Whether it's for art or intrigue, college students have increasingly sought tattoos in all shapes and variety. There are an array of reasons to sit down in that leather chair and have a needle prick you repeatedly. I have even considered it myself! But what is it that convinces individuals to sit down and allow a stranger to stab them with a inked needle, sometimes for hours on end? Can science possibly explain human behavior?
In a study conducted at Texas State University, contributing factors were observed as to why college students felt compelled to get tattoos. 88 males and 212 females partook in the study. Several attributes were taken into account and notated, such as gender and personal interpretation of self image. Throughout the study, it was found that as tattoos have become more common in today's society, fewer differences are found between those with tattoos and those without. While the study cites that celebrities and entertainment networks have familiarized the trend, it also elaborates that tattoos are not just a result of peer pressure.
Interestingly enough, women were found to be more likely to have tattoos over men. I was personally surprised to find this to be scientifically backed. The correlating gender based finding was that women tested lower in self esteem and body confidence.
Findings suggest that individuals with tattoos might take more risks, both legal and illegal. This was traced to individual’s openness to new experiences and ideas. The study also found that individuals with tattoos in general scored higher in their need for uniqueness and extraversion. Essentially, friendly or outgoing types of personalities might be more inclined to get inked.
The most commonly cited reason for getting tatted was self expression, closely followed by the need to be an individual and to be unique. The least cited reason was appearance based. On the appearance related citations, both men and women roughly tested out about the same. No gender specifically cited in any great quantity that their sole reason for having a tattoo was because they just wanted something nice to look at. The sample tested cited gave meaningful reasons for having their tattoos, whether it be in memory of a family member, commemoration of an event, or self expression.
After reading the study I came to question why I wanted a tattoo. Why might I might sit in the leather padded chair or stool, that so many had sat in before? Many reasons had been cited scientifically in the study. Do I want solely to express myself? Do I want a tattoo because I would look cooler? Do I want a tattoo because I am a woman, and because I am supposedly predisposed to them?
Perhaps some tattooed individuals are rule-breaking, risk-taking, self-actualizing women as the article suggests, and that's not a bad thing; however, the survey also clearly shows that some participants do not account for all. We may all be of the human race, but we are not the same. No one being is a carbon copy of another. We are all unique in mind, body and soul. Regardless of the science behind the decision making, my reasoning is my own. So is yours.
