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April 20, 2009An Apologetic for Ink
Why I got a second tattoo after the first one was a complete mess.
When I see a young woman with a tattoo, I cringe - not because I'm an old prude, but because I know from experience that she may well spend the next 20 years trying to hide it and/or many times its cost trying to get rid of it.
A 2008 Harris poll found that men and women get tattooed at nearly identical rates (15 percent vs. 13 percent respectively), but women report saying they feel sexier afterward (42 percent vs. 25 percent). Conversely, 42 percent of non-tattooed respondents said tattooed individuals are less attractive, less sexy (36 percent), less intelligent (31 percent), and more rebellious (57 percent).
This is the crux of my disdain, if not its visceral source: self-perception vs. communal perception. Those 30-60 percent of respondents with negative views may be biased, but they are also potential influencers whose opinions have the power to either limit or expand opportunities. With the barriers women face, why add unnecessary obstacles?
I got a tattoo on my ankle when I was 16. I wanted something small and feminine, but ended up with an unsightly four-inch mess. Over the past 20 years, I've covered the deformed spider lily with thick scar makeup, bandages, and slacks. When I've ignored it, others often haven't, wondering aloud what it's supposed to be. On my 40th birthday, my husband offered to pay for laser removal treatments. I gratefully accepted. After four $300 treatments, I'm left with a faded pastel skeleton of the original design, and an unwillingness to invest any further.
Why then would I get another tattoo?
I did so in honor of my son Gabriel, who died on March 28, 2008. As the first anniversary of his death approached, a friend e-mailed with the news that he had gotten one of Gabriel's cartoon characters tattooed on his chest. This and another character were featured in a series of comics Gabriel created about racial reconciliation. One character is brown; the other is white. One is dressed in a bunny costume; the other in a bear costume. To me, they represent my two sons: one brown and one white. The images are both whimsical and provocative. I now carry them on my right hip, where I once carried my boys.
The new tattoo doesn't make me feel sexier, thank you very much. Slightly embarrassed, if truth be told. I couldn't even articulate why I did it, until I read something from Andy Crouch's Culture Making website. After learning that someone had gotten a tattoo in response to one of his lectures, Andy wrote:
"Somehow it's appropriate that a tattoo embodies, so very literally, play and pain itself," because art is "an exploration of beauty, fruitfulness and wonder . . . yet art also inevitably brings us into pain, confronting the mystery of our suffering and brokenness. . . . We need artists who are willing to do both at once, neither to play without pain (escapist entertainment) or inflict pain without play (which ends up as masochism and cynicism)."
These thoughts sum up well both Gabriel's art and the way I feel about having it etched into my body. The difference between this tattoo and the first is that one is a fashion statement gone wrong, while the other is an embodied act of love. It communicates, if only to me, the indelible mark my son's life and death has left on me.
I would never advise someone to get a tattoo, but I would offer these tips to those considering it: Use discretion, avoid color if possible, and don't make a statement that's bound to be fleeting.
Now, tell me what you think.
See Christine's second tattoo here.
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Comments
The problem is that the group of folks who believe that a tattoo makes you less sexy or intelligent or more rebellious are not of the age cohort of those getting the tattoos.
We are in a cultural shift in regards to tattoos. What was once considered on the fringe has shifted solidly into the middle ground. You really have to do some scary stuff to be "on the fringe" of body modification.
I see it in my work (mental health). Most of the older therapist see tattoos as self-mutilation while the younger ones are more likely to view it as self-expression.
I got a small tattoo on my bottom when I was 34. I was with two girlfriends, both older, who also got small tats. I got another one a year later (a chinese character). Then two years ago, I got one to commemorate a niece and nephew who died in a car accident. That's the largest of the three. It's in a visible spot (the other two can only be seen if I know you REALLY well...or if you're my doctor!).
I'm not ashamed of any of them. I'm self aware enough to know that I wasn't trying to mutilate myself. I don't feel sexier. I don't feel rebellious. I'm still just me. Tattoo'd grandma.
Posted By: Tami | April 20, 2009 2:41 PM
Tami,
Self mutilation seems a little extreme. I'd say a stronger case could be made for cosmetic surgery as self-mutilation, but that's another blog post. I'm glad you like yours and am so sorry about your niece and nephew. May the Lord comfort and strengthen their parents and loved ones.
The 2008 Harris poll (thanks Katelyn for updating it from 2003) seems to indicate that the increase you're describing was a fad since there's a doubling for ages 25-39 that disappears for 18-24 year olds. Time will tell as those 25-39 yr. olds age and both the skin and the tats wear and sag. I wonder how I'll feel about my new one in 20 years. I can't imagine it will look good, but then that wasn't the point.
I know I'm one of a significant majority that regrets a tattoo for all the reasons indicated in the 2008 poll:
"Most people with a tattoo do not regret getting it (84%). As to why they have this regret, one in five (20%) say it’s because they were too young when they got the tattoo while 19 percent say it’s because it is permanent and they are marked for life. Others say they regret the tattoo because they don’t like it (18%) while 16 percent regret their tattoo because they fade over time."
But, buyer beware. ...
The reason I suggest no color is that black ink is the easiest to remove with laser treatments. When I was having them 3-4 years ago, the black outline was nearly erased with one treatment and green was the most difficult color to remove.
Posted By: Christine A. Scheller | April 20, 2009 4:50 PM
That was obviously supposed to say a significant MINORITY who regrets their tattoo.
