Too often in our society, people that have tattoos are being discriminated against. Whether it is from the general public or from potential employers, people with tattoos are often looked down upon. The main thing here is that if you want to get a tattoo it is your decision to do so. I have a tattoo and I plan on getting more because I have certain things that I want to represent. Most people that have tattoos do not just get them to have images permanently drawn on their arms or their legs. More times than not these tattoos have special meanings to that person and are usually done because of that significance. When it comes to how people with tattoos are accepted, the discrimination needs to stop.

I hear far too often that people are not getting jobs, or even job interviews, because they have tattoos. I’m sorry, but having tattoos does not make you any less of a good human being. "You have tattoos, well that must mean that everything you have accomplished beforehand is no longer valid." I know plenty of people who are great individuals that have tattoos, and because of the stigma that surrounds them many do not think so. I will admit, before I had my first tattoo I was a little skeptical of them and people that have them. But after I had mine done I really understood what that stigma was, and how I was judging people before. As an education major, we are often told that our tattoos must be covered while we are in school. But why should this matter? Something that we let everyone else see on a daily basis should be covered while we are in a school? I was told specifically to change the location of where I wanted to get my tattoo because it would be visible if I rolled my sleeves up, and I did make that change. But I should not have to change that in order to perceived as a good person in my job interview. If the employers that are interviewing you think that you are good enough for the job than it should not matter whether you have tattoos or not.

Now I will also admit that there are some out there that do not have tattoos that are in the best taste. Yes, some people make mistakes when they are young and yes, many athletes or celebrities are covered in tattoos. But this is their decision and that should not be a factor in how people look at your own tattoos. Most of the tattoos that people get are extremely thought out and take months if not years to decide upon. I see no need to look down upon people who choose to get to artwork on their body. It is their body and their choice. If they are qualified for a job and are great all around people, than having a tattoo should not limit them in that endeavor. I’m tired of the stigma over tattoos, so let’s end it.