Tattoos are more popular than ever. Though tattoos were long thought of as a symbol of rebellion and outsider status, nearly one in five people in the U.S. have one, and they are even more common among Millennials, nearly 40 percent of whom have one. Despite the fact that tattooing was illegal in many places in the U.S., some as recently as 2006, the number of people with at least one tattoo increased from about 6 percent in 1936 to about 21 percent in 2012. It comes as no surprise that the tattoo industry is the sixth fastest-growing retail business in America and this has obviously translated to online interest as well, as there are more than 147 million tattoo related searches each month on Google. Christians getting tattoos is a controversial topic. With such prevalence and rising interest, Christians rightfully ask what the Bible says about tattoos. But the Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. The Bible’s teaching concerning this issue is complex, not because it is difficult to understand, but rather because it is a “side issue” that the Bible really does not address head on. In Leviticus 19:28 it states, “And a cutting for the dead you will not make in your flesh; and writing marks you will not make on you; I am the Lord.” Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in this Bible verse. Other Christians say this verse no longer applies to modern society because it is an Old Testament
Moderation is important when discussing tattooing and piercings. When tattooing, piercings, and body modifications began to alter the overall appearance of the individual, the individual would be considered deviant by majority of society. There are many individuals in the United States that have tattoos and piercings, but majority of the people have tattoos that can be concealed or tattoos and piercings that are not gaudy. An article titled, “Tattoos in the Workplace” discussed that in 2012 a poll was conducted that stated that 21% of adults in the United States had tattoos (Osland, 2013). However, nearly 60% of people that have tattoos, have them in areas that are hidden by clothes (Kesling, 2013). Although this study may not cover every single individual in the United States, it does give a
We have all heard the saying “you’re going to hate that when you get older.” Or “why are you going to pay somebody to permanently scar your body”? It is time to stop spewing that tired rhetoric because not all people are “bros” who get tribal tattoos when they are 18. Tattoos are a form of self-expression that has no bounds, and it has no protocol which makes its potential seemingly endless. Many people use this form of art to remember a loved one, to express themselves, or just to have as a badge of honor, and the list goes on and on.
There are people who still believe that tattoos and piercings are wrong. Some religious groups still believe that markings should not be made on one’s body, as it says in the Old Testament. Such groups believe that the body should be honored and any intentional marks should be considered a sin. Ironically, many people of high religious beliefs are known to modify their bodies for their religion. For example, Pagans celebrate their religion and spirituality
Tattooing is a body modification practice used for centuries across the globe. Because of the multiple origins of tattoos, there are several techniques and countless styles. Every tattoo is unique in meaning to the person that receives it, though often they can fit into generalized categories. Tattoos have fallen in and out of popularity over the course of history, though they have never and most likely will never disappear.
Body modifications have existed in our society for centuries and the way in which it is perceived has changed somewhat over the years. But certain stigmas still persists to this contemporary day. One such body modification is the act of inking or marking the skin: Tattooing. Like most body modifications, tattoos are an often misunderstood form of body modification. Despite the stigmas, tattoos have become a unique object of desire to diverse groups of people. But are the popular perceptions of tattoos out of synch with the true meaning behind them? This essay will explore the social and cultural practices of tattooing and the causal connection between the mind and the tattooed body. It will also explore why tattoos engender
Some people that are against tattooing argue that it is a permanent marking. They argue that if someone changes their mind about their tattoo, they are still stuck with it forever. " All too many teens make the decision to be tattooed or pierced based on misinformation. Others simply lack important knowledge about the procedures" (Reybold 38). Since most humans change their
The Torah, or the law of God as revealed to Moses, states the following: “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord (Tattooing).” It is in the latter half of the previously noted verse that the general prohibition of tattooing
Considered as a form of art for some people and unprofessional for others, tattoos are being seen as a familiar form of self-expression that many of the younger and older generations are getting nowadays. Tattoos are a form of body modification along with piercings, but the majority of people in the workplace will be forced to cover up their tattoos while people with piercings are sometimes allowed to keep them in, which causes a form of unnecessary discrimination. According to Garrett D. Kennedy, "Tattoos and body piercings have become increasingly prevalent in the U.S. — over 20% of adults are now tattooed. This number only will be increasing because 38% of millennials (born from 1981-1992) have tattoos, approximately half of whom have two or more, while 23% of millennials have body
Introduction: Is there anyone here that does not like tattoos or likes them, but would never think of getting one? Today, tattoos are a growing in popularity when before tattoos were only seen on people in a circus as an act or on military veterans who wanted to display their troop proudly. Even though there is this growing popularity of tattoos, entry-level jobs require strict dress code policies disapproving the sight of tattoos while at work.
Tattoos have become more popular over the last few decades. Many people today see tattoos as a way of
Attract Reader’s Attention: Tattoos are very popular among young adults these days. Some of them get tattoos to look cool, or they are influenced by other people. For others, tattoos represent a memory or incident that has a special meaning in their lives.
Tattoos today are recognized as totally different than what they were pictured as in the past. “Tattooing is recognized by government agencies as both an art form and a profession and tattoo-related art work is the subject of museum, gallery and educational institution art shows across the United States.” [ (Levins,
In the past, tattoos were commonly thought of as trashy or bad. One would often relate them to bikers, rock and heavy metal stars, pirates, or gangsters. That has considerably changed over the years. According to Swan, "In 2003 approximately 40 million Americans reported to have at least one tattoo." Today's culture is still fascinated with tattooing. In the 1990s, tattoos were the sixth fastest growing retail behind the Internet, paging services, computer and cell phone services. 28% of adult’s ages 30-39 were tattooed and that number rose to 36 percent in the 25-29 age group. 31% of the gay, lesbian and bisexual population, regardless of age, was inked as well. Tattoos are significant because they
Without a doubt, the tattoo culture is on the rise. According to Business Insider (Hiring Managers and Your Tattoos), over 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo, making up for over 14 percent of the United States population. Of the 45 million tattooed Americans, 53 percent have some college education and higher. The website also states that an increase in the number of tattooed people is expected to rise to 75 percent by the year 2025. Big corporations such as Target and Lowe’s have already prepared for this rising trend by openly stating they are tattoo
Throughout time body piercings and tattoos have become a very common trend in today’s society. Body art including both piercings and tattoos have been around for many years, it used to be a way of communicating through each other but it has now become more of a fashion trend especially among today’s youth. Not only do tattoos and piercings have their own type of fashion but they can also represent many things such as religious traits. Many people ignore the dangers that can come along with tattoos and body piercings, things such as HIV and hepatitis are easily spread through the needles used for these forms of Body Art.