Getting a tattoo is not bad - Essay Example

Positive Elements of Tattoos After watching the prominent drama “Prison Break”, most individuals can remember impressive scenes by the main protagonist, Wentworth Miller. One of the major reasons Miller is such a memorable character is because of the fantastic tattoos that adorn his body. Most individuals agree that these huge tattoos are unforgettable. The beautiful tattoos in the drama represented Miller’s determination, not criminality. Such an understanding underlies the reason many people choose to get tattoos. Individuals who want to express emotions or memories may choose to articulate themselves through fundamental expression methods, including drawing pictures, writing words, or recording voice. Personal expression has become essential for life success in many contexts. There are also variable ways to reinforce this personal expression and individuals may choose tattoos as their first choice to describe their personality. Still, the pervading social understanding views tattoos as emanating from terrible judgment and many people remain fearful of the person who has tattoos on their body. However, if we go back to ancient history, tattoos were divine and used by many cultures to describe religious beliefs, declarations of love, and adornments. Today individuals use the tattoo to express their personality as a fashion. Tattooing is not dirty or fearful; it is quickly becoming the new mainstream. Although today many people have tattoos, some individuals still claim that tattooing is dirty and dangerous. There are many arguments why tattooing is not safe. Still, lack of understanding is one of the primary reasons people hold this argument. Many uneducated individuals believe that tattoo shops are not clean, and always use the same needles. Individuals also believe that tattoo artists use uncertified materials. However, tattoo performers show the new needle package and approved inks in front of the customer before beginning the tattoo. Although tattoo artists provide all safety materials for tattoos, anything containing chemical material has risks. These elements include blood-borne diseases, skin infections and disorders, as well as allergic and MRI complications. However, coupled with the increasing demand for tattoos, the U.S. FDA has banned harmful components. Tattoo shops also provide the customer with the comfort of knowing the process is clean. The tattoo is only given in certified and safe environments, as certified tattoo studios follow strict procedures outlined by the government in administering tattoos. For instance, before receiving tattoos, recipients must complete paperwork that includes their name, age and address. Tattoo performers must notice the side effects of the tattoo and implement a pre-drawing practice to minimize the dissatisfaction of the tattoos. The tattoo studios also follow the applicable state and local regulations and laws. Indeed, tattoo studios have a license that qualifies them under state requirement to perform the tattoos. American flags, religious images, and tattoos of names are common types of tattoos. One also can easily see visible tattoos on TV shows or on celebrities. Known English soccer player, David Beckham, has multiple visible tattoos on his body. Individuals say that David’s tattoos are very beautiful, and that they make him very sexy. Many tattoo artists say that since individuals have seen David’s tattoos, they want to have the same tattoos. According to a fall 2006 survey by the Pew Research Center, thirty-six percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40, have at least one tattoo. Although the number of people with tattoos has been increasing, visible tattoos remain a social issue. There are always people who stereotype others who get tattoos. They insist that having tattoos gives one a bad reputation and a negative visual influence. Individuals should know that people with tattoos are hurt by impersonal judgments. It seems that there is not a shelter for people with tattoos. Work places are no exception to pervading social stereotypes regarding tattoos. According to CNN anchor, Michelle Goodman, work places have taken unacceptable positions against the tattoo. Sara Champion used to be a project engineer for one of the country’s top construction firms. She was fired because her visible tattoos were against company policy. In general, tattoos and body piercings are not recommended attire in the workplace. According to Washington Post writer, Jennifer Harper, “Body art can lead to stereotyping, stigmatization and prejudices in the workplace.” They surveyed 150 people, some with body art, some not, and the vast majority was put off by body art. It’s wise to conceal body art when at work. Having a dress code, strict company policy prevents people to get tattoos for their religious practice, or for freedom of expression. This is discrimination. As some companies make policy statements to maintain legality, their statements should also be in accord with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission standard (EEOC). According to EEOC, “the law forbids retaliation when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term of condition of employment.” There was a remarkable 2005 lawsuit. EEOC claimed a restaurant manager hired Edward Rangel. Edward had tattoos for his religion. Since he had worked at the restaurant there were no complaints from customers or other employees. Once new manager Red Robin came to the restaurant, Rangel was fired because of his tattoos. Rangel was ultimately rewarded $150,000 in damages, according to HR-BLR.com (2005). Unequal compromises in workplace stereotyping have biased individuals against getting tattoos. However, as the popularity of tattoos has been continuously increasing, individuals must know that tattooing is not illegal. Although there are rumors of tattoos being dangerous, dirty, and bad for one’s image, for thousands of years humans have marked their bodies with tattoos. Tattoos have been used by many cultures to express religious beliefs, adornments, and declarations of love. According to Smithsonian.com, JoAnn Fletcher, researcher in the department of archaeology at the University of York in England, describes the history of tattoo and cultural significance from the iceman, a mummified human body dating back to 3300 B.C, to today’s Maori, who are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Tattooing was traditionally a metaphor of leadership. When young chief got a tattoo, it was a meaningful moment. The pain and risk of death in tattooing gave the young chief controllable power in the tribe . As ancient people used tattoos in different ways, modern people read variable meaning into a tattoo. These variable meanings include memory, decoration, and self-expression. A tattoo is not a holy terror that has surprisingly popped up in our society. It already has been existed in human’s lives as history. As self-expression has become an essential method in modern society, the tattoo is one of the most ancient means of expression. Moreover, individuals have already used the tattoo to recall valuable memories. For instance, my grandfather got a tattoo when he was in the Korean War. When I was young, I really hated to go swimming with my grandfather. People looked at his big tattoo. But as I aged, everything changed. I still remember a sentence, “To record makes memories,” he told me before passed away. I had no idea about Korean War, but I am able to feel what my grandfather felt and learned from it. One aspect of being human is building memorials to one’s life, or experience. Today I am proud of my grandfather because he gave me such a memorable image. Through such memories we learn valuable information or life lessons. For a person who lost a family member or friend, a tattoo can represent a memory and constitute a valuable lesson. The memory and valuable lesson educate others forever. It really does not matter what type of tattoos individuals have, because all types of tattoos are able to present meaningful questions and answers. Ultimately, getting tattoos articulates something that we do not mind living with for the rest of our lives. Just as Christopher Columbus ventured into the unknown, by tattooing we are able to begin own journey into an uncertain future, while preserving memories of the past. Read More