Why Tattoo Shaming Needs to End

Imagine saying these words to your grandfather, “What is wrong with you? Why did you paint your living room orange? You’re going to regret this in ten years. No one is going to want to hang out in your living room anymore. Imagine how this is going to look for Thanksgiving. You’re insane.”

Now imagine saying, “What is wrong with you? Why did you get a tattoo? You’re going to regret this when you’re older. No one is going to hire you. Imagine how you’ll look with this on your wedding day. You’re insane.”

See the difference? Me neither.

According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2008, at least 36 percent of Americans ages 18 to 25 have tattoos. So, if you’re comfortable with saying things like “you’ll regret that when you’re older,” or “you’ll never get a job like that,” to over a third of your friends – go right ahead, but it’s going to get old quick.

It’s okay to have a tattoo. It’s okay to have twenty tattoos. It’s okay to have a body full of tattoos, hair that’s a ‘non-traditional’ color and pierced nipples, if that’s what you’re into.

But It’s not okay to shame people for ornamenting their bodies in a way that makes them happy, confident or secure.

Think you’ve heard it all? Check out some amazing women who don’t let the tattoo shaming get to them.

“Are you built Ford tough?” I get this constantly. You wouldn’t think having ‘strong’ tattooed on your back would make others’ responses so weak. Is that the only kind of strong? I can’t be strong for standing up for women? I can’t be strong for calling my rape what it was – a rape? I can’t be strong for being my own person? I can only be “built Ford tough,” or “army strong”? I’m more than that. And my tattoos remind me of that every day. I’m my own kind of strong.” – Kat, 24.

“You’re such a pretty girl. Why would you do that to yourself?” – Chelsea, 21.

“Some people compliment them while others remark that they’re cool, but they would never get one. Ultimately, it’s my body and I’m going to decorate it with whatever I want, whether it be clothing, makeup, or tattoos.” – Ariana, 20.

“I always feel like I should have some interesting story behind them and when people’s interest slowly fades as I tell them about my tattoos I usually just drop the subject. As I get older, I realize that it only matters what I think about them and how they make me feel, not other people’s judgements or opinions.” – Kristen, 21.

“When I got my first tattoo, we asked the artist about the weirdest tattoo he had ever done. He said he hated that question because who is he to judge what someone else wants on their body?” – Becca, 21.

“I wanted just a regular infinity sign – it just had a lot of meaning to me. But then it got really popular and I didn’t want to get something that everyone else had. So I found this tattoo shop and I went in, and when I told the artist, he said ‘An infinity sign? Really? That’s not original, I don’t know why you would want that.’ He made me feel stupid. You shouldn’t judge someone on what they want to get tattooed. Art is art.” – Alex, 21.

I got this for my grandmother on what would have been her 69th birthday. It’s a lavender plant and lyrics to a song she used to sing to me, and I drew it myself. It’s the thing I’m most proud of and my favorite part of myself. I can’t imagine telling someone they’re wrong for doing something this meaningful to their own bodies.

None of us have had the same lives. Everyone has had struggles. Everyone sees beauty differently. Don’t make someone feel ashamed for having a different concept of beauty than you do. Let’s respect the differences that make us all unique and beautiful.

• proud
• tattoo