Hey there, I’ve got a question that’s been on my mind a lot over the last few years. Not sure if it’s a “general question” or more up for discussion, so posting here (Mods please move to the right place if this isn’t it, thanks!)
The question: Why are tattoos so popular these days?
Doing some internet research, the best thing I could come up with is that marking yourself with one or more tattoos is a way of establishing one’s unique identity, in a time where people feel more cut off from their friends, homes, etc. compared to past generations. Having access to those things–your community-- provided a solid sense of place. Lacking it may give people an existential crisis.
This may explain most of it, but I feel there’s something else in play. For instance, some people, when they reach a certain stage in their life, maybe after having lost something, will decide it’s time to load themselves up with tattoos all over. What causes this? What does it mean?
I’ve never been able to understood tattoos. Some of them are nice, but I would not want to get one myself. I just don’t feel the need. I’ve always been curious why others do.
BTW, I’m looking for why they seem so amazingly common these days, compared to when I was growing up 30-40 years ago. Just saying “Well, I like tattoos, so…” isn’t the kind of answer I’m looking for.
Except the answer is almost certainly going to be, “I like tattoos, so…”. As to why people like them, well, partly it’s symbolic and meaningful to the wearer, partly because some simply consider it to be art or decorative, partly it’s because it’s fashionable/trendy and has become more acceptable.
Different people like different things. Go figure!
Tattoos were once the near exclusive province of sailors, bikers, criminals, convicts, and uncivilized savages, and sporting one labeled you as part of one of those groups, as recently as the 1980s.
But times have changed. People have a need to self-express, and tattoos are now a mainstream and socially acceptable medium for self-expression. There are grandmothers walking around now with tramp stamps they got back in 1990.
Yep. I got the tattos I have (a lot) in the very late 70’s/very early eighties. Except for a couple of coverups.
I’m not going to get into the question of why tatoos are more fashionable, and respectable, than they were once.
I’ll just say this – like, perhaps, the grandmas mentioned in DCnDC’s post, I wonder why the fuck I did whatever I did forty years ago. Tattoos and other stuff, but the tattoos show. I can’t spend my whole life walking around with long sleeves and my collar buttoned up.
But really, what the fuck was I thinking? I mean, they’re not bad tattoos, and the coverups dealt with the ones that no longer represent anything about me, but I wouldn’t do it again.
Also, to those considering tattoos, keep in mind how they’re going to look forty years of sun and age down the road.
I feel there’s a tattoos arms race now, people now have to get bigger and more outlandish tattoos to beat the next guy and become THE most interesting person at the party.
Literally the worst thing you can ever do is ask someone with multiple tattoos the story behind them. Be prepared to stand there and listen to them explain at length the full 30 minute story of how and why they got their tattoos.
Somehow, end of high school, I talked my parental unit into gifting me a tattoo for my birthday. I had to go a couple towns away for the nearest tattoo parlor. Luckily, I never got one because I got weirded out by all the offensive, racist, biker and gang tattoos and could never decide what I wanted on my arm for the rest of my life. Today, it seems like every town, every strip mall has a tattoo parlor.
Yeah. And, circular and unsatisying as it is, I’m sure a major part of the answer is that “Tattoos are more popular and mainstream nowadays because tattoos are more popular and mainstream nowadays.” People are way more likely to get tattoos when their friends and neighbors and the celebrities they like have tattoos.
Saintly, I appreciate your posting this, err, admission. This is what I’ve never been able to get about tattoos. Why put something on your body which is going to be there permanently? It just smacks of impulsiveness and lack of foresight.
Of course, I’m the ultra-cautious, deliberative sort. (Which I concede has its own disadvantages.) So I just cannot relate to throwing caution to the wind like that. There’s no rubbing it off. (Not sure how well laser tattoo removal works these days.)
Possibly a change in the sources of popular music stars? i.e. as various forms of rock and hip-hop gained market share in the 80s and 90s, there were more tatooed role models?
So, like, we are going to entirely ignore the fact that, back when it was all sailors, bikers and ex cons, tattooing was far, FAR more painful than it is today. Like a LOT.
My first tattoo, as small as the tip of a finger though it be, I still squirmed and fussed while it was going on and was in no hurry to get another. I looked on persons with full sleeves, etc, as possessing true fortitude.
Until I started seeing LOTS of them. Having a second tattoo, 30 yrs after the first, made or clear, technology had advanced in tattooing, too. No where near as painful. I wouldn’t hesitate to get another, the pain and discomfort were so negligible.
I am the ultra-cautious, deliberative sort and I have tattoos. When I started getting them (early 90’s), it was for attention. Throughout high school and college, I was placed firmly in the nerdy girl corner and didn’t want to be there. I also dyed my hair super copper penny red to stand out and dressed uniquely. I didn’t have the ability to express myself verbally, through writing, through art, so I did it with my appearance. As I grew older, I let my hair go back to natural grey, now dress “earth mother” as friends tell me, yet I still appreciate every tattoo I have and look forward to getting more when allowed.
(FWIW laser removal is a long process, can be more painful than getting the tattoo itself, and if the original tattoo was done well, almost impossible to fully erase)