The art of tattooing and tattoos themselves have a pretty long history. From their stereotype of only being seen on prisoners and bikers, tattoos today have become much more common in society. However, there seems to be constant debate about whether or not tattoos are a good or bad thing. Many argue that they are tacky, you will regret them later on in life, and they will hinder you from getting a professional job. On the flip side, tattoos are regarded as a form of artwork for those who like them, a way to express yourself in a much deeper and meaningful way. Personally, I like tattoos and am in full support of them.

Shortly after my 18th birthday, I got my first tattoo. It was a rather painful decision, but one that I will never regret. My tattoo is very meaningful for me, a perfect reminder of certain things in my life that make me the person I am today. The deep meanings behind tattoos are one of the main reasons I completely support this form of art. Many tattoos reflect certain times in people's lives or experiences that they've had, turning positive and negative experiences and periods into beautiful works of art. Honestly, even for those tattoos who don't have meaning behind them, they are still beautiful and fun!

The art and creativity behind tattooing is also another aspect that makes me fully support tattoos. Tattoos can be beautiful, inspirational, fun, fierce and even plain goofy. A form of intricate artwork that is etched into people's skin permanently, which can range from portraits of loved ones to colorful cartoon characters, in my opinion, is an artwork that should be celebrated and enjoyed! While many can argue that they look tacky and may hinder your chances of landing your dream job, I find that, with the new generation taking its place in the workforce, tattoos that are fully visible are becoming much more commonplace. And even for those companies that don't support tattoos, there are so many places on the body that can be covered with clothing, so tattoos are still an option.

For myself, I completely love my tattoo. I love being able to show it off and explain why I felt the need to put a huge rose and butterflies on my back. I also love seeing other people's tattoos and hearing the stories behind them, whether deep and meaningful or goofy and funny. Each tattoo is a piece of artwork that I think should be celebrated and revered, and if someone wants a tattoo, they should go ahead and get one.

I'm currently planning on getting another tattoo, and I couldn't be more excited!