Society's Debate on Body Art

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Society’s Debate on Body Art
As a young adult I bare multiple piercings and soon may have a tattoo. The dilemma of getting a tattoo is due to the negative outlook that society has associated with both piercings and tattoos. Body piercings and tattoos have a well-known bad reputation. There are multiple complications that come with getting a tattoo like, infections, allergic reaction to the ink, and scarring (Gale Tattooing Risks). Piercing with an unclean needle can spread diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV, both of which can be associated with drug use and gang affiliation. People with tattoos and piercings have their own stereotype and have for many centuries. Nowadays a well built male with both arms covered in tattoos (known as sleeves) is assumed to be either a degenerate or an ex-gang member, when in reality the young man is a contemporary artist and his canvas is his body. The most recent debates regarding tattoos and body piercings have been going on for decades and suggest that the body is not a canvas for art. The argument should be that people are too closed minded to adapt to modern society to understand that people have begun tattooing and piercing their bodies as a sign of art, as well as a sign of love or for loyalty to an organization.
“A 2001 survey of attitudes toward tattoos found 67 percent of the respondents labeling those with body art 'rebellious'. Respondents also felt it was risky personally and professionally to have tattoos,” (Tattoo Safety). Saying that it is risky personally and professionally is partiality true, the majority of corporate owned companies allow only one visible body piercing, if any and no visible tattoos. Eight-five percent of the people in the survey agree that people who have visible tattoos or body piercings should realize that this form of self-expression is likely to create obstacles in their career or personal relationships.
According to what the author stated it can very well be considered risky. Has this become an ongoing issue? Has society manipulated the way tattoos and piercings are viewed to the point that it becomes prejudice or are people using their instincts to avoid further issues? Studies show that adolescents and young adults with multiple piercings and/or tattoos are more likely to have risky and dangerous behavior. “A study of Swiss adolescents found that multiple piercings are a marker for risk behaviors such as substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, suicide, school truancy, and other delinquent behavior. The study's prevalence rates are similar to those found among adolescents and young adults in North America. Pierced adolescents are more likely to be risk-takers,” (Risky Behavior).
Youth and adolescence are the biggest audience to modify their bodies at significant and influential moments in their life, when youth are trying to seek the identity of who they are. Tattooing and body piercing are one of the many ways through which young people may express their identity, for they are symbolic representations of how one’s self is understood. People may also want themselves to be portrayed as someone they are not. For example, someone gets a tattoo or piercing just to look tough or cool. Getting a piercing or tattoo symbolizes a certain change in one’s life. These changes, no matter how small or large they may seem, can have an astounding impact on a person's identity. Usually when a youth gets a tattoo or body piercing they are symbolizing their maturity by finally being able to make a decision of their own accord and taking matters into their own hands. In America it’s like a rite of passage, when a teenage goes into adulthood they have earned that right of getting a tattoo or a piercing. It shows onlookers that they are old enough to make their own decisions and they want to make it clear for the world to see. As just a small symbol of rebellion, it is better to mark up ones skin or pierce ones own body at a young age then to start fall into bad habits such as drinking or doing drugs.
Pop culture dictates that body piercings and tattoos are now considered a form of art, whereas before they could be construed as defacing of the body. “Body art is no longer reserved for social outcasts such as bikers, criminals, and gang members. Tattoos are becoming increasingly common on Americans of all ages and are considered by many to be "art," not skin graffiti. Perceptions about tattoos are changing, and body as a canvas is becoming more acceptable, even by senior citizens,”(Body Piercings and Tattoos 2008). Today's society is starting to adapt more and more everyday to the idea of body art, for example: my mother who is 43 has a tattoo design in mind for her 45 birthday. “Body art is no longer the domain of bikers, gang members and inmates. A 2003 online survey by Harris Interactive found that 16 percent of all U.S. adults have at least one tattoo. The age group with the highest number of tattooed adults is 25-29 year-old (36 percent), followed by 30-39 year-olds (28 percent). Seven percent of tattoo owners are 65 and older. The poll also found that equal numbers of males and females have received tattoos,”(Body Piercings and Tattoos 2008). Although not everyone is willing to except body art, most have their reasons for still believing this.
Around the 1940’s television became popular. Almost every middle class American had one television in their house hold. Back then on television commercials and shows had multiple disclaimers to warn children and adults of the content that was about to be shown. Now in the 21st century we know longer have this kind of disclaimer on television or in real life. Young children and people are exposed to artworks on people’s bodies without being warned. Would it be easier to educate and inform people on the modern culture of body art, or better to outcast and ostracize those who have body art?
In my opinion people do have the right to modify their body in whatever way they want, may it be a breast enlargement, a body piercing or a tattoo. When they sign the waiver they are fully aware of what they are getting themselves into. Although jobs may become limited, health complications may arise, and society may have jaded views about them, they are still aware of the consequences and still willingly go forth with their choice. Not all people are willing to accept body art, but that does not mean one should look down on or be prejudice of those who bare body art. Living in the United States every person has a set of inalienable rights, stated in The Ten Amendments. The first amendment declares, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,” (Wikipedia). Having a tattoo or a body piercing is self-expression, the body being the media outlet and therefore falls under this law. This document along with many others were made so that people no longer had to be oppressed by society. It is not an impossible request for people to not judge off of someone's appearance. It is also not an impossible request for people with body art to try and inform people on what is on their body and why. Body art bearers should also have the decadence to cover inappropriate tattoos while in public so that people and children do not have to be exposed to unsuitable images. Arguments are never solved by change, but by compromise. No one person should have to change or adapted their views to suit someone else. Issues are like a relationship, it takes both sides being involved to make a relationship, and it takes both sides of an argument to make an issue. All that is needed is both sides to come to a compromise to solve the issue at hand. If the world could understand the concept of compromise many of today's issues could and would be resolved.

Works Cited
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. "Tattooing Has Health Risks." Body Piercing and Tattoos. Ed. Sharon Bahadosingh. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. At Issue. Rpt. from "Tattoos and Permanent Makeup." 2006. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 11 Apr. 2012
Alliance of Professional Tattooists. "Tattoos Can Be Done Safely." Body Piercing and Tattoos. Ed. Sharon Bahadosingh. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. At Issue. Rpt. from "Frequently Asked Questions." Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.
Michaud, Pierre-Andre, et al. "Piercing Is Linked with Risky Behaviors Among Teens." Body Piercing and Tattoos. Ed. Sharon Bahadosingh. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. At Issue. Rpt. from "Piercing Among Adolescents: Body Art as Risk Marker: A Population-Based Survey." Journal of Family Practice 56 (Feb. 2007): 126-130. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.
Kaiyala, Kristopher. "Most People Love Their Tattoos." Body Piercing and Tattoos. Ed. Sharon Bahadosingh. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. At Issue. Rpt. from "The Skin Game: Once 'Graffitti,' Now Body Art." MSNBC.com. 2007. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.
"1st Amendment." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 22 July 2004. Web. 10 April 2012.