One summer during my undergraduate program, my sister and I made an impromptu decision to get the matching tattoos we had always talked about getting. Since then, I have wanted more, but have hesitated because of my mother’s disapproval of them. It has been over a year and I have still managed to keep it a secret from her (is this blog post a good way to tell her?). I had grown up with her telling me how she never wanted me to get a tattoo, that my body was "perfect the way it was" and that "employers wouldn’t hire anyone with a tattoo". This raised a lot of personal, sociological and psychological questions. Why would getting a tattoo make a body less perfect? Why would having one make it harder for someone to get a job? As it turns out, there is a fair amount of literature on the history behind tattoos, as well as many psychological and cultural perspectives about tattoos. Additional research also looked into how these different perspectives impact the personal identity issues and self-image of someone with tattoos. Unfavorably for my mother, I set out to learn more about her dissaproval of tattoos.
The history of tattoos seems to have many origins. Some sources say the started back more than 12,000 years (History of Tattoo, 2017). One specific line of history for tattoos can be traced back to Polynesian peoples, over 2,000 years ago (History of Tattoo, 2003). In their culture, tattooing is a celebrated skill that was passed down, and stood for “endurance and dedication to cultural traditions” (History of Tattoo, 2003). This dedication is admirable, as today getting a tattoo is mostly a safe decision, whereas then the pain was probably worse and risks of infection was much higher (History of Tattoo, 2003). With this, multiple people were involved in helping with the healing process, whether it was helping clean it or ease the pain (History of Tattoo, 2003). Even the women of Polynesia were tattooed, and were given great honor by having a certain tattoo to be able to serve ceremonial drinks (History of Tattoo, 2003). The importance behind the meaning of the process of tattooing for their culture is powerful, and continues today in Samoan culture, with little change to the importance, and even the tools used (History of Tattoo, 2003). Interestingly, Christian missionaries attempted to rid tattooing from the Samoan culture, thinking it was unholy and inhumane (History of Tattoo, 2003). This is interesting because of the continuation today of people judging tattoos and thinking they don’t belong in certain environments. In 2012 in the United States (where there are certain prejudices against tattoos), 21% of Americans, or about 45 million people, had one or more tattoos (History of Tattoo, 2017). Because of the media and popular culture of growing acceptance for tattoos, I would assume that that number is only growing. Another reason it may be growing is because of the technological advances that are always happening. This makes obtaining and creating a tattoo not only easier and safer, but it broadens the creativity that can be put behind it. Creativity seems to be one of the reasons people decide to get tatoos, but other reasons include certain psychological and cultural reasons.
A popular question behind tattoos seems to be the psychology-based question of “why?”. According to Gerald Grumet in his paper “Psychodynamic Implications of Tattoos”, some of the reasons behind this loaded question include: a sense of identity, belonging, antisociality, protection from danger, sexuality and exhibitionism, and ambivalence. An interesting topic he brought up in his paper was difference between professional tattoos, such as being done in a parlor or studio, and "others" (Grumet, 1983). These "others" are home-done, sometines called stick and poke tattoos. He believes the covert reasons behind these self-inflicted, or amateur, tattoos, include frustration, boredom and anger, often turned into delinquency (Grumet, 1983). Other considerations in his paper include an analysis of the psychology behind tattoos that included the emotional reaction to the tattoo, the number and sequence of the tattoo, circumstances of the tattoo acquisition, location of the tattoo, size, and content (Grumet, 1983). Through an interview I conducted with a professional body modificartion artist (which can be posted on at another time) and from personal experience, I think another reason behind people getting tattoos is simply to have something beautiful or memorable on your body. Grumet only briefly touches on this idea, saying how tattoos “condense, symbolize, and displace psychic energy to a meaningful image” (Grumet, 1983). In all, I think the “why” question behind the psychology of tattoos is as individualized as the people behind them. There are many different motives and meanings behind them. An interesting question would be why do people feel the need to ask “why?”. One answer could be that there is a very sociologic perspective of tattoos. Tattoos have become part of mainstream culture with shows such as LA Ink, Ink Master, and Miami Ink. Even with this amount of exposure however, there is still much controversy in society about tattoos. In one study that usued images of virtual people to determine how participants perceived others with tattoos, it was found that virtual characters with tattoos were perceived as “more experience seeking, exhibit more thrill and adventure seeing, more susceptible to boredom, and to have had a greater number of sexual partners, and to be less inhibited”. (Wohlrab, Fink, Kappeler & Brewer, G. 2009). These are all characteristics that people associate those with tattoos to have. Not all those characteristics are negative, however there are still many negative associations with tattoos. For example, another study found that facial tattoos activate a criminal stereotype, and tattooed defendants are more likely to be found guilty than nontattooed (Funk, 2013). An article in the Huffington post wrote “You’re incredibly naïve or in total denial if you think your tattoos aren’t going to have a significant positive or negative influence on people who don’t know you well.” (Funk, 2013). It is interesting the affect that a personal, artistic or other choice can cause such a debate in society. Another sociological perspective is tattoos and gender. Personally, my mom always thought that having a tattoo would ruin my skin, making it seem like I would be in someway less attractive. Coinciding with this, a study revealed that both men and women had more negative attitudes towards woman with visible tattoos (Hawkes, Senn, & Thorn, 2004). This difference can be discouraging as a female. It appears that society views the characteristics of people with tattoos as hard, “masculine” characteristics. While feeling a bit discouraged and confused, I wondered how these negativec findings effected others.
