Summary of ‘on Teenager and Tattoos’ by Andres Marti

Summary of ‘On Teenager And Tattoos’ by Andres Martin

If one analyses the psychological motivations, one will find that tattoos are more than just ink on this skin, but can actually serve as a personal display. The concept of tattoos and piercing has become increasingly common in our youth today. It is often a result of peer pressure or teenagers seeking to find their place in a group. Like any other fashion fad, it helps in identity consolidation as teenagers try to deviate from the norm or conform to the norm of a particular group. The mere fact that tattoos are of an irreversible nature, adds to the appeal to teenagers.
Teenagers and parents don’t see eye to eye on this. For the teenager, it may be seen as an extension of their personality while parents view it as a breach of their authority. Exploring the motivation behind tattoos and piercings, instead of passing judgment, can serve as a way of getting to know adolescents.

The following are three psychological explanations of youth tattooing:
Identity and the Adolescent’s Body
In the quest to be singled out as unique, teenagers seek to set themselves apart and use it as a means to gain independence as well as privacy. Moreover teenagers go through a series of rapid physical changes over which they have no power and such decorations may restore their sense of control. On the other hand it may be a way to ward off unwelcome obligations.
Incorporation and Ownership
Tattoos may be the ongoing memorabilia of a relationship or perhaps the only evidence of its existence. Tattoos may also be the result of fantasies and imagination stemming from your childhood.
The Quest for Permanence
The popularity of an anchor as a tattoo is symbolic of a deep rooted longing for stability. With an increasing number of temporary relationships today, it can be a source of permanence. Some teens get tattoos in order to prove their allegiance to some sort of an organization. However, this quest for stability often leads to premature closure of unsettled issues.
Therefore, we may be in a better position to pass a more impartial judgment if these bodily decorations are seen as a statement of individuality rather than mutilation of the individual’s body.