Just Draw on Yourself with Crayon

Tattoos are kind of a big deal. There are those who really like them, and there are those who detest them with the utmost passion. The tattoo lovers claim it is an artform that uses the body. It is a means of expression like no other and for the majority of tattooed people, their tats represent a piece of themselves or something that is extremely important in their lives. The detractors see it as a permanent mark on the body that can never be removed. They claim it can damage skin, cost you job positions, and, if you follow the faith, you can never be buried in a Jewish cemetery. Now I personally do not have any tattoos, but I have done some research. While it is true about the burial situation most everything else, if done correctly is just totally false. That is not to say that it is not permanent. Because even the greatest of removal technology is not 100%. At best it drastically fades the tattoo, and it’s extremely painful. And yes, by definition, the artist is damaging the skin to inject the ink, but it heals. Also, there are a lot of good reasons that people want to get tattoos. A dead relative, a devoted lover, children’s birthdays, or a meaningful picture that is placed on the body are all great reasons. Getting drunk and getting a giant heart and the name of the stripper that night is not a good reason. It is also not wise to get a tattoo of foreign symbols and languages, because who knows what they actually mean. Furthermore, remembering that tattoos are not easily removed, getting an unsavory tattoo that might be regretted later is also not a good idea. But, to each their own. All that to say that tattoos are something that should not be done in the moment. They should be contemplated at length, properly planned for, and done safely with a reputable artist. However, what age is appropriate for tattoos? Is there an age that is too young? After all, parents can sign for someone under the legal age. Is there an age too old? Should someone have to sign for a geriatric person? These are the questions that need answered. For me, I don’t think tattoos will ever be a thing, but if someone is passionate enough to mark their body, then I think, within reason, there should not be an age limit, and no one else should have a say about the tattoo. Sure, it would be weird to have a toddler running around with a spiderweb tattooed on their elbow, and I don’t think grandma needs that teardrop beneath her eye, but any reasonable person with a reasonable piece of artwork or writing should have the right to display it as they please. And if, at the legal age of getting a tattoo, someone gets a tat, my advice is to get it in a place that can be covered so that crappy employers can’t say anything. Let’s be honest, it may be a fabulous job that you’re passing on over a tattoo and not everyone understands art. Then during your own time, show off that art all you want, just as long as showing it off doesn’t involve removing your pants to let people see a “warrior” tattoo that actually says “dirty boy”. But that is just one man’s opinion. Thanks for listening to me ramble. I appreciate it. See you next time.