A Body Art Guide for Parents of Teens Who Want Piercings and Tattoos

By Lolaness, published Nov 22, 2005
Published Content: 475  Total Views: 3,028,182  Favorited By: 190 CPs
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I’m a 27-year old mother of a beautiful little girl. I have a bachelor’s degree in graphic and multimedia design, have taught on a professional level, and have been writing since … well, I was first published at age 11. Many people who know these things about me are shocked to then discover that I love body art; right down to my pierced tongue, nipples, 6 holes in my ears and my first tattoo (it won’t be the last), there is nothing about body art which fails to fascinate me.

So, perhaps, I can represent a more-mature voice in the quest many teens go through in order to have their bodies made different … honestly, that’s what body art and body “modification” usually comes down to. Far from being a pathological problem, studies show that young people indulge in body art for the same reasons that adults dye their hair or tout daring fashion styles: to differentiate themselves from the crowd.

Being the parent of a teen who wants to get body art can be like walking a mine field. It is perfectly normal to feel like you’ve been left out of the decision-making process, and completely at odds with your own child.

Doesn’t That Hurt?

Tattoos and body piercing are far more mainstream than many parents (or the average adult) realize. The thought that your kid wants to shove a huge needle through their tongue or bellybutton might be shocking… but there are more extreme forms of body modification out there. For instance, branding (yup – the same thing that cowboys do to livestock), scarification (a form of “tattoo” that is made from cuts to the skin), and stretched earlobes are far from uncommon.

Texas Tech University School of Nursing performed a study of more than 2100 adolescents in schools from eight different states. Professor Myrna Armstrong found that 1 in 10 of these students had a tattoo, and that more than half were interested in getting one. This interest spanned all income levels and ethnic groups. The one rather eye-opening fact was that most of the students interested in body art were A and B students.

A Body Art Guide for Parents of Teens Who Want Piercings and Tattoos

If a teenager is determined, they will find a way to get body art performed. Preventing major damage or serious illness and disease can become a bigger concern for most parents than how many holes their teenager decides they want to have in their body.

Credit: jacopoL

Copyright: jacopoL

Takeaways
  • From Miss America contestants to movie icons, body art has become mainstream.
  • You might not be able to stop your teen from getting body art, but you can prevent damage.
  • Temporary forms of body art can be a good trial experiences for teens.
Did You Know?
Ask the artist how they clean their needles. If they don't say they autoclave, you are taking your risks. If they say they do, ask to see their machine. Note that in some states, autoclaving is required by law.
Resources
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
 
 
thanks :] maybe you can talk to my mom for me? :D

Posted on 07/05/2008 at 2:07:23 PM

 
I have 6 piercings, one belly piecing and 5 in my ears, I'm getting my tongue done next week! I don't no how they do these things in the states, but in the Uk, the parents tend to find out about the piercing afterwards!

Posted on 08/05/2007 at 8:08:00 AM

 
Please e-mail my mom.

Posted on 07/16/2007 at 8:07:00 PM

 
man im a teen and i want to get a tattoo but my parents wont let me... :( what do i do.. i want to get one!

Posted on 05/31/2007 at 4:05:00 PM

 
Only alteration I'd make is that piercing guns should only be used on ear/lobes/. I had a cartiledge piercing done with a gun and all I can say is 'ow'.

Posted on 04/08/2007 at 2:04:00 PM

 
I am a teen looking for ways to convince my parents to let me get another piercing in my ear, I only have one, and your article was very helpful. Now I can point out some of your ideas to them, Thanks.

Posted on 09/03/2006 at 1:09:00 PM

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