Tattoos, just a stereotype?

[fredintoon]

In my own family

- - - Tattoos have historically been a means of showing membership or affiliation. While there has been a recent trend to regard tattoos as fashion statements, the fact remains....tattoos overwhelmingly are still used to show membership or affiliation. - - -

Hi Jerr,
well, my ex-paratrooper buddy declared his affiliation by having his wife's name tattooed on his forearm inside a fancy border.
After the divorce he was stuck with wearing long sleeves on first dates or going with girls named Elaine.
But my own kids seem to be using tattoos as a meaningful personal decoration.
Eric has a Maori abstract pattern on his shoulder that will pass the test of time.
Peter has a cartoon pitcher plant same place that I think he will regret as his artistic tastes change with age.
Kathryn has a 6" wingspan Welsh dragon on her shoulderblade to reflect her ethnic heritage
and the Chinese characters for good health and for longevity on the tops of her feet
(where she can see them) to go with her profession as a licenced massage therapist.
Stephanie is my eldest. She has no tattoos at all but she's working on her 4th husband.
Go figure.

[Jerry]

Again, I have nothing against tattoos, although I would not want to get one. Question was: Is the stereotype against tattoos still there, and my answer is yes. While tattoos are becomming more of a fashion statement rather than a declaration of group affiliation, many people associate tattoos with gang activity. Tattoos are a way that gangs show their affilation or "colors" to the public. (Shrug) Right or wrong, tattoos are often percieved as being associated with less-desireable elements of society.

I am probably more sensitive to tattoo prejudices due to to the gang training and tattoo reconition training provided by the Sheriff's Office, both to employees and the general public.

If you want to get noticed, a tattoo is one way to do it. Just don't be surprised - or get angry - if you get a negative reaction from a lot of people.

Heck, I still get some looks when I show up at work in my leathers and carrying my helmet. Old prejudices die hard.

[DJinNH]

Tattoos give a definite impression, often not positive.

That may not be "right", but that is the way society is put together. As long as you realize that there is no problem. Tattoos are common in the criminal world, and if you get a tattoo you will have automatically acquired a suspicion, right or wrong, that you are part of that culture. You will have to deal with it.

After all, if it made no difference to anyone, why get a tattoo in the first place?

Jerry, first off, your post definitely was not offensive in the least. I hear ya.

What I am saying is that it's like so many other issues in the U.S. these days, some people need to get out more and see the world for what it is. "Different" doesn't mean "wrong".

They can run all the background checks they want on my family. We (brothers and my military son) all have tats.

They'll find I was honorably discharged after six years of military service, then was a Federal Officer for 17 years even guarding a few U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents.

My brother, 14 yrs of military, some VIP details, saved a few lives along the way with the Coast Guard.

My son, three years in the US Marine Corps and hoping to make E-5 Sgt this summer.

It's sad that some folks feel fear simply at the sight of such people who's career it is to keep us safe.

Don

[DJinNH]

Meanwhile.....I just heard that the new Barbie Doll is "Tattoo Barbie".



And the Salem Witch Hunts begin....

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wor...00903115235033

Don

[randy]

gee....that reminds me of someone....can't remem....OH NO!

[Trainzz]

I carry two. The first is on my forearm. It is a heart with a banner that crosses the heart twice. I has the names of my children on each banner. I have had it for years, 20+. I figured my kids will always be mine, but wives.......

The other is on the back of my left shoulder. It was done on the rez with an eagle quill, taking about 8 hours total time over three days. It is a wolf howling at the moon over a seguro cactus.

I think a tattoo at 80 is still better than the gals who get breast implants. Imagine being in a nursing home drooling on your blanket, and getting felt up by the orderly.

But, that's just my opinion....I could be wrong.

Lee

[trbig]

I saw this and thought it was pretty funny...





Tod

[DJinNH]

I saw this and thought it was pretty funny...





Tod

Now that's funny and fairly accurate. Good thing my four tats are in the lighter shade "Green Zone".

Don

[olebiker]

One of mine is in that puke green color. Oh well!

[Mighty Eleven]

I think certin things in life are worth putting in words or ink. Personally,I don't feel that strong to put something on my body that I will see the rest of my life. I have enough scares that remind me of the pain let alone tats on top of that.

[ZombieRob]

as a former member of the military and a sailor to boot i think that the stereotypes of tattoos are due to the natural human reaction to things that aren't natural. with that being said tattoos in some cultures are status symbols the more tattoos the higher in society you are mostly because you earned them. i currently have two and am planning many, many, many more. my first is from my coast guard machinery technician "a" school it is a gear with two pistons and some flames, located right between my shoulderblades. my second is a zombie pinup girl, the zombie pinup girl has a few different meanings to me. one: i have a very unnatural and probably disturbing addiction to horror films specifically zombie movies. two: pinup girl art has been a military and sailor tradition for decades. three: it is a reminder that women will never stop affecting me (even after they're dead or undead in this case). the other tattoos i plan on getting include some very traditional sailor tattoos such as a pig and a rooster on my feet. the story behind them is that in the old days pigs and rooster always survived shipwreck due to the wooden crates they were shipped in therefore the pig and rooster sybolize the ability to survive the worst of "shipwrecks". i will also get a compass rose in the center of my chest with north pointing to my childrens initials, sybolizing that in order to find my way i need only to think of them. others include a traditional tall ship sailing into port with a banner underneath which reads "going home". to signify that my time as a military sailor is done.

[Ralphy]

As for me I'd have mine removed if the scaring wouldn't look worse and also I'm too old at 50 to give a rats bum But I'll say this, if I had my time over I would not get tattoo's at all

[olebiker]

As for me I'd have mine removed if the scaring wouldn't look worse and also I'm too old at 50 to give a rats bum But I'll say this, if I had my time over I would not get tattoo's at all

I am 57 and I am sure glad that I don't have any regrets about mine. Course I was not a kid when I got them and knew what I was getting and why.

[Ralphy]

I am 57 and I am sure glad that I don't have any regrets about mine. Course I was not a kid when I got them and knew what I was getting and why.

Not so much regret as they simply don't represent who I am today, my thoughts on the matter but your sass is duly noted. Bless ya.