The View of Tattoos in Our Society Today
The View of Tattoos 1
The View of Tattoos in Our Society Today
Melissa Oliphant
Axia College of University of Phoenix
The View of Tattoos 2
“People who drink, do drugs, have been jailed or do not believe in religion are more likely to be tattooed. “ , said Mom. Is there any truth to what Mom said? According to a study conducted by the Journal of Academic Academy of Dermatology in 2006, 24% of Americans between
18 and 50 are tattooed. That averages to be almost one in four Americans with tattoos.
Perhaps there is some truth to what Mom said. Mom was quite possibly falsely stereotyping individuals. The act of tattooing began many centuries ago. In our society today tattoos are becoming more popular. The body art trend consists of no set age limit. Tattoos are commonly seen on grandparents, parents, doctors, lawyers, or even priests today. Tattoos have oftener gotten a negative stigma attached to them throughout society. Such is the case of Mom’s opinion, for example. Society’s perception of body art and tattoos often stems from pseudo- stereotyping of tattooed individuals, but tattoos can function as a way to tell life stories, a form of self-expression, and as a way to claim one’s own identity. Many tattooed individuals become subject to stereotyping. They soon realize while reasons behind getting a tattoo may be symbolic to them; other people’s views are often quite different. Several factors alter a person’s perception of body art and tattoos. Society’s’ views of body art is often influenced by certain factors. Some of these factors include childhood views, parental views, religious beliefs, and gender. However, two main factors that stimulate stereotyping are social class and the size of
The View of Tattoos in Our Society Today
Melissa Oliphant
Axia College of University of Phoenix
The View of Tattoos 2
“People who drink, do drugs, have been jailed or do not believe in religion are more likely to be tattooed. “ , said Mom. Is there any truth to what Mom said? According to a study conducted by the Journal of Academic Academy of Dermatology in 2006, 24% of Americans between
18 and 50 are tattooed. That averages to be almost one in four Americans with tattoos.
Perhaps there is some truth to what Mom said. Mom was quite possibly falsely stereotyping individuals. The act of tattooing began many centuries ago. In our society today tattoos are becoming more popular. The body art trend consists of no set age limit. Tattoos are commonly seen on grandparents, parents, doctors, lawyers, or even priests today. Tattoos have oftener gotten a negative stigma attached to them throughout society. Such is the case of Mom’s opinion, for example. Society’s perception of body art and tattoos often stems from pseudo- stereotyping of tattooed individuals, but tattoos can function as a way to tell life stories, a form of self-expression, and as a way to claim one’s own identity. Many tattooed individuals become subject to stereotyping. They soon realize while reasons behind getting a tattoo may be symbolic to them; other people’s views are often quite different. Several factors alter a person’s perception of body art and tattoos. Society’s’ views of body art is often influenced by certain factors. Some of these factors include childhood views, parental views, religious beliefs, and gender. However, two main factors that stimulate stereotyping are social class and the size of
References: Bahadosingh, S. (2007). Employers May Regulate Body Art on Their Employees. At Issue: Body Piercing And Tattoos Burkett, K. (2001). The Rise and fall of a Western Serotype, Urban Folklore, Body Art, Indiana University, 1-4, retrieved on July 24, 2008 from http://www.indiania.edu Derick, a. & Laumann A. (2006). Tattoos and Body Piercings in the United States: National Data, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 55(3), 413-321 Tattoos. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 1-20, Retrieved August 8, 2008, from Apollo Library, Gale Power Search King, G. Sherwyn, D. & Winchester, J. (2006). You (Don’t) Look Marvelous: Considerations for Employers Regulating Employee Appearance 350-365, retrieved July 20, 2008, from Apollo Library, Gale Power Search. Modification, (ND), 1-4, Retreived on August 6, 2008 from Google on http://www.bmezine.com/ritual Oksanen, A Apollo Library, on August 11, 2008, Gale Power Search Tattoo Magazine, (2002)