Tattoos are as permanent as their meanings. Whether the meaning is something personal, something funny or just plain cool, all tattoos have a purpose.
To what degree, if any, does one have too many tattoos?
“One may argue that there is no limit, and that the body is an open canvas while others would make the argument that the body is a temple to not be disturbed,” sophomore, Deqwan Phillips, said.
Phillips has two tattoos.
He has an angel and a feather. Both have sentimental meaning in terms of his family: the angel for his mother and the feather for his grandmother.
Given that these have deep meaning to Phillips, it is noted that both of his tattoos are drawn personally by him. This means he had no regrets when getting his tattoos. When asked if his parents were against him making the decision to be inked, he said,
“My parents are all for it. They have many tattoos themselves and encourage the idea of me expressing my life in that way. Just so long as I earn them physically and financially of course.”
Does this mean everyone should have a tattoo?
When is the right age to get a tattoo? Must parents always approve? Is it just easier if they simply do not know?
“I got my first tattoo at age 18,” junior, Sam Sheridan, said. “My parents were fully supportive, they actually paid for it.”
Sheridan has two tattoos — both of significant meaning. He did not tell his parents about the second tattoo. Once they found out the meaning, though, they were fully on board. Sheridan has no regrets with getting his tattoos.
The tattoo on his ribcage is a triangle interlacing with a rose bud wrapped around one side. The triangle represents three parts to an adoption: the birth-mother, adoptive parents and the orphan.The tattoo says “fearfully and wonderfully made,” which serves as a reminder that he is unique and wonderfully made in the eyes of God.
Will tattoos affect outcomes later in life? Is it okay that a job gets taken away just because of a simple tattoo?
“My intentions when getting a tattoo are to make sure that they aren’t visible when wearing short sleeves,” Victoria Hall, business major, said. Hall also said that she has never been asked in an interview before about her tattoos.
“Everyone has tattoos, well, not everyone, I’m speaking in generalities,” Jared Schafer, graphic and motion designer, said. “But a lot more people have them than previous generations.”
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the idea of tattoos, they are a part of today’s world and society.
