BY RACHEL HAAS
One of the most important topics that parents should discuss with their children is the choice of having a tattoo. As I roam the CCHS hallways, I’ve noticed that more and more students have been “tatting up.” Whether the designs appeal to me or not, it is important to consider both the troubles and benefits that might arise from their perpetuity.
Should high school teenagers be getting tattoos? Trying to evaluate which side is stronger is a difficult. However, the cons are stronger than the pros in this situation. Something that may look totally awesome on your body may turn into a huge speed bump in the future. More and more jobs are maintaining strict rules on tattoo free employees. Law firms, Administrative Assistants, Financial Institutions, Private school teachers, Hospitality fields, and Management are only some of the many careers that are firm on the “no visible tattoos” policies. Employers often believe they are unprofessional and intimidating to the public. The general public still sees ink and associates it with non-law abiding citizens. You would never want to lose a great opportunity to someone who is not tatted. Think about it, when have you seen a doctor with tattoos? If you did come across one, would you let them treat you? On the other hand, if you saw a big rock sensation without tattoos, would you trust them to be edgy gods? Would Adam Levine be even close to as appealing as he is now without his ink?
Keep in mind the large investments of getting and keeping up with the tattoo. The average cost of tattoo service is two hundred dollars for a single session, and it can take up to four sessions to complete one tattoo. As a teenager, investments should be going toward college funds and future planning. The repercussions of regret might haunt you when you start to become an adult or an elder. Teenagers are known for their impulsive decision making skills, and the consequences of this can be scarring. In light of the negative commentary, tattoos do give students chances to express themselves. A remembrance or memorial tattoo may mean a lot to someone, therefore making it meaningful.
Limitations on jobs will be relevant to people that have tattoos. That is along with the many precautions you should be taking when you decide to have something permanently imprinted on your skin. Some of my friends are very proud of what they have gotten, and I’ve even heard stories of parents going with their kids to get tattoos with them as a bonding experience. Tattoos are not intended to be temporary, it’s not like removal surgery is easy. It’s a long, painful process that goes by extremely slowly and is extremely expensive. As tattoos gain popularity among teenagers, it is critical they also consider the effects they can have later on in life.