Posted By: Christine A. Scheller | April 20, 2009 4:52 PM
I'm a female tattoo artist and a born again follower of Jesus Christ. There's more of us than some would think! What didn't start out that way, has become a ministry. We, the tattooed, are still considered, as evidenced by this writing, as on the fringe.
My shop isn't the norm. There's a Stephen Sawyer t~shirt on a mannequin. (www.art4god.com) There's a Bible on the counter. There's other "stuff" that has appeared over the years not in an effort to promote a point of view, but as a natural by product of a growing faith. There isn't pressure to buy, rather there's serious discussion about why, the ramifications of having tattoos and there's often much discussion about God that the customers start.
We on the fringe have commonality and in that there is a comfort zone that lends itself to witnessing to some who others would avoid like the plague.
This weekend I read "A Fragile Stone; The Emotional Life of Simon Peter" by Michael Card. In that reading, I was renewed because what Peter found when he met Jesus that day by the water was a gaze that said, "Simon, I see your heart. I know who you are and who you will be. I know this won't be easy, but come, follow me, and become Peter." We are all doing just that, when we meet that gaze of Jesus.
Simon Peter ended up eating "unclean" meat according to his background because God told him that it wasn't unclean at all. Peter went among those on what was then considered the fringe. It made all the difference in the world.
Surely there are those for whom tattoos are "wrong" and for whom they will always be offensive. Surely, too, there is grace enough for us all when we've seen that gaze of Jesus.
Posted By: Kim | April 20, 2009 5:22 PM
I am the proud owner of 3 tattoos (and one nose piercing, although the total piercings at most have equaled 7). I treasure each and every one. To me, they are art. They represent phases or transitions in my life. They remind me of faithfulness and beauty.
Posted By: anne jackson | April 20, 2009 6:09 PM
Kim and Anne, Glad to hear you chime in. My son has several thoughtful tattoos and one nose piercing, a bone of some sort. The tats are all black and he's placed them in places that can easily be hidden should the desire or need arise ... so mom's experience had some influence I think.
I wonder: do each of you fit within the 25-39 yr. old age range? Anne, looks like it from your website photo. Your book sounds interesting. I know a little something about that subject : )
Posted By: Christine A. Scheller | April 20, 2009 6:20 PM
Christine,
I'm an oddball all round! I'll be 52 this year. Opened my business 20 years ago this year. My shop's the oldest in the city/county. I was considered "weird" back in the day because of it. Now I'm considered the "most boring" tattoo artist around here. I look like a teacher. I was a teacher, having a BS in Education. Someone told me one day that I look like a soccer mom, until I pulled my sleeves up. Too funny.
Before I opened my shop, I consulted with my grandmother about whether or not it'd be "right." At that time, I didn't really care (atheist, long story!) but I didn't want to offend my grandmother. She was a Southern Baptist preacher's daughter. She consulted her Bible, her pastor and prayed about it. Three days later, she called me to tell me that it was okay, as long as I didn't do anything to knowingly hurt the lives of those who came in and didn't put anything anti~Christian on them.
Over the years and due to God's personal intervention in my life, my list of "I just won't do it" things has grown. Word gets around about that. My shop isn't like the others and some won't come here because they just want what they want, not "counseling" to go with it!
I believe, without question, that God himself sends people in for His purpose. My approach therefore is to try to reflect Him, not dive on someone's wallet. That can be challenging at times, but He faithfully provides.
Thank you for asking!
Posted By: Kim | April 21, 2009 10:06 AM
Kim, you're a babe! And you bring up a point I wanted to discuss. Is there a right or wrong in tattooing the body? A Jewish relative told my son he shouldn't have gotten tattooed because it would prevent him from being buried in a Jewish cemetery ... not that he's Jewish, but there is that Old Testament prohibition.
What did your grandmother come up with that made her give her blessing? What about you? How have you thought through the issue theologically? Your ethical standards sound pretty high. Kudos!
Posted By: Christine A. Scheller | April 21, 2009 11:02 AM
let`s get real...just a tattoo...been tattooing 15 years..some people want them, some don`t...who cares...I`m here for those who do and will do my best...NEVER met anyone who regreted it..and stop trying to turn it into some pretentious crap...spent years trying to understand what it COULD mean and it`s always different. leave it alone...the universe is still expanding...worry about something else
Posted By: andy hinton | April 21, 2009 4:34 PM
The old testament prohibition regards marking the body for the dead in a ritualistic sense. Although I've heard this used as a condemnation of tatoos, I've more often heard this verse explained in such a way that it does not refer to the type of tatoos that we think of today, but is related to specific cults and cult worship.
I don't think it applies to this context.
Posted By: Robyn | April 22, 2009 3:16 PM
I am 25, a born-again Christian, and just got my second tattoo a few weeks ago. I got my first one (a butterfly) when I was 18, before I was saved. It is on my right hip and concealed even when I have underwear or a bikini bottom on. While I got it more out of rebellion than anything, I still don't regret it and still don't mind it. I've had it for so long that I almost don't even notice it anymore. The other one I just got is the Chinese symbol for integrity. This is on my left ribcage, so it is still concealed if I am wearing regular clothes. It symbolizes a lot for me because I think integrity is a very important trait, one that I strive every day to possess. I'm 25, still finding my place in the world and God's plan, and maintaining my integrity is something I need to make sure I do, in the middle of all the confusing things going on outside of me.
Posted By: Meg | November 2, 2009 10:29 AM