Not too long ago, tattoos were seen as a form of rebellion. Today, tattoos can be seen as a form of self expression in young adults or high schoolers whether it’s a memory, a tribute to a loved one, a quote, or something that looks cool to the person.
Everyday, more and more students are getting inked up, but with school, friends, parents and future jobs, this could be a trend kids might regret down the line.
For many students, a tattoo can be a symbolic and sentimental piece of artwork on the body. It can represent something, or someone special. Senior Niko Anastasi chose to honor a family event.
“When I was at my dad’s wedding in Las Vegas, he told his new wife in his vows that he’d kill every spider from there on out for her and so I decided to get a spider on my arm,” Anastasi said.
Senior Evan West has a different reason for his ink. “It’s for my religion,” West said, referring to his tattoo of three crosses.
Some people view these permanent pieces of art in a positive way, whilst others may not.
“Do I think I get judged behind my back? Oh, 100%,” Anastasi said.
Students, teachers and parents may not agree with this choice of self expression, but students like Anastasi and West remain unfazed.
While tattoos can be a powerful form of self expression, they may not always be the best idea at a young age.
Associate Principal, Dan Alderson pointed out the potential risks of getting a tattoo at a young age.
“The prefrontal cortex in young folks… is not fully developed… so forethought, executive decision making, may be not at its peak yet, at 15 or 16 years old,” Alderson said.
This means that high school students may not be ready mentally to make such a big permanent decision. Seriously thinking about the long-term consequences of these tattoos, how they can affect aspects of their lives like future job opportunities, may not be as clear at a younger age.
In a survey from a 2008 ran Harris Poll showed 83% of people who have tattoos do not regret the decision. Of those who do regret it, 20% reported the cause was because they were too young when they received the tattoo.
There are many pros and cons to getting one or more tattoos in high school. They can be a meaningful way to express your identity.
English Teacher, Brianna Ames, has many tattoos with sentimental values attached.
“Originally, when I started getting tattoos, they probably all had meaning… Now I have so many tattoos that I don’t really have to have a specific meaning anymore. If I like it, I just get it,” Ames said
Ames also talked about how when people are younger, they might like the idea of a tattoo, but in the future, they might have a change of heart.
“I do have like a peanut butter and jelly that my friend and I got, which like now as an adult, I’m like eh maybe I don’t need a, peanut butter and jelly, sandwich tattoo, but it’s there,” Ames said.
Loading ...Tattoos printed on high school students continue to rise throughout the world whether it’s meant as self expression, standing out as an individual, following a trend or to capture a sentimental memory.
This trend might continue to rise, but these are permanent art pieces on the body. They will not come off.
