, I say let him know the downside, if he doesn't already, and then let it be. Help him find a good place (I have someone close to me who will more than likely die from hepatitis c because of a tattoo he got as a young man.), help him pick something meaningful. I would set limits on where he can get the tattoo on his body, but that's about the only thing I would set a limit on.***

Anyway, I'm done. Good luck!

[Argranade]

Originally Posted by Marigold2
... When I see someone with a tattoo I think less of them. I tip less at a resturant ...

It's not what counts on the outside ... it's what counts on the inside.

Never judge a book by it's cover.

Life is life & no matter what people will choose things that may not aprove to you but even so - it's there life & there choice so we have no say towards it.There is no reason for dis-liking a person for a simple tattoo, there are many, many great people in this world who have done such good for this earth .. and geuss what! some of those people just happened to have a tattoo.

[carole]

I don't really think anyone is intentionally being rude here in this thread, although it may come across that way, it is really how they feel about them, and it is a fact of life many people do feel exactly like that, less of that person and it is cheap etc, I personally are not for them, but each to their own, if you are happy with them, who am I to question that, everyone is an individual, and what makes one happy does not necessarily make another.

Let's face it in general we humans are not the most tolerant race, and do judge people by how they look, but the old saying don't judge a book by it's cover does indeed come to mind.