Tattoos (and other body modifications) have become a trend that some people just have a hard time picking up, which is totally cool. Older generations seem to be totally against the idea of tattoos, while younger generations are obsessing over them. But why are teenagers being ridiculed for their ink?
At the age of 19, I have 7 tattoos myself. My left thigh is almost completely covered. Every now and then I wonder what it used to look like without all that ink, but then I just look at my right thigh in the mirror. Teenagers tend to get tattoos to rebel. I've done it. But when getting a tattoo, there has to be some thought put into it. Each of my tattoos marks a chapter in my life. The same goes for everyone I know that has a tattoo. Each tattoo has a story or a representation for something. Inking up at a young age isn't a bad thing; it allows us to look at our bodies and think back to the times when we got our tattoos.
Now, this goes for anyone young who has a tattoo, I know you've been told "well that lasts a lifetime." And yes it does, in most cases (there are ways to get tattoos removed). But do you know what else lasts a lifetime? Being heartbroken. Losing a family member. Tattoos can be ways to honor those you've lost or mark a new chapter in your life. What I don't get is that by the age of 18, teenagers are one day asking to use the bathroom, and the next are on their own and have to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Isn't a tattoo doing the same thing? We are committing to that piece for an eternity. Just let that sink in for a few minutes.
Your body is a canvas. You are able to do what you want to it, when you want to do it. And let's be real, I'd rather get a new tattoo to fall in love with than a person. Why? Because a tattoo never woke up and told me they didn't love me anymore.
So if you're young and you've been contemplating getting that little cross tattoo on your wrist, go for it, but always keep in mind of your future job. Employers are pretty tricky when it comes to body modifications, and getting a job is pretty important. So get one that you can cover up.
Live long and ink hard, my friends.
