Banning Tattoos and Piercing for Teenagers Aged Below 18 - Assignment Example

What are the most probable causes for a certain type of plastic surgery for a particular group such as teenage girls? Banning tattoos and piercing for teenagers aged below 18 There has been great controversy on whether it is morally and ethically right for teenagers under the age of 18 to use tattoos and piercing. This due to confliction of interest in that those in favor of tattoos and piercings base their argument on grounds that they are an artistic way of expressing ones selves, while those against argue that they have serious moral and health implication. So which way forward? A tattoo is the process in which the body’s skin pigment is modified by inserting some indelible dye on the dermis layer (Roth, 34). Piercings are popular body arts that involve making hollow body piercings in the ears, noses, genitals, navels, tongues and lips and inserting jewelry on them (Johnson, 22). The tattooing process and making insertions for piercings are often conducted by tattoo artists in their tattoo shops. The tattoos and piercings take various forms and designs; some complex designs and often they are mass produced and provided to many tattoo shops where the artists displays them to customers with the intention of showing the range of choices available. Usually there are five types of tattoos (as distinguished by the American Academy of Dermatology) these include the Natural/Traumatic tattoos (which occur as a result of skin injuries such as road injuries), Cosmetic tattoos, medical tattoos, Amateur tattoos and Profession tattoos, which are often made by modern and traditional tattoo machines. It is believed that these tattoos and piercings have some form of symbolism and impact to a given society. In this regard, some are considered as a rite of passage, a symbol of spiritual and religious devotion, mark of rank or status, a mark of beauty, sexual lures, a mark of pledges, or even function as a talisman (Johnson, 24). However, in most cases, teenagers get them for cosmetic, artistic or memorial purposes that will enable them identify with a given social group. However, in most cases tattoos have been associated with folklore, stereotypes, and racism. In the United States tattoos have been associated with prison sentences, social outcasts and criminal behavior. The history of tattoos indicates their use in the military field to mark the military units, battles and war prisoners. Currently, adolescent girls and middle aged women have a higher preference for tattoos and piercings. According to the telephone survey conducted in June 2006 by Pew Research Centre, the results showed that approximately 36 percent of American citizens aged between 18 and 29 had a tattoo while 24 percent of those between 30 and 40 also had at least one (Roth, 40). The use of tattoos should be discouraged since it is associated with negative social stereotypes such as war, criminal activity, racism and slavery. Additionally, a study conducted to establish the causes of school truancy and absenteeism has established a positive correlation between students having body modification (such as piercings and tattoos) and low self esteem, dislike of an individual’s body and alienation (Gilbert, 56). This study also showed that the major reason for the use of tattoos and body piercings was to enable the individual to “know themselves” and to attain full control and mastery of his body. This shows valid evidence that the young generation has accepted the use of body piercings and tattoos as a way of self-expression on social issues. Tattoos may be beneficial for medical reasons such as tattooing with an intention of showing the medical information of an individual, in breast cancer patients where tattoos may be made to facilitate proper equipment location for repeated radiotherapy of the areola, and use of tattoos to cover skin pigmentation disorders such as vitiligio (Johnson, 42). However, body piercings cosmetic tattoos that are more common with teenagers have adverse health risks. First, an individual is more prone to infections of Tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and Staph (Sylococcus aureus). In addition, an individual may experience pain, redness, tenderness, itching, pain or even tissue injury at the point where the piercing or the tattoo was made. There may be formation of Keloids (thick overdeveloped scars) or Granulomas (formation of nodules made up of inflamed tissue) at the point in which the tattoo was made (Gilbert, 56). It may also be difficult for an individual to undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan due to these piercings jewelry or tattoos made with ink that contain traces of metal elements. Furthermore, the long term effects of the ink used in making the tattoos have not been determined. Additionally, tattoo artists use more than 50 colorings that have not been properly examined by government agencies, the risk of them being injected beneath the skin is unknown. This has occurred since the Food and Drug Administration agency that regulates these color pigments have only allowed them for external use and not internal injection under the skin surface (Roth, 53). Piercing, if wrongly done may result to swelling of the muscle. For instance, piercing the tongue may affect speech, respiration, swallowing and bacterial infection under the tongue. Consumers have reported more than 150 cases of adverse reaction to the tattoo ink with FDA. This has led to critical investigations on the safety of these inks and the negative effects they have on human body. The FDA has invested in research to examine the metabolism of the tattoo ink which has almost the same chemical component as the ink found in vehicle body sprays and commercial printing ink. As a result of this, several governments have laid restrictive legislation that are meant to minimize these risks. In the U.S., there exist several state laws that will only allow individuals aged below 18 years to get a tattoo with the parent/ legal guardian’s approval and presence. In addition, some laws require that the parent/legal guardian to have their photo taken and provide legal document that proves custody of the child. Some states, however only allow medical tattoos for individuals less than 16 years (Roth, 54). These tattoos are only done for medical purposes by a licensed medical practitioner. In conclusion, a parent must oppose the use of tattoos and piercings due to the moral and health implications that they have. One must ensure that his underage teenager identifies with positive virtues to deter him from associating with the wrong group. Additionally, the education system should also integrate counseling sessions to boost the self esteem of teenagers. Works cited Gilbert, Stephen G. Tattoo History: a Source Book, New York: Juno Books. 2001.  Johnson, Frankie. Tattooing: Mind, Body And Spirit. The Inner Essence of the Art. Sociological Viewpoints. 2007. Print Roth, Ling. On Permanent Artificial Skin Marks: a definition of terms. Bradford: Anthropological Section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 1900. Print Read More