Should People Use Tattoos As Self-Expression?

Will Thomas
Professor Carboy
English 101
8 February 2013
Tattoos Consequences People should not use tattoos as self-expression because many dilemmas appear after the art is on the body. Yes, I do consider tattoos as art; but people need to think about the artwork in the long run. The way the body ages has a big impact on how tattoos will look over time. Tattoos can also influence success in employment opportunities. Plus, tattoos are permanently on the body. There are many reasons to get a tattoo, but you also have to think about the future. Body changes, employment opportunities, and the fact that tattoos are permanent are my reasons on why I think tattoos make bad examples of self-expression. The aging process dramatically alters
the look of tattoos over time. The human body is always changing and going through stages. We start off growing and our skin stretches, but over time we lose bone density and start shrinking and sagging. Also, due to the lack of protection from the sun’s exposure, tattoos lose their coloring and details. This means you could either live with a dull tattoo or go through the pain of paying and getting a touch up on the already scared tissue. Through the years, the lovely art of gravity makes the skin stretch and sag, which makes the tattoo lose the shape, clarity, and artful appearance. The colors could also run together, which to me looks like people are trying to study for an inkblot test. These are just some reasons why the aging process is one of the biggest enemies of any tattoo.

Tattoos can also impact the success people have in employment opportunities.
Many good paying jobs require that all visible tattoos be covered with makeup or be bandaged up. To me the most popular places to get a tattoo is either on the wrist or forearm. These parts of the body are the most exposed, making them easier for people to see, but harder to cover up. Employers are also looking for people who can be a role model for their company. If they are too distracted with the prospect of employees tattoos. They will never see you as fully being a potential role model for their company. Some employers look at people with tattoos and think of rebellious people or people who are trouble. Personally, I have never known of a work place where those two words were ever a good
thing. I have seen this done first hand at my place of employment. My employer is McDonalds and surprisingly they take a great deal of care on appearance. A well qualified individual that will take all the right procedures in inquiring about employment. Dresses semi professionally, have a well structured resume, and even more than enough references for the job will be turned down. Only if my General Manager notices any visible tattoos during the interview. He will cut the interview short mentioning he will call the individual. As I inquire employment opportunities for the individual my General Manager always says “He/She does not have the look we want behind our counters!” Proving to me that employers do care about employees expression themselves with tattoos. Tattoos are on the body permanently.
Tattoos can be removed with laser procedures, but there will always be visible scare tissue in place of the tattoo. The laser procedures are more painful and even more time consuming than getting the actual tattoo. As a friend of a tattoo shop owner I see many tattoos being done under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This means you have no control over what you are going to be putting on your body. People today start getting tattoos in there teen years, even before they are done growing, changing and going through life. Another big reason I think people get tattoos is to fit in with their friends. They want a tattoo because all of there friends have tattoos so they are kind of peer pressured into getting one. This is when your adrenalin takes over the mind and the thought process is no longer existing. This happens when people are to excited about getting the tattoo. People forget about the bad that does come with tattoos because all they can think about is the “good,“ acceptance of others. Even if you just get tired of your tattoo there is nothing you can do to permanently get rid of the tattoo. This is why people should really think about having the tattoo
forever.

When I used to think about tattoos growing up, I associated them with something different. I saw them as ways gang members were marked, or if a person had a tattoo I thought he/she at one time was in jail. Today, I know this is not true but why would someone want to mark the body the same as a gang member or a person who has been in jail. A human is the most well developed thing on the earth, but we are so desperate to make changes. There are many ways to express your self through art with out having to “ink up” the body permanently. Painting or working with clay can show your personality. I always find that sitting at the pottery wheel does wonders for me. The cloths you were can make a huge statement about who you are as a person. So I don’t think that marking your body is the best way to go about expressing your self.

Even though tattoos have changed meaning, I still feel as if they are not a good use for self expression. In the later years of life the tattoos shape, detailing, and general appearance with be contoured differently. Having a tattoo can interfere with employment opportunities that can make a better life. Lastly, tattoos are on your body permanently no matter how many removal procures are available. So I hope people take my three main points into consideration the next time they think it is a good idea to use tattoos as self-expression.