There are many potential impacts of tattoos on the personal identity issues and self-image of the modified person. I believe that tattoos have the potential to help people with personal identity issues. Tattoos have the potential to represent memories, creativity, passions, beliefs, and more. Grumet quotes Rogers in his paper on how tattoos help people be “the architect of himself”. In this he is saying how tattoos can help people create more with their bodies than simply what they were born with. In my understanding, there seems to be a theme in which modifications in general are a way to create even more individualized bodies out of the blank canvas, organic bodies we were given. The self-image of a person with tattoos also has the potential to reap these benefits of expression. It has been quoted that 31% of people who had tattoos made them feel sexier and 29% felt it made them feel or shows them as rebellious (History of Tattoo, 2017). For some, this extra boost of confidence is something that is needed, and tattoos can help achieve that. On the flip side of the coin however, there are 5% of people who don’t like their tattoos and want to either cover it with another tattoo or have it removed entirely (History of Tattoo, 2017). So, do the mostly postive effects that tattoos can have on personal identity and self image outwiegh the negative views society has on them? This is a question that requires some intrapersonal reflection.
My view of tattoos is that they are great tools of expression. As an artist, I can see the beauty behind the work and creativity of a tattoo artist, as well has being able to wear and display art on your body. I think even in the classic stories of getting a tattoo while drunk have the expression and memory that I personally put behind the idea and permanency of tattoos. I am especially excited about all the technological advances that are being made in the body modification world for tattoos. In my interviews with tattoo artists, they talked on how there is constantly new techniques for tattoo application and cleaning. I would be interested to see how the different tattoos I could obtain throughout my life would change in appearance or in application. One interesting new product I saw an ad for in my research was a temporary tattoo you could order or custom make online that is waterproof and lasts for 3 weeks. I think this is an interesting concept as many people are worried about the permanency of tattoos.To answer the question from the above paragraph, I believe if I have an idea for a tatoo I want, it would be the same process as an idea I would have for a painting. Others may have negatives perspectives of it, but it is a personal expression of my creativity and who I am.
My mother may not ever understand my views on tattoos. I understand that there are many different views on tattoos, especially in the generation gap between her and I. However, as there are currently more movements happening towards this, I hope that one day people will be more accepting of tattoos. When thinking on tattoos, it is interesting to consider history and current use of tattoos, the differen tpsychological and sociological perspectives on it, and the impact of tattoos on the personal identity and self-image of people with tattoos. In all, I hope to keep learning about this form of expression. I may even present more findings to my mother in addition to my next tattoo.
References
Funk, F., & Todorov, A. (2013). Criminal stereotypes in the courtroom: Facial tattoos affect guilt and punishment differently. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 19(4), 466-478.
Grumet, G. W. (1983). Psychodynamic Implications of tattoos. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 53(3), 482-492. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-0025.1983.tb03392.x
Hawkes, D., Senn, C. Y., & Thorn, C. (2004). Factors that influence attitudes toward women with tattoos. Sex Roles, 50(9), 593-604. Retrieved from http://proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/docview/225365514?accountid=14663
History of Tattoo. (2003) Skin Stories: The Art and Culture of Polynesian Tattoo. http://www.pbs.org/skinstories/history/index.html
History of Tattoos. (2017) http://www.historyoftattoos.net/page/contact/
Wohlrab, S., Fink, B., Kappeler, P.M & Brewer, G. (2009). Differences in personality attributions toward tattooed and nontattooed virtual human characters. Journal of Individual Differences, 30(1), 1-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1614-0001.30.1.1
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