Whenever I see a really unique tattoo I can’t help but think of that line from the movie The Wild One. You know the one where the main character Johnny’s asked what he’s rebelling against and he answers, “Whaddya got?”
Its classic and reminds me a bit of how tattoos were looked at not that very long ago. The ink itself was a statement. A way of saying to the world, I’m unique, not at all what you were expecting, and you’d best take heed. There was glory in being a rebel with the application of needle to skin. Parents looked at you askance, daughters deemed unsafe in your company, and employers thought more than twice on hiring such an obvious ne’er do well, not that you’d be interested in such a job, rebel that you were.
So what happened, what took such a perfect statement and made it as mainstream as a 2nd piercing in an ear? I place the blame squarely on college co-eds. It began with a few hidden tattoos on an ankle or some other easily covered spot, then worked its way to the center of her back. And suddenly, young beautiful co-eds with a bit of ink and a spring break, and next thing you know, tattoos are all over MTV and young moms at the neighborhood pools.
Within the span of a decade they were everywhere, in all shapes and sizes, from flowers to full sleeves. And once you hit a certain momentum, it’s perfectly acceptable, and wham, no more statement of counter-cultural uniqueness. Those parents who looked at you strangely just want a closer look at the ink. And the bosses who wouldn’t hire you a couple of years ago, well they’re sporting a few tattoos of their own these days.
So yes, I’m blaming the co-eds, who became the moms and young execs, who are now running the companies that look at tattoos as nothing more than a nice HR department protected right to self expression.
But is that such a bad thing? Tattoos are more than a statement in and of themselves now. They’re the ultimate form of self-expression that you always carry along as a badge of honor. Everything from the name of the love of your life to long flowery life affirming statements have made it onto very publicly visible skin.
And as a result there’s been a new resurgence of the Art of the Tattoo. They’re there to be shown off these days, not hidden beneath the clothing only to come out on special occasions. They shout out who you are, and now that they’ve been accepted the shouts are in a multitude of voices.
From military unit insignia, to fairies, from slices of bacon to the Linux Penguin, anything is possible as long as you’re willing to wear it for life. Sure the image of the inked up rebel is a thing of the past, but it’s been replaced with an individuality that’s a rebellion all its own. An image that relies on acceptance of our differences rather than alienation from everyone around you.
And as the tattoo has become mainstream, so has a sense of nonconformity that makes wearing a bit of ink all the more fun, because you can share the experience with so many others around you.
Author’s Note: This article also published here.
…
If you have a tattoo you regret and would like to get removed, you can spend 1000s on laser tattoo removal treatments, OR you can explore the Nuviderm Home Tattoo Removals System, which can remove your tattoo without emptying your wallet. Visit http://nuviderm.com/ to learn more about the Nuviderm solution for tattoo removal. Eileen Howerton is a full-time, freelance writer.
Read more articles written by Eileen Howerton
Related posts:
- Lower-Back Tattoos Look Great, But There Could Be Health Issues
Tattoos look amazing, and cool Tattoos have become a fashion trend today. People like to be tattooed for different reasons. Teenagers especially like to get tattoos to look cool. Other people get tattoos to show their personality, and there are so many people who have religious beliefs that encourage them... - The Best Traditions And Advice For The Tattooing Experience
The ritual of tattooing and adorning the body with ink and color has been a tradition for centuries. Tattooing is definitely not a fad, or a practice reserved to any particular element of society. It is a tradition that has been found in all parts of the world, in different... - Cheap Tattoos Cheapen The Tattooing Experience
Many of my girlfriends have “girl nights” around getting tattoos, as if it were as casual as getting a haircut or a manicure. The casual attitude toward tattoos bothers me for two reasons; there is the age old argument that tattoos are permanent and not a decision to make lightly.... - To Be Inked Or Not To Be Inked? Choose Wisely
To Be Inked Or Not To Be Inked? With apology to Shakespeare, this does seem to be a question that many have today… While parents of teens cringe at the thought of their son or daughter getting a tattoo, sometimes they conveniently “forget” the tattoos that they bear. But is... - Think Twice: Tattoos Could Last A Lifetime
Tattooing yourself seems like a really cool idea when you’re young, but the reality is permanently staining your body with ink is a horrible idea. There are so many reasons to think twice, before going to the tattoo shop. Many people have realized only after the fact that they now... - Winning The Bet: I Have Your Name Tattooed On My…
In college, my roommate Rick used to win bar bets by walking up to strangers at the bar and saying, “Hey, I bet you fifty bucks that I have your name tattooed on my (backside).” The strangers would almost always take the bet, part because it seemed like an easy... - What To Do When Tattoos Go Wrong
Tattoos are becoming more and more popular, and a lot of people have at least one on their body. Some people like them, some people hate them, and everyone can make his or her own decision whether to get a tattoo, or not. There are a lot of different types... - When Considering A Tattoo, Put Some Real Thought Into Your Decisions
The story of my first tattoo is not an exciting one: no one was drunk, nothing was misspelled, and it didn’t happen in jail. I was 21 years old, living away from my parents for the first time, in college in New York. I had wanted a tattoo since I... - Plan Ahead: Your Personal Body Art May Carry An Unforeseen Cost
Tattoos are considered to be a personal expression. People get them to remember someone they have loved, or lost, or just to remind them of a good time, like that Spring Break trip to Tijuana. Over half of all tattoos that are given each year are spontaneous, and given without... - Lessons About Tattoo Removal From A Practicing Dermatologist
My brother has been a dermatologist for about 20 years. During his time in practice, he has had his share of patients coming to him for advice about their tattoos. Although he never shares the names of his patients because of confidentiality laws, he is able to relay many stories.... - Bold Tattoos Begin With Bold Questions To The Tattoo Artist
The ritual of tattooing and adorning the body with ink and color has been a tradition for centuries, among many populations throughout the world, from Africa to Asia, and Europe to the Americas. Tattooing is definitely not a fad, or a practice reserved to any particular element of society. It... - Own Your Tattoos, But Don’t Let Your Tattoos Own You
Tattooing is a common body modification done around the globe. Carbon dating has proven that humans have been tattooing themselves for roughly 5,200 years now. Reasons vary; for some cultures it’s a right of passage, or a way to declare yourself as a member of certain society, declare love for... - Preventing Tattoo Mistakes and How To Deal With Them After The Fact
Thinking about getting a tattoo? Not sure what to get? Well before you go to the tattoo parlor, make sure you read this article about the pro’s and con’s of tattoos. By following the advice offered in this article, we could potentially help stop you from making a very bad... - 56 Stars To Help Others Make Better Tattoo Decisions
Tattoos are an art form that has always been accompanied by controversy. In fact, for many years tattoo parlors have been outlawed in certain states of the United States. Just recently, Oklahoma finally relented and removed their laws prohibiting tattoo parlors in the State of Oklahoma – the last state... - A Comparison of Tattoo Removal Methods: Tattoo Removal Skin Peels Vs Tattoo Removal Creams Vs Tattoo Removal Using DermaBrasion
A friend and I, along with 3 other buddies, decided to try an experiment to remove tattoos that we have all had for many years. Over time we just decided we no longer liked what we saw on our arms, shoulders and chest so we decided to test all the...