Introduction
Tattoos have been used as skin decorations since ancient times. The word comes from the Tahitian word ‘tatau’, meaning “to mark” (Abramovitz, 2003).
The tattoo itself is a design created by a tattooist, who draws or stencils the desired pattern on the skin. Then the operator guides a small tattooing machine over the skin in a manner similar to the way a sewing machine works. The machine has one or more needles connected to tubes containing dyes. Each needle repeatedly punctures the skin and releases tiny ink droplets underneath. The procedure may involve significant pain and bleeding. Depending on the size of the tattoo, it may take from a half-hour to several hours to complete. If all goes well, the skin heals in one to two weeks. Tattoo shops are illegal in some states. Even in places where they are legal and are regulated by local licensing laws, they may be prohibited from serving minors (Abramovitz, 2003).
Main body
People have different opinions about getting a tattoo. Some abhor it, while some are seemingly addicted to putting prints all over their body. For those who don’t like getting a tattoo, their foremost reason is that they have a low tolerance to pain. They could not imagine themselves being pricked hundreds, or maybe thousands, of times by a needle just to have their body printed. The second common reason is that they despise the idea of having printed marks on their skin.
But for those people who are totally into tattooing, there are a number of reasons why they do.
First, it should be noted that people of all ages can have a tattoo. And according to statistics, teenagers, with ages ranging from 13-21 years old, rank the first of those who have tattoos. These teenagers then revealed that trends and/or fashion statements are the foremost reasons. Having tattoos has become a fashion statement from all over the world. Becoming ‘in’ or trendy is also relative to friends’ pressures. Sometimes, a teenager would feel compelled to having a tattoo because all of his/her friends have one or two. More so, as part of tattooing as a fashion statement, there are some people who use tattoos to enhance their physical appearance. This can be done by getting permanent eyeliner, lipstick, and others through tattoos.
The second most common reason why people get tattoos is the need for the association. Most often than not, tattoos are used as a sign or insignia of a certain group (fraternity, sorority, etc.) or even a cult. If one would like to be a member of such groups, they would need to pass the initiation process of the group and eventually have a significant tattoo on their body. This tattoo is not just a symbol of the group. It also signifies the commitment of each member to the group as if saying ‘the group is already a part of your body, how you take care of your body will exactly be how you will take good care of the group; as the tattoo will be a permanent mark of your body, it would mean that the group will be a permanent part of your life, wherever you go, whatever you do, the tattoo [the group] will always be with you.
A tattoo is a very important symbol of belonging to some gangs. It is one of the most dynamic indicators of gang affiliation to which a gang investigator has immediate access. Many gangs use tattoos to indicate membership in a specific gang. It is not uncommon, however, to find some groups that use no specific tattoos as identifiers.
Tattoos are part of a process of nonverbal communication used by gang members. Without the need to verbally communicate, a gang member, as well as observant non-gang members, can identify a fellow gang member or rival (Riley, 2006).
Often found in books on gangs, both prison and street gang tattoos are available as either illustrations or actual photos. Newer publications often have a photograph of the gang tattoo. While many gang tattoos are somewhat standardized, the variations of tattoos, “artistic license” employed by the individual gang member, or simply the effort to disguise the tattoo, demonstrate the need for education in the understanding of tattoos as an identifier (Riley, 2006).
Not only are the teenagers who seek association. Sometimes, even those adults (parents, workers, community members, and the likes) would feel the need to associate themselves to a group where their beliefs, personalities, and views towards life will never be at stake nor taken for granted. These people who seek comfort in various groups or organizations would not mind having their bodies get tattooed as long as they will be accepted as full-time and/or committed members.
Another reason why people get tattoos is because of machismo, which is of course typical for the men who acquire body tattoos. It should be noted that it is not easy to get a tattoo. One should muster great courage and should have an extra high tolerance for pain before he/she can even try getting a tattoo, especially if it will be just for the very first time. Getting pricked by a needle is not the only painful process, because getting the tattooed part healed in a matter of time is also challenging. Hence, most males who can have at least one small tattoo on their body can proudly call themselves ‘macho’ because they have with them a symbol of a real man. They can go even further by having more and more tattoos. The more tattoos they have, the more masculine and ‘macho’ they look like.
To counteract the male machismo, females, have their own reason for getting a tattoo. If males can, so can the women. As the battle of the sexes is really prominent nowadays, expect that women will do whatever the men do and vice versa, just to prove that males and females are really equal (in all aspects, whether it is for fun or pain). Thus, women would also dare themselves to get tattoos. Like the men, the more tattoos the women can have, the stronger, and audacious they feel they are.
Another reason why people get tattoos is their love for the arts. Tattoo, however painful it may seem, is an art. There are some who consider themselves artistic by having their bodies get painted permanently. Some would even have the tendency to have their whole body (except the very delicate parts like their eyes, genitals, etc) get tattooed. Some would have different designs, whatever design that would pop up to their mind, they will have it on the tattoo. Some prefer having just one design for the whole body, an example of which is an animal design that can be done (choosing an animal and asking the tattoo expert to make him/her look like the said animal thru tattoos). Relative to the love for art is the need to using it as a form of expression. People with tattoos express their thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions through the different designs and prints they have on their bodies.
Acquiring a tattoo is also part of the cultural beliefs and traditions of some minority groups in various countries. Like the Maoris of New Zealand. The ‘Elders’ or the leaders of the Maori groups are normally seen with big tattoos on their faces (including their lips). Any Maori who would see another Maori with significant tattoos on their faces will pay respect even he/she doesn’t know him personally.
Last but certainly not least, the reason is an addiction to pain. Yes, there are some people who are addicted to the pain brought by the pricking of a needle. These are the type of people who look very ecstatic every time they see the tattoo experts. These are those people who would try to get a tattoo almost twice or thrice a month and are always looking forward to seeing a needle being pierced into their skin.
Conclusion
Indeed there are a number of reasons why people get tattoos. But however strange these people may have, there is one common denominator for it… and it is preference. It will be the person’s choice to follow the trend and get a tattoo. It is the person’s preference to get associated in a group, fraternity, or sorority. It is the person’s choice to follow the cultural beliefs of his people. It will always be one person’s choice to get a tattoo, whether it has a valid reason or not.
References:
Abramovitz, Melissa. 2003. What you should know about tattooing and body piercing: find out why getting a tattoo or body piercing can be risky. Current Health 2
Swayne, Nicola. 2002 So, just why are so many people having a tattoo? The Mirror (London, England) 2002 MGN Ltd.
Riley, William. 2006. Interpreting gang tattoos. Corrections Today. American Correctional Association, Inc.
Rohrer, Finlo. 2007. So why do ‘normal’ people get tattoos? BBC News Magazine