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Tattoos In American Culture Essay

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It seems that no matter where one goes today, it is impossible to escape the reality that body art, in the form of tattooing, has become an integral part of our culture and society. Although tattoos once had a reputation as part of the “undesirable” class in American society, as they were typically associated with the biker and criminal milieu, tattoos have experienced a resurgence in popularity over the past decade. As numerous celebrities have begun to utilize tattoos as a means of expressing their personal style, so too have many Americans followed suit. The image of the young rebel male looking to rebuke society by having his flesh permanently adorned with art has faded and given way to a new culture of 20, 30 and 40 somethings, and beyond, of all walks of life choosing to express themselves through the art of tattoo.
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In fact, many people do not even realize that for many societies, the art and practice of tattooing is an important part of life that is inextricably linked to the core their culture. Perhaps one of best examples illustrating how the use of tattooing is essential to the epitome of a particular culture is the Samoan culture and their use of the tattoo. By analyzing the significance of the use of tattooing in Samoan culture, one invariable gleans a closer understanding of the historical development of the tattoo as well as an intimae look into the culture of the Samoan

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