Human body tattooing has had a long history in many cultures across Europe, Asia, America, Africa, among others. The art of body tattooing has been practiced in most cultures, if not all and was used to convey messages, show religious commitments, personal strengths or status, and acted as identification for certain groups in the society. The practice has experienced extended expression and popularity within the last several decades, more specifically in the 2000s. It has become a part of everyday routine life practice for a majority of the population (Lim et al., 1). A majority of research on body tattooing have been focusing on the varied perceptions on the phenomenon across different cultural and societal contexts. They have illustrated the stereotypic views of individuals, religious leaders, and even political leaders as Lim et al. (2) explain. Their views range from viewing the practice as an act of rebellion to perceiving it as a form of fashion statement, as evident in many fashion icons. The researchers have however done an insignificant study on the individual experiences with tattoos. This research paper, therefore, seeks to provide a better understanding of individual experiences with tattoos, their significance, and the different perceptions across cultures.
Significance of tattoos
I believe that the motivation behind getting a tattoo differ from one person to the other. The biggest difference between those who acquire body tattoos and those who do not lies in their quest for uniqueness. It is a personality characteristic that makes an individual want to feel extraordinary, unique, distinct and different from the rest of the population, to gain a sense of self-confidence and wellbeing. The need to feel unique in individuals who acquire body tattoos is averagely higher than in those who do not tattoo their bodies. The whole concept is sensible as tattoos come in different shapes, sizes, designs, and color and can be applied in such a manner that they make an individual permanently different from the entire population (Avilla, 3).The desire for uniqueness is thus what drives the major part of the population into acquiring a body tattoo. I, for instance, acquired my first tattoo at I5 years old to stand out of the crowd. It gave me a unique identification and popularity among my peers.
Another motivation behind acquiring a tattoo is the need to decorate the body and make it look beautiful. Many individuals, especially females get body tattoos with the belief that they are making their body more attractive (Khosla, Joseph & Gordon, 4). The urge to improve one’s masculinity or femininity can be seen today as more individuals opt for getting bold tattoos in the parts of the body that are more exposed, unlike the ancient times where they were hidden and minute. Fashion icons and celebrities, for instance, acquire tattoos as a form of fashion statement. The last few decades have been marked by increasing numbers of individuals acquiring tattoos. It has, therefore, been a big trend among fashion brands, models, and celebrities. Tattoo parlors are everywhere in town. Being that it is a trend; people could easily show up in town and get a tattoo without any difficulties. Finally, I think that tattoos are a beautiful way of expressing an individual’s inner thoughts and ideas. They permanently change the appearance of a person, thereby expressing their individuality. Getting a tattoo is a personal matter, and therefore, it is unique. Two people might get a similar tattoo, but it will look different on each of them and symbolize different and unique things to them (Nagle, 7). I acquire tattoos as a way of communicating to the world about the things I value most and love.
Personal experience with tattoos
Twenty-five years ago I decided to get my first body tattoo. I am 40 and since then, I have gotten six more tattoos. I have had a desire to get a tattoo since I was young and was anxious about getting my first tattoo. I, therefore, did diverse research on the tattoos just to be certain that I was ready to get a permanent tattoo of my own. Once I was 100% convinced and ready to acquire one, I had to do some further research on the tattoo parlor and tattoo artists that were quite skilled and had experience in the industry. I needed to get it right to avoid any future regrets or any medical complications, being that I was only 15 by then. I had read and heard many stories of individuals who regret getting certain tattoos when they grew older and of individuals who got tattoos that seemed to be less significant to them as timed passed by (Cohen, 54).
I wanted my first tattoo to be simple yet at the same time of much importance and meaningful to me. Besides, I wanted it placed on a less exposed part of my body such that I could choose whether or not to reveal it to the world. Once I had identified the right tattoo artist and saved up the amount needed for the procedure, I booked an appointment and scheduled a date for the procedure. I was informed that the whole process was to take less than an hour, but despite that, I had mixed feelings the night before the due date. I was tensed, anxious and excited at the same time being that I was going to get the tattoo I had been dreaming of since early childhood. Reading the experiences of other people, however, gave me reassurance that everything would go just as planned and that there was nothing to be worried about.
I visited the parlor the next day, and I was prepped for the procedure before it began. As the tattooing began, I felt a little discomfort and pain that soon faded, and it was almost like someone was just scratching me. I tagged a friend along, who brought me up to speed on the progress and how much was left to go. When he was done, I looked at the tattoo in the mirror and realized how beautiful it was. From that moment I knew that I would get another tattoo. As time elapsed, I started contemplating on getting my next tattoo. I expanded my horizons and decided to get much more complicated and bolder tattoo. Since then, I have acquired seven tattoos and not at any single moment have I regretted getting them. Acquiring the tattoos has given me a unique identification and improved my self-esteem and confidence. However, I have experienced a lot of criticism from family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers. Being that they are bold and visible, I never cease to get comments from the crowd. There are varied opinions concerning tattoos ranging from negative perceptions like they are ugly to being non-religious and even showing an act of rebellion.
