Tattoos are a passion, but half regret them
Mar 19DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I’m a 17-year-old guy and I recently got two star tattoos, one on each shoulder. They are placed where they can be easily hidden. What bothers me is that I’ve been hiding them from my parents. I don’t regret getting them; they represent me and I really like them. But my parents hate tattoos and I don’t know how they will react. I need help on what I should do and how I should tell them.
Florida
DEAR FLORIDA: You need help on what you should do? Didn’t you already do it? I feel about tattoos like I feel about sex: if you aren’t mature enough to tell your parents, you aren’t mature enough to “get any.” In Florida, you are tattoo-legal at 16, but only with parental permission. You knew this, so be prepared to accept their consequences without complaint. A 2006 Pew Research Center survey showed that 36 percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40, have at least one tattoo. Half want their tattoos removed. Your parents might feel better if you become a dermatologist. By the time you finish medical school, demand for tattoo removal should be peaking.
From Bird, 17
I did the same thing. I got my first tattoo and I didn’t tell my family about it for a week. Finally, I was eating dinner with my mother and I went, “Mom, I’m not happy to contain this any longer and you are going to see it eventually. I got a tattoo.” She was okay about it; she figures it’s my body. But my father totally despises tattoos, calling them trashy and sleazy. He was upset and told me I was going to regret it, but there was really nothing he could do about it. Tell one parent first, whichever one you feel closer to. The sooner you tell them, the sooner they can see it, accept it, and move on from it.
From Sawyer, 16
Tattoos are a short-lived dream. Unless you spend all your time reminiscing about the past, the majority of your life you will regret them. Most teens deny that it’s a fashion, but it is. It distinguishes our generation. The difference is you can’t change your tattoos like you can change your hair or clothes. I still may get one someday. Sometimes you have to do things you’ll regret in order to learn.
From Ashley, 20
I don’t see anything wrong with tattoos unless you get pointless, meaningless ones. But no matter what you get, it represents only that time of your life. That’s why I would never get one. Tattoos are so common now. If you have no reason to be ashamed of your tattoos, tell your parents. They might freak out, but they’ll get over it.
From Nicole, 18
Do you want your parents and friends keeping secrets from you? Be careful with your actions, they might catch up with you.
From Lennon, 21
I see a lot of snakes and barb wire that are done spur-of-the-moment and I don’t see how something so superficial could hold life-long meaning. I have no “need” for tattoos, but since you obviously do, what are you going to do, hide them the rest of your life?
From Beau, 18
When you get a tattoo, it must be something you are proud of. I have a tattoo as well. I didn’t have to hide it from my parents, but I did have to justify it to my dad before I got it. I explained the meaning behind it and my father supported it. My mother, however, thinks tattoos are “gross.” Nonetheless, I got it, and explained to her that tattoos are one of my passions. If you stand your ground and remember why you got your tattoo, you will be safe.
