Tatted and Proud
No matter what your age, if you have any tattoos (or unusual piercings), you’ve probably been inquisitioned about your future job prospects. Whether it’s a nosy Karen at the grocery store sneering at your exposed forearms or your own family members knitting their brows together in disappointment, tattooed people have all felt the burn of disapproval. While the notoriety of tattoos and piercings still exists, especially in countries like Japan, the general public no longer associates tattoos with unemployment, becoming far more open and fascinated with the world of body art.
Tattoos and piercings have a rich history across the globe ranging from artistic expression, community status, or a coming of age ritual, says Aish Man from Medium. It’s only in the last century have tattoos and piercings become taboo, specifically in the modern workplace and suburban social construct. According to Margaret Flemming, a journalist from The Waltonian, “Tattoos and piercings have been taboo in professional settings in the past due to the negative connotations directed towards tattoos and piercings from their representation of gang affiliations and other history.” Be that as it may, the mid-century stigma is changing.
Older generations, who grew up during the peak of tattoo and piercing taboo, have lived decades under the impression that it was only the underbelly of society that was getting permanent art on their bodies. However, in recent years, Millennials and Gen Z have all but abolished the serious implications of tattoos and piercings, embracing the beauty of personal expression and aesthetic uniqueness with open arms.
According to Jori Wachtel, a student journalist from the college news column, Experience, “With a majority of young people currently having one or more tattoos, and nearly 20% having facial piercings, times are changing and moving towards a more accepting future.” In the workplace, especially, we’ve seen big changes in the acceptance of tattoos and piercings, as companies are becoming more relaxed with company aesthetics. Wachtel says, “Although some companies still maintain that body mods are unprofessional, the acceptance and popularity of body mods seem to be increasing.”
Suddenly, you don’t have to choose between being an employed, stand-up citizen or getting a tattoo or piercing; you can do both. After living under the thumb of social judgement since birth, older generations are flabbergasted by this notion, but also infatuated with this newfound, expressive freedom.
Now seen as an artistic, personal expression, older generations can finally get that body mod they always dreamed of without fear of societal judgement, and their grandkids—likely covered in tattoos themselves—are encouraging it.
Grandparents on the Edge
My grandma wasn’t the cookie-baking, warm-hug type of lady. She was judgmental, conservative, and openly mean to everyone in the family. Yet, up until the day of her passing, I’d always make sure to show her my latest tattoos. Hoping I could change her preconceived notions, I bragged about the intricate linework of my flower tattoos and pointed out the silly whiskers of the cute little hamster on my forearm. However, despite my efforts to explain the artistry, beauty, and meaningfulness, she always saw me as a tatted up outlaw. (As if an outlaw would have a hamster tattoo…)
But not all old people aren’t so stuck in their ways, and many have embraced the choices of their younger family members with acceptance and enchantment. Charmed by the spirit of personal expression, many older folks are realizing that, in this short life of ours, we can do whatever we want with our appearance. According to Alec McPike, a psychologist and journalist with innerbody, our self-esteem is linked to our opinion of our presentation, and tattoos or piercings can be one way that a person improves or adorns their physical appearance.
Rewriting the rules of “good citizenry,” young generations have embraced certain changes to their appearance, associating tattoos and piercings with artistic expression instead of crime affiliations. The burden of public shame has lightened and more people are throwing the opinions of the haters to the wind, embracing their true self image. As the stigma surrounding tattoos and piercings continues to change, so does the clientele interested in getting their first body modification, empowering our elders to do the same.
Finishing the Bucket List
Realizing they may only have a few years left, many old people have decided to throw their prejudices aside and chase the rebelliousness of their youth, choosing to embrace their wild side with their first tattoo or piercing. Without the steadfast, wholesome encouragement of younger generations and their seemingly carefree approach to personal expression, old folks would probably still struggle with the guilt and shame of mid-century tattoo and piercing stigmas.
However, the real zest in life is making choices that are a little bit scary but ultimately have a positive payoff in the end. And if you walk out of the tattoo parlor with a permanent piece of artwork that makes you happy every time you look at it, that’s a win. So for grandmas who always wanted that dolphin lower back tattoo or granddads who wanted a pinup girl on their shoulder, remember that we only have one life to live and you might as well relish it. Check off your last item on the bucket list and get that tattoo or piercing!
Besides, it’s a surefire way to spice up the gossip at the old folk’s home.
Via u/marclakimi