I originally was going to title this "My Thoughts On Generation X" but I decided to focus on something less negative and draw more attention to not my negative thoughts on the 40-60 age group but their negative thoughts about teens, specifically teens with tattoos, as you can read in the title. The purpose of this is to give not only my opinion on the subject but the understanding of a full adults point of view and a teens point of view. So finally, lets chat!
I love tattoos, I look at them as a form of body art and think there is truly some beautiful artwork on so many people including myself. Mine are meaningful but simple which just kinda works for me. I could never see myself with 1/2 of my body covered with tattoos but no shame to the people that do. Like I said my tattoos are small and simple, but everyone has a different style of body art which is fine. Some people are goings to have 2-4 and some people pay have 50+ tattoos. While I do not plan to cover most of my body, I don't care if someone else does. I don't understand why people above me in age talk down on individuals that they don't even know for having ink on their body but its not your body so why does it concern you... you know? While my opinion about is different from many adults, I also understand where they are coming from...
There are so many factors that go into why parents/ adults/ guardians don't want their children to get tattoos or think teens are irresponsible for getting them at a young age or for even getting them at all. That being, religion, culture, traditions, because they say so (hahah), the list goes on and on but most importantly they don't want you to get it because they care. They don't want you to regret getting it and they also probably don't want you to risk your future because sadly that is the world we live in which brings me to my next point.
Adults dislike tattoos so much that over the years instead of being known as a form of expression they are known for being unprofessional; especially in a workplace. I can understand individuals being turned down for having vulgar tattoos or facial tattoos that break some specific rule that has been set for many years, but to not hire a fully qualified individual for having a tattoo that can visible when wearing short sleeve or for having a visible tattoo elsewhere is not only ridiculous but also a form of prejudice. I understand that business owners have to "protect their image" but I think that really is just an excuse they use to not lose clients/customers/etc because they're an individual with a conservative thought process.
Not only is it sad to me that people care so much about what others think but its even more sad to me that individuals that literally just have ink on their body get denied or mistreated for something that is not of their concern, It is a terrible situation but it has become normalized in society which is quite heartbreaking. I believe that tattoos can be used to express someone's personality or to have a permanent reminder of something of value to them, there are many different reasons why people have them but my favorite part about them is that they make individuals feel and look more unique which can be liberating to individual and can give outsiders inspiration whether that inspirations are used to give off negative energy and create something negative or positive, at the end of the day I understand both 'sides.' but it is your decision and your body. What other people think of you shouldn't bother you because you are doing something that means something to you! You are not any less of a human being for getting some ink on your body. Like I said earlier I understand the concerns of adults but again, at the end of the day, it is MY responsibility.