Ink

For a long time, tattoos were only associated with sailors and bikers, or maybe with gang members and convicted felons.  They were generally considered disreputable, and people with ink were looked down upon.  Now, though, chances are all of you know at least one person who has a tattoo — and they’re not in the military, have a Harley-Davidson, or recently released from prison.  What changed?

And article I read a few months ago suggested that a big part of tattoo acceptance came alongside the celebrity culture.  There are the celebs whose tattoos we hear about (Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Rhianna), and also some unexpected ones.  Like Joan Baez, Kelly Ripa, and even some historical figures– like John Wilkes Boothe, Teddy Roosevelt, and Richard the Lionhearted.  The sheer number of celebrities with tattoos can be found here.

Does seeing dozens of pictures of celebrities with tattoos make it easier when the receptionist at your doctor’s office, or your child’s teacher, has a tattoo?  Undoubtedly.  Three of my high school teachers (that I know of) have tattoos.  Several of my good friends have them, and most of them have more than one.  I couldn’t even begin to count the number of acquaintances of mine that have tattoos.  I’m sure part of this comes from my age– I would guess that college students are more likely to get tattoos than just about any other demographic.   I have one myself,  and  might get another one very soon.

I know the readers of this blog are pretty diverse within the female gender.  So my question for you is:  what do you think about tattoos?  Have you seen any that you particularly like or dislike?  Do you have any yourself?

-Jane AAR