I’ll be honest, I like tattoos. There’s something so special to me about being able to mark something significant on yourself. I don’t think it has to be deep or meaningful. Some people get tattoos purely for the fact that they look beautiful, and that’s OK. Whatever the reason for getting one, tattoos are proof that an individual has lived and had experiences throughout their lives, and generally, their tattoos reflect that. In other words, tattoos are our generation's form of self-expression. So why is it that when a teenager goes off and gets a tattoo, their parents don’t support it? Why do we constantly hear people mumbling, “Well yeah, I’d get one, but my parents would kill me?” Whether you view it as a positive or negative thing, these types of reactions occur primarily because times have changed. Our parents and grandparents grew up in a time when tattoos meant you were returning from war, you were held as a prisoner in a concentration camp, or you were a rebellious rock star. Nevertheless, the question still remains: although tattoos meant something different all those years ago than they do now, should our generation still be concerned about getting a job or being accepted in society if they have ink? Moreover, are tattoos still taboo?
It would be impossible for me to count on two hands alone all of the people I know that have tattoos. Some of them are friends, others are classmates, and of course there’s the group of people that I say a casual “hey” to when I pass them walking through campus. Let’s face it, tattoos are a popular trend for our generation, and frankly, I don’t see anything wrong with that. However, it has been brought to my attention more than once that people are concerned about tattoos impacting individuals from getting certain jobs or positions due to the fact that they are considered “unprofessional.” While I understand this and even agree to some extent that tattoos may not be the best addition to your profile depending on your job, I feel inclined to challenge this concept, and toy with the idea that maybe our generation is creating a new form of self expression.
“As long as your working as a teacher, musician, or a writer, it really doesn’t matter if you have a tattoo.” I’ve not only had these words spoken to me directly, but have also overheard several conversations where people say this to friends or family members. While they may be right that self-expression -- specifically tattoos -- is more accepted in the world of the arts, I have to disagree that if you are a doctor, lawyer, or businessman, you won’t get hired solely because you have a tattoo. That being said, arguments have been made regarding the placement of tattoos. If it can be covered, do you have to worry? Odds are, probably not. If no one else can see it, the chances that your employer is going to care if you have a butterfly tattoo on the bottom of your foot are very slim. Now, that’s not to say that if you are applying for a job at a law firm, your boss will be lenient about you walking into the office with a completed sleeve on your right arm. They might not be, but they will most likely request that you wear a long-sleeved shirt when you’re in the office rather than firing you from a position you’re fit for.
Tattoos are more than just ink on your body. They’re evidence that you’ve lived. You came into the world with nothing on you, no markings representing the adventures you’ve taken, and you get to leave with proof that you have had experiences. It doesn’t matter why you get one, and it shouldn’t. Getting a tattoo is a personal decision, and your reasons for having one are even more personal. So for those of you that have a tattoo and are worried about whether or not you will get your dream job because of it, don’t overthink it. If someone doesn’t want to hire you because you made the decision to express yourself by memorializing your favorite animal on your body, you probably don’t want to work for someone so close-minded to begin with. Beyond that, we are a part of a culture in which tattoos are extremely common, and that fact is helpful when it comes to applying for jobs. And if you are someone who doesn’t have a tattoo, and desperately want to get one, don’t worry about how others will react to your decision. Your family will still love you, your friends will still talk to you, and your teachers will still respect you, so do what you want to do! Make the decision first for yourself, and then worry about all the other factors that play into your life.
At the end of the day, it is a known fact that we are part of an ever-changing world. Generations after generations have had their own trends and forms of self expression. Rock and roll, bell-bottom blue jeans, long hair: the world has seen it all. Now, our generation may just be the tattoo generation, and if you ask me, that is the farthest thing from taboo.
