Ever since I was 14 years old, I knew that I would get a tattoo. I also knew that I wouldn't get one until I was 100 percent sure what I wanted. I am lucky enough to have parents who think of tattoos as an art form and not as a trashy mark on your body. One month after my 18th birthday, I knew what I wanted, and I got a small Hamsa (the hand of god) on the back of my neck. I went with my mom, she held my hand and it is a decision that I have never regretted and know I will never regret. Right now, it is the only tattoo I have, but it is certainly not my last.
*DISCLAIMER: I am aware some tattoos are not acceptable.
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Example A:
Today's tattoo culture is growing. Tattoos are an art form — they tell stories and help people express themselves. If you want a tattoo and you have thought about it, do not let any of the following reasons stop you:
1. If you have tattoos, you wont get a job.
My opinion: Don't sweat it. People with tattoos can make amazing employees, because they are clearly committed (they have something permanent on their body) and they know what they want, and employers — especially in certain fields — will pick up on that. Just don't be dumb and get something offensive or something obnoxiously huge and visible. If someone doesn't want to hire you for your tattoo, then do you want the job anyway?
2. Girls with tattoos are trashy.
I would love to hear an explanation behind that statement, because I can give you a number of porn stars without tattoos. Get it? Having tattoos is no indication of being trashy.
3. If you have tattoos, you cannot be a good parent. Do you want your future children to have a mother like that?
To the people who think that: I believe I will be a better parent than you will ever be, because I will teach my children to express themselves and embrace all forms of art, including tattoos, and will also teach them not to discriminate against people for any reason. I will also be there with my children on their 18thbirthdays, holding their hands if they choose to get a tattoo.
4. I do not want people to judge me.
If you want a tattoo, you are a confident person who doesn't care what people think. But if you are generally concerned about that, maybe you shouldn't get a tattoo. Ask yourself: Do you actually care if people judge you?
5. Tattoos hurt.
If this is what's stopping you, I think you can survive 15 minutes of slight pinpricks for a beautiful form of art that will make you happy.
After reading this, I hope you have come to the conclusion that if you want a tattoo, you will get it, and if you don't want one, that's cool too. If you have any of the prejudices I have listed above, you really need a reality check … It's 2015, not 1940.
