About an hour ago I was at a tattoo parlor snapping pictures of my best friend getting her eyebrow pierced. I asked how old they tattoo and the tattoo artist said "18, no exceptions." This got me thinking, why is there an age restriction on tattoos? It’s not a drug or anything harmful. So why does it matter how old you are when you get a tattoo? Some states like Connecticut allow 16 year olds with parental consent to get a tattoo. I then continued on in thinking why is it such a debated subject? I understand some people feel tattoos are unnecessary and you are "vandalizing your body." While others feel your body is your canvas for the artwork you desire.
The facts are equal in power for both sides of this argument. The oppositions of tattooing are you may regret it later, sanitary hazards, and social perceptions. Though all of these points are valid, they are all avoidable. If you regret a tattoo later, get a new one to cover it. Getting a cover-up tattoo is as simple as getting the original. Poor sanitization has often been associated with tattoo parlors, and though for some this is a true problem, with proper research this is easily avoidable. The tattoo parlor my friend just got her piercing done was one of the most impeccably clean places I have ever been in. It was probably cleaner than a hospital operating room.
Social perception is a valid factor to take into consideration. If you feel you will be judged for your tattoo, you could opt for a different place so you could hide it or just not get it at all. Frankly, tattoos are not for everybody. Some people worry too much about how others think and those people are sometimes not cut out for the social judgment that is linked with tattoos. The fact of the matter is that no one can decide how you feel about tattoos for you. It is your own choice whether you embrace them or deny them.
No comments:
Post a Comment