Dangers of Body Art
Jalen S. Underhill
R. Blackwell
English IV
13 March 2013
The Dangers of Body Art “Grandma, what does that thing on your right wrist say?” asked Maya. “It says Justin Bieber! Who is Justin Bieber? Was that your boyfriend back in the day?” Maya’s grandma simply responded, “No, this is what you call a big mistake!” Grandma did not tell Maya about her life-threatening encounter with Hepatitis B, how she was judged for tattooing a Canadian singer’s name on her, and how she was not able to keep a steady job. Grandma regrets getting that tattoo. She daydreamed many days how her life could have been better. Can you really blame Grandma? She did this when she was a teenager. The trend in this century has increased. Tattoos are a major fashion statement among teenagers today, but the majority of the young adults fail to consider the medical, social, and professional consequences tattoos can inflict on one’s life which may result in regret.
Adolescents have several reasons for having tattoos are numerous but some are senseless. A survey was given to students about the motive for their tattoos: “Fifty-three percent of the students replied for self expression. Thirty-five percent just wanted one. Twenty-one percent got the art to remember an event. Seventeen wanted to feel unique. Eleven got it to express independence,” (Winkler 18). The reasons are endless. A rebellious tattoo gives one a tougher look, so that one appears disobedient to rules. The indifferent appearance verses the bland look that has been acquired by society for centuries. Well-known actress, Pamela Anderson, feels “tattoos are symbolic of the most important moments of your life” (Mason 16). Moments of life are similar to rites of passage. On Dictionary.com, a rite of passage is “Ceremonies that mark important transitional periods in a person’s life . . .” (Keloid). It is common for one to get a tattoo(s) displaying marriage or in memory of another’s death. Anderson also stated about getting a tattoo,
R. Blackwell
English IV
13 March 2013
The Dangers of Body Art “Grandma, what does that thing on your right wrist say?” asked Maya. “It says Justin Bieber! Who is Justin Bieber? Was that your boyfriend back in the day?” Maya’s grandma simply responded, “No, this is what you call a big mistake!” Grandma did not tell Maya about her life-threatening encounter with Hepatitis B, how she was judged for tattooing a Canadian singer’s name on her, and how she was not able to keep a steady job. Grandma regrets getting that tattoo. She daydreamed many days how her life could have been better. Can you really blame Grandma? She did this when she was a teenager. The trend in this century has increased. Tattoos are a major fashion statement among teenagers today, but the majority of the young adults fail to consider the medical, social, and professional consequences tattoos can inflict on one’s life which may result in regret.
Adolescents have several reasons for having tattoos are numerous but some are senseless. A survey was given to students about the motive for their tattoos: “Fifty-three percent of the students replied for self expression. Thirty-five percent just wanted one. Twenty-one percent got the art to remember an event. Seventeen wanted to feel unique. Eleven got it to express independence,” (Winkler 18). The reasons are endless. A rebellious tattoo gives one a tougher look, so that one appears disobedient to rules. The indifferent appearance verses the bland look that has been acquired by society for centuries. Well-known actress, Pamela Anderson, feels “tattoos are symbolic of the most important moments of your life” (Mason 16). Moments of life are similar to rites of passage. On Dictionary.com, a rite of passage is “Ceremonies that mark important transitional periods in a person’s life . . .” (Keloid). It is common for one to get a tattoo(s) displaying marriage or in memory of another’s death. Anderson also stated about getting a tattoo,
Cited: "Keloid - Definition of Keloid by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia."Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/keloid>. Mason, Paul. Body Piercing and Tattoos. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2003. Print. "Negative Effects of Tattoos." Ottawa Expert in French & English Language Training; Free Online French & English Lessons. Web. 31 Sept. 2011. <http://www.r-go.ca/tattoo.htm>. Roleff, Tamara L. Body Piercing and Tattoos. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2008. Print. Winkler, Kathleen. Tattooing and Body Piercing: Understanding the Risks. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2002. Print "Tattoo | Define Tattoo at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/TATTOO>.