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sparrowstarz21

- 3 years ago

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Its my body and I'll tattoo it if I want to!

I got my first piercing when i was 18. (aside from my ears when i was 9) I got my first tattoo when i was 21. I feel that these are ways that i can express myself as an individual that sets me apart from anyone else. I have a total of 10 piercings and 6 tattoos. Each one with a different meaning to it. Either being a friendship tattoo/ piercing or even just a way to show myself that ive got over a hard time in my life. But all my mother sees is that im "MARKING" my body and "Im not suppose to do that". But is wrong that this is how i choose to express myself? I mean everyone expresses themselves differently right?

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I love looking at people's tats and learning about the meaning behind them. A lot of the body art I have seen is beautiful. My son is a tattoo artist, and I appreciate his talents. I do not have tattoos, as I choose to adorn myself with jewels instead.

But what if you change? Would you want to wear your hair one way for the rest of your life? Or just look at the photo- it shows a certain style of fashion. What if one wants to change that style later in life? I think it is limiting to express a style in an irreversible way when one is young. I think it is an expression of where my mind was at a certain age, but what if my mind is totally elsewhere in 5 or 10 years? And also- what if new opportunities open up and the job one is dying to get frowns on tattoos? In another thread, someone wrote how he couldnt get a specific job because he has tattoos.Stuff like that is what I find "limiting". It narrows options, and I think that freedom of choice is a huge issue....it defines freedom. But sure - do whatever you want because that IS your freedom as well - your body is yours. I just understand your mother because for her it must be distressing to witness, because when we get older we do see the changes time brings in style and taste. I know that what I wanted at 18 is not what I wanted at 35. But maybe it wont be that way for you. Maybe you will always want the same thing.

My body is still a temple, I have just added some decorations. I once met an elderly gypsy woman with a full body tattoo. Even though she was in her 70s, her tattoos were still beautiful.

We are what we make of yourself. We make the calls.

The Maori get tattooed as a rite of passage for adulthood. Each of my tats hold deep meaning for me~ they mark times in my life when I passed from one phase of life to another. Each time I look in the mirror I see my roots, or how I turned something bad into something good, or a symbol of my religion, etc... They are a part of me, just like my wrinkles and stretch marks..lol They are part of the map of my life that is my body. Each tattoo, each wrinkle, each line, is a testament to what I've been through~ the way I've lived. It's not always gonna be pretty, that's for sure, but it's me...it's who I am. I may regret not being able to wear a pretty sleeveless top because the colors just don't match, but I don't regret the tattoo!

I agree with those who have talked about possibly having regrets later on in life. And I just wonder how enchanting any tatoo would look when you're, say, 70 or 80 years old and your skin is saggy and wrinkly.

In the words of Madonna, "Express Yourself" and I would add that you should do it however you choose. There certainly are limits to this line of thinking -- I don't consider serial murder an acceptable self-expression. So, having qualified this opinion, I believe that you are over 18 (considered a legal adult) and can live your life however you choose. Of course there are consequences. In some regions, religions, or age groups, tattooing and piercing are socially unacceptable. There are some businesses who will not hire someone who is overly concerned with this form of self-expression. There are some jobs that you are disallowed from tattooing certain parts of your body. Some law enforcement agencies will not consider you for positions where you will be undercover because visible tattoos are too distinctive and draw too much attention. As long as you are aware that the way you choose to self-express sometimes carry negative consequences, you are certainly old enough to make those choices. Another consideration your mother may have in showing her concern for you in this area is that she is looking at how tattoos may look when you are another 30 or 40 years older. She may also be concerned about the sanitary conditions or possible disease that could be spread by disreputable tattooists or piercers. Or is she concerned about a particular tattoo she considers distasteful or obscene? If you ask your mom what her specific concerns are you could open a dialogue, allowing her to understand you better and as long as you truly listen, you may be able to understand her point of view as well. Even if she just says, "I think it's ugly" be open to why she believes that and accept that she will always have her opinion, just as you assert yours to her. I have two tattoos that my mother doesn't really approve of either, but we have come to a place where we just accept each other and celebrate that we are different and will always be so.

You are limiting yourself. And I agree with the others that years ahead you might have wished you didnt have something so permanent on your skin. I wonder if your tattoos are a reaction to your mother`s dominance over you?

I'm 33 with 2 tattoos that I wish I could remove. Not because they are ugly or vulgar but simply because they do not communicate who I am anymore. Do what you gotta do, but just remember that you are not always going to see things as you see them now.

It's your life, do what makes you happy. I would love to get some ink, but I think about what I would have gotten 10 years ago opposed to what I would get now and it scares me.

I just didn't want to look dumb when I got older. I know a lot of people with tattoos, some still look good, some look stupid. It certainly is your choice, though.

@sparrowstarz21 South of Nowhere

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SoulPancake

sparrowstarz21

Its my body and I'll tattoo it if I want to!

Trixie

I love looking at people's tats and learning about the meaning behind them. A lot of the body art I have seen is beautiful. My son is a tattoo artist, and I appreciate his talents. I do not have tattoos, as I choose to adorn myself with jewels instead.

chantarella

youcanbemore

My body is still a temple, I have just added some decorations. I once met an elderly gypsy woman with a full body tattoo. Even though she was in her 70s, her tattoos were still beautiful.

GusGo

We are what we make of yourself. We make the calls.

Krystalheart29

BlueCrayon

I agree with those who have talked about possibly having regrets later on in life. And I just wonder how enchanting any tatoo would look when you're, say, 70 or 80 years old and your skin is saggy and wrinkly.

flowergrrrl

chantarella

You are limiting yourself. And I agree with the others that years ahead you might have wished you didnt have something so permanent on your skin. I wonder if your tattoos are a reaction to your mother`s dominance over you?

Pastor

I'm 33 with 2 tattoos that I wish I could remove. Not because they are ugly or vulgar but simply because they do not communicate who I am anymore. Do what you gotta do, but just remember that you are not always going to see things as you see them now.

idx

It's your life, do what makes you happy. I would love to get some ink, but I think about what I would have gotten 10 years ago opposed to what I would get now and it scares me.

zamfir

I just didn't want to look dumb when I got older. I know a lot of people with tattoos, some still look good, some look stupid. It certainly is your choice, though.

Its my body and I'll tattoo it if I want to!

I love looking at people's tats and learning about the meaning behind them. A lot of the body art I have seen is beautiful. My son is a tattoo artist, and I appreciate his talents. I do not have tattoos, as I choose to adorn myself with jewels instead.

My body is still a temple, I have just added some decorations. I once met an elderly gypsy woman with a full body tattoo. Even though she was in her 70s, her tattoos were still beautiful.

We are what we make of yourself. We make the calls.

I agree with those who have talked about possibly having regrets later on in life. And I just wonder how enchanting any tatoo would look when you're, say, 70 or 80 years old and your skin is saggy and wrinkly.

You are limiting yourself. And I agree with the others that years ahead you might have wished you didnt have something so permanent on your skin. I wonder if your tattoos are a reaction to your mother`s dominance over you?

I'm 33 with 2 tattoos that I wish I could remove. Not because they are ugly or vulgar but simply because they do not communicate who I am anymore. Do what you gotta do, but just remember that you are not always going to see things as you see them now.

It's your life, do what makes you happy. I would love to get some ink, but I think about what I would have gotten 10 years ago opposed to what I would get now and it scares me.

I just didn't want to look dumb when I got older. I know a lot of people with tattoos, some still look good, some look stupid. It certainly is your choice, though.

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