Each and every tattoo I have acquired has gained its fair share of opinions and consideration put into them. For instance, my family found it surprising that I would acquire a tattoo at that young age and most of them tried to talk me out of it. They, however, came to terms with it and understood my passion for tattoos, and at the moment, they are comfortable with them. As I added more tattoos, people thought they were too much and always gave me a peculiar look when I passed by. Others even said they were ugly. The main reason I went ahead with acquiring the tattoos was not to please anybody but just to express my passion for art and my love for tattoos. Besides, they make me feel unique and give me an identity. Through the tattoos, I have been able to communicate my thoughts and to relive the fun moments I have had. They are a good way of keeping and reliving memories. Tattoos immortalize memories and events that are of significance to an individual.
Experience of a friend
I have a friend who also decided to get a tattoo but had a completely different experience from mine. He acquired a permanent tattoo when he was 15 years too but regrets the decision up to date. He seemed to have different priorities from those he had while growing up. The tattoos he acquired no longer impress or motivate him in the manner they did while he was young. He has grown into a totally different person and wishes to scrap off the tattoos. He however still wants to acquire tattoos, but he wants them to be of a different design and to symbolize totally different thoughts and ideas from the ones he had acquired. His personal emblem in those days does not appear to exemplify those of today, such that the tattoos he acquired at 15 do not mean anything to him today.
Comparing the practice of human tattooing in the US and Japan
In the recent past, a majority of the American population showed stigma and less acceptance of human tattooing as they considered it barbaric. This has however changed, and the better part of the population is in more acceptance of the practice. Stereotypic views and stigmatization of individuals who have acquired tattoos have, however, not declined. Changes that have been implemented in tattooing, for instance, improved hygiene have led to the increased acceptance in the population. Interaction with modern tattooists, for instance, from Japan and Polynesia has also been a contributing factor in the increased number of tattoo clientele and environment of the tattoo parlor (Rapp, 15). The tattooed individuals however still experience discrimination when it comes to employment opportunities, more so if they are bold and in exposed body parts that cannot be hidden or concealed.
Japan on the other hand, also shows evolution on the perception of tattoos from the 20th century where they were associated with criminal activities. Individuals who acquired tattoos then did so to show their dedication to the life of crime and their gangs. Tattoos are however considered fashionable in the 21st century and are used as a decoration. They are considered a ‘one point style’. The change has, however, brought a rift between the traditional tattooists who still tattoo secretively and use their hands to tattoo traditional styles only, and modern tattooists who operate in commercial centers and use machines to draw a variety of designs. The tattoos are, nonetheless, not appreciated by the entire Japanese community as some managers of recreational facilities like spas discriminate against tattooed individuals (Rapp, 17). The present perception of tattoos is complex and varies across the population. Tattooed individuals have been greatly stigmatized. The increased number of tattooed individuals has also not helped in making tattooing an accepted practice in the entire nation. These tattooed individuals continue to be singled out from the rest of the population.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the essay has discussed my personal experience of tattooing explaining my love for tattoos. It has contrasted my experience to a friend’s who regrets getting his tattoos. It has also explained the significance of tattoos to different individuals. People get tattoos as a decoration, a way of communicating their thoughts or acquiring a unique identity. Finally, the essay has given a comparison between perceptions on human tattooing in the US and Japan. Both countries are gaining acceptance of the practice, but a section of the population continues to hold negative views about it.
Works Cited
Avilla, Ross. "Tattoos & Piercings: How Does Body Art Affect Perceptions?". N.p., 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Cohen, Robert Z. Body Piercing And Tattooing. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2013. Print.
Khosla, V., V. Joseph, and H. Gordon. "Tattoos: What Is Their Significance?". Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 16.4 (2010): 281-287. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Lim, Weng Marc et al. "Contemporary Perceptions Of Body Modifications And Its Acceptability In The Asian Society: A Case Of Tattoos And Body Piercings". Asian Social Science 9.10 (2013): n. pag. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Nagle, Jeanne. Why People Get Tattoos And Other Body Art. New York: Rosen, 2012. Print.
Rapp, Elizabeth M. "Stigmatization or Decoration: Tattoo as Deviance, a Cross‐Cultural Study". 1.1 (2010): 14-20. Print.
