Tatoos and piercings, right or wrong
By CHELSEA ARNOLD
Contributing writer
Many people today find body art and piercings to be the norm. Then other people seem to see it as a great sin. It is impossible to walk into any public place and not find somebody with a strange tattoo or a stand-out piercing. It used to be called weird, but no longer is it called the "W" word, it is the "D" word — different.
Some people think body-art makes them look beautiful. Maybe. But in six months, will they still be satisfied? Or will they need to take another trip to the tattoo artist and try again. "It's a rush," I heard somebody say, "Once you start you can't stop."
More than 40% of 18- to 29-year-olds had some body art or placed a hole in their body somewhere other than their ears. Sixteen percent of the 30 to 49 group went for the body décor. And for the old guys 50 years and older, nine percent bought these accessories. "It's an expression of art and fashion," many tattoo-ists say.
Another thing to think of is not only today's style, but the next decade when you get rid of most of your old clothes. That tattoo can't be thrown out so easy. A piercing can close up, but a tattoo removal can be difficult. Lasers can get rid of them, but that process can be very costly. It leaves a light mark and it is very painful.
Most parents are against their child marking their body. I know if I told my mom I wanted a tattoo, she would say something like, "OK, just as soon as you start paying your own room and board."
Another thing to consider is what you want people to think when you walk down the street. Many people are quick to judge and slow to learn. What would you think if you saw one of your classmates walking around with two nose rings, an armful of tattoos, and an eyebrow ring?
So that leaves me with my question — right or wrong? Of course they are not wrong, I am just asking you to consider what you do.
When you are married with kids will you still want naked chicks painted on your body?
