Tattoos are often associated with negatives opinions when pertaining to professionalism and integrity. But why is that? Why do people disagree and detest tattoos so much?
The reason is the sheer variety of tattoos people get, and how open they are about showing their tattoos to other people. However, this has a negative effect on people who actually do want to express themselves through a tattoo. People consider not getting tattoos because of how it could hurt them in the future. Not physically hurt them, of course, but hurt their career or personal life.
Having a tattoo shouldn't be a reason why you don't get a job. Having a tattoo shouldn't be a reason why your friends consider you "irresponsible." Having a tattoo shouldn't be a reason why you are treated differently than someone without one.
Where did this stigma surrounding tattoos come from in the first place?
There is no scientific correlation between intelligence level and the amount of ink on your body, but somehow that association has been made. I am a college student right now, and we are in a stage where we are learning what you should do and what you shouldn't do in a job interview. I have been told multiple times that you should never show that you have a tattoo because it can be deemed unprofessional.
I do agree that at a certain level, tattoos can be unprofessional. However, they are also a form of artistic and emotional expression. They are a small way to make a statement and for some people, they are a way to express personal emotions that they may not know how to otherwise express.
This same issue also occurs with people who have body piercings. The same negative connotation associated with tattoos is also associated with body piercings, and people with them are looked down upon by the overall population. Again, why does this stigma exist in and is it possible to get rid of it in our society?
The people I know who have gotten tattoos and piercings decided to get them because they felt passionate about the meaning or reasoning behind them. For example, one of my close friends has an abstract tattoo of a woman's body on her right side, which tattoo represents her freedom and power as a woman.
This is just one of the many examples of people who are really trying to express themselves through this type of art. It should not be considered a negative form of expression and should be seen as a more positive aspect of art in society today.
