Tattoos on teenagers and young adults have always been seen as acts of rebellion, defiance or just plain stupidity. Parents threaten to disown you as their child if you ever come home with a tattoo. Grandparents faint at the mere joke of getting one. Employers automatically deny the possibility that you could ever be a responsible employee because of them. However, tattoos are becoming more and more popular, and with their increasing popularity comes a better understanding of why anyone would permanently mark themselves.

For those who don't understand or for those who have tattoos and need to explain it to themselves or others, here are some points not always acknowledged by those who disapprove.

1. You never forget the thrill and excitement you experienced while getting inked.

Everyone says, "Well, how do you know you won't regret it later." The truth is that there is much more than the ink that remains after someone gets a tattoo. Even if situations change and perhaps that heart on your butt is no longer as sensible as it may have seemed, there is still that memory. Whenever I look down at my first tattoo, I am reminded of the adrenaline and courage I had that day I first entered a tattoo shop. It always puts a smile on my face.

2. They remind you of where you have been and how far you have come.
Getting a tattoo is like placing a pin on a certain point in your life. This pinpoint allows a person to look back at any moment in their life and remember that time. As a tool for reflection or remembrance, a tattoo serves as a reminder.

3. They give you a chance to express yourself.
Everyone looks for chances to express themselves and getting a tattoo is one of the most influential ways to achieve this. Tattoos provide an individualized way to ensure that you are different and that you are special. If an essential goal of humankind to be expressive as one's own person, tattoos offer another way to make this possible.

Next time someone questions your tattoo, or the next time you question the tattoo choices of someone, remember that they are often so much more than just a permanent mark. They are capable of holding memories and stories special to that person. They can allow anyone to express themselves in an individualistic way. In conclusion, tattoos are, in fact capable of being positive.