As a cultural ritual
On a pretty girl
As a self-inflicted wound
We've already discussed the many reasons people get tattoos. The reasons behind the body markings vary just as much as the markings themselves--from belonging and a sense of identity to setting yourself apart and a sense of individuality. If current trends continue, people will always mark themselves in one way or another in nearly every culture.
In high school, all my guy friends showed up one day with these circle scabs on their upper arms. I asked what they had all done over the weekend. The answer? They heated up quarters and then branded their arms trying to get the head of George Washington to show up. Ya, it didn't work. But now, they all belong to the group of guys who went to Tualatin High School and branded their arms that one time when they were other than sober. The makings of true friendship.
Here's my question: At what point do tattoos become extreme, too much, not socially acceptable? Why?
31 comments:
it's pretty individual. people do want they want these days trying to be individualistic.
but, it's just like they're conforming to society, rather than being an individual.
as you age, your skin looks gross with tattoos.
I think tattoos are extreme. They are becoming more and more socially acceptable, but tattoos are still extreme. Maybe that's a reason why people get them. They want to do something extreme and crazy?
the acceptance of tattoos depends on the setting — if you are in a business meeting or LDS church, any form of tattoo is "too extreme," but on the other hand, if you are at a rock concert, the more tattoos a person has, probably the more they are respected.
I think that's a personal question. But as for me, I think even one is kind of extreme. I mean ya one can look nice, but after that I think it's gone too far. I just don't find tattoos attractive.
I believe that they only become extreme in the eyes of the beholder. I don't see some tattoos as extreme, but others in my eyes definitely are. Jessica sees them all as extreme. People who have tattoos likely don't see some tattoos extreme, if any at all.
I feel like tattoos go through popularity phases. They are popular to show a person is an individual but then when too many people start getting them they fade out for a little bit. If you look at someone's tattoos you can generally tell when they got them. I think it is an extreme way to be unique because the uniqueness factor can fade.
I don't think there's a point where tattoos become extreme. We all look at things differently. What may be "art" to one person may just be "crap" to another.
I completely agree with Zach... it's all within the eye of the beholder. I believe the growing popularity of tattoo's is an indicator that in the future it will be something that is more accepted.
I think it gets a litte crazy once you start making collages out of them and your whole body is not longer the normal shade you were born with. The idea of sleeves to me is ridiculous and I can't figure out how that is art. To some people, yes, but not for me.
It depends on the person if it is too extreme or not. I personally feel like putting a tattoo on my body is morally wrong, but as I've thought a lot about it and tried to put myself in other people's shoes, I've realized that there are probably plenty of people that don't feel this way at all. My artistic friends in high school were the first to get tattoos, and they all seemed to truly believe that their bodies were given to them by a higher power as a blank canvas that they were free to decorate as they wish. Their tattoos weren't extreme to them at all.
I think that tattoos are becoming more and more prevalent as people feel a need to stand out or make themselves look individualistic. I think they are becoming more and more acceptable in society, which isn't necessarily a good thing. Most people I know with tattoos (or those quarter brandings on their arms)regret getting them.
I agree with Marlena. I think the value of tattoos is seen differently by different people. I just depends on the setting in which a tattooed person resides in, and how they themselves as an individual view tattoos and how those around them view them.
The more visible, the more extreme. To me, it becomes extreme in society when people see the body paint before they see the individual.
Society says "Tattoos are socially acceptable, and just the right amount of extreme."
LDS teachings say "It's sad that tattoos are accepted by society. Don't mark up your body."
Artsy-creative people say "tattoos can be cool sometimes and look good everynow and then."
Crowd-followers say "tattoos are so rad and important and rad! I can't wait to jump on this bandwagon!"
Which perspective should I choose to follow. Hmmm.....
(refer to primary song: "Choose the Right, or Follow the Prophet.")
Nice touch Jake - I find that sometimes I fall into more than one of those categories. Why I myself have never wanted a tattoo but sometimes they can look cool - but then again smoking is cool too right?
Personally, I think getting a tattoo is too much and over the top itself. However, they are socially acceptable. When I see people covered in tattoos I would hope the rest of the world feels that it's obnoxious and excessive. When I see Travis Barker on TV I struggle watching him, due to the countless tattoos covering his entire body.
If you understand that your body is a God given gift, then taking care of it would probably be a high priority. If you feel that the body is yours and it has no sacredness or like the art of tatoos, then getting tattoos probably isnt a big deal.
I dont see anything wrong with them unless they detract from your personality. If people arent able to get to know you or grow closer to you because of markings on your body, I think this poses a problem.
I think that tattoos become too extreme when they do all the talking rather than an individual's personality. Even though most tattoos do this already some can be more extreme and distracting than others.
I don't know when they've become too far because it's personal choice. Someone mentioned in business settings and church meetings may be a little skeptical, but they chose to have those tattoos. It depends on who is looking as to whether or not it's too extreme.
I think it is pretty subjective to each person on the point at which tattoos become extreme. My own personal beliefs is that when they are on the face is when they are getting a little out there for me. Everyone is going to feel differently about it though according to their own standards. You could even criticize when the tattoo itself becomes extreme in nature if a dude has a tattoo of a naked lady or skulls and bombs or something. However, I think if the person is considerate enough to get that tattoo where their clothes easily cover it up most of the time then I don't really think it is extreme.
I think the socially acceptability of tatoos depends on the cultural environment of each area. In Provo, even a small tattoo is unacceptable, but in bigger cities, small and even large tatoos are often acceptable.
Well I would think for one that if the trend were to have quarters tattooed on your arm that your friends would have been seen as extreme at all. At this point I understand tattoos to be nothing more than a fashion statement. Seeking for the respect of others, whether the tattoo be in remembrance of a friend or family member that had passed away all the way to the rainbow looking sleeve as seen in the post. Why dont we simply live our lives in a way so that actions can speak louder than words.
i think it's a combination of where and what. a butterfly on the calf is acceptable....a butterfly on the forehead is not.
I think there all a little extrem
I think it all depends on context, and a person's individual beliefs. There isn't a blanket standard for everyone.
It's totally an individual thing when tattoos become socially acceptable or not. What might not be acceptable at byu would be perfectly acceptable somewhere else, if not expected. It all depends on where you are whether tattoos are socially acceptable or not.
um p.s. REBBIE was the one who commented as Ben. Sorry.
I agree with what many of the other posts have said. It's up to the individual to decide how many tattoos, if any, is too much. Personally, I think some look good.
I think tattoos at all are too extreme. The reason being that their permanent. Fun wash off tattoos are cute when you're a kid or when you're with friends and you all get it as a joke, but then a week later they wash off. I can see though that it's a way of fitting in and that people get them to make themselves permanently a part of a group. I guess it depends on your setting for what it too extreme. I known settings that I've found myself in where me not marking myself at all through tattoos or piercings and I felt too extreme in the other direction. Anyways, it's about what's socially acceptable.
This an interesting question. I don't have an answer. But I do assume that whatever is the accepted limit today will likely change very soon...
To me it is the placement of the "tat" that makes it extreme. Like after watching the Jazz beat the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, some of the tattoos on the Nugget players were too much e.g., Kenyon Martin with lips painted on his neck.
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