A Note on Tattoos

As someone discussed in their presentation on freaks, I wanted to discuss into some of the modifications that were self-imposed but some people to give the appearance of freak-like. So for this short post, I wanted to discuss the taboo of tattoos. In these freak shows, tattoo-ed people have been presented as freaks for their modification of the body through ink. While tattoos have been around for centuries, and have served a multitude of purposes there still seems to be a clash on whether or not tattoos are generally accepted or a social taboo.

Although its unclear where tattoos originated specifically, there is evidence of tattoos found in preserved bodies mummies, or in a more famous example Otzi the Iceman. Tattoos were also common in non-western tribes. While they weren't mainstream in Western Civilization, they became introduced as western countries began to expand and explore. So for the sake of this post, I would like to discuss how the Western world views tattoos. After this introduction to ink, tattoos have become used for a multitude of reasons whether it before identification (ex. holocaust,) honor (ie. marine veteran,) rites of passage, symbolic, or even some cases cosmetic (permanently tattooing eyeshadow, lipstick, etc.) Of course tattoos have also been used as excessive decoration, like in freak shows. Also, tattoos are not prohibited by the Catholic Church, unless it defaces or defies God and His teachings.

But I would be interested to see peoples opinions on this. Do tattoos have a certain taboo about them even if they have have existed for thousands of years? What do you think causes these views? I know that there are still many examples of people covered head-to-toe with ink and also have been common amongst gang affiliation. Does this have anything to do with it being taboo?

Also, it should be noted that tattoos have been on the up-rise, with tattoos becoming more mainstream in America than in the past, especially amongst our current adolescent generation. But still it seems there is a stigma associated with it. (Example. You won't get a job, people will judge you, etc.)

It would be interesting to see what people's views are on this topic, especially if there are any classmates who have tattoos. I myself do not have any, but I have considered getting one as  there are some ideas I have thought of for their personal reason to me. Regardless, I thought this would be a good first post because of the increase in tattoos amongst our generation. Comment please!

-Jeff S.