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Tattoos And Identity

Other groups have used tattoos to mark a person as a criminal or a liar. During WW II the Germans tattooed numbers on all Jews in concentration camps that still can be seen on some of the holocaust survivors. So as you can see the tattoo has an extensive history that goes way beyond your typical stereotypes.
             The old stigma the tattoo had and still has to a certain point is that tattoos are for biker gangs and sailors. If you had a tattoo up until the 1980's you were either a biker or a sailor, these were the two identities" that were associated with the tattoo. The truth is the reason sailors had tattoos was because originally they were visiting these foreign countries where tattoos were status symbols and ways of expression. Sailors visiting these places thought the tattoos were exotic art forms and naturally they too received tattoos. The impression that bikers were the only other group with tattoos is true because they were the largest group in the public eye to have tattoos. The reasons gangs have tattoos according to Bartash is because gangs use their bodies as a canvas in which they write a message that shows they belong to a specific group but also as a form of intimidation to other rival gangs. These were the first two groups who were to use the tattoo in showing it as apart of their identity; because of this tattoos received a very bad reputation as lower class, social deviants, tacky and just plan bad. Many people say that this is the reason tattoo parlors were banned for so many years when in fact the true reason tattoo shops were banned is because in the 1950's tattoo shops and people receiving tattoos were spreading hepatitis. Though tattoo shops are once again legal with no threat of hepatitis the reputation of outlaw deviant still can not be shaken.
             One of the biggest question asked by people with out tattoos is why did you get a tattoo? There is no one specific answer to this question everyone gets tattooed for different reasons.


Essays Related to Tattoos And Identity

1. Tattoos

... or self-destructive aspects of body alterations; neo-tribalist body art often stresses transformation - gaining control over one's body, undergoing a rite of passage, or the desire to carve an individual identity in a conformist culture." Whatever the intent, Wojcik regards all body art as a form of self-expression - "Body adornment can be a way for people to empower themselves through style, ... the status quo. It distinguishes someone from the mainstream, it serves as a badge of identity and it can be a way for people to create an identity and a sense of community." Wojcik, however, d...

  • Word Count: 1651
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2. Tattoos: Not Just Skin Deep

... themselves. Often when people overcome an obstacle or show bravery they get a tattoo where a veteran has a medal to show off instead. Historically, tattoos have shown honor and rank. Tattoos can also express interests and personality. Tattoos are not, as many people think, merely contemporary fads designed for shock effect but rather they are adornments often of cultural significance going back into ... see a friend or a celebrity "icon" has it and they want it done. They even use tattoos as permanent make-up. Modern individuals may do it for all sorts of reasons, trivial or profound, bu...

  • Word Count: 1017
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3. Tattoos: not just skin deep

... themselves. Often when people overcome an obstacle or show bravery they get a tattoo where a veteran has a medal to show off instead. Historically, tattoos have shown honor and rank. Tattoos can also express interests and personality. Tattoos are not, as many people think, merely contemporary fads designed for shock effect but rather they are adornments often of cultural significance going back into ... see a friend or a celebrity "icon" has it and they want it done. They even use tattoos as permanent make-up. Modern individuals may do it for all sorts of reasons, trivial or profound, bu...

  • Word Count: 885
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. The Beauty and Significance of Body Art

... acceptable and pleasing to the eye; but can be used as a form of self-expression and developing identity as a person. Body shaping, tattoos, clothing, make up and scarification are stages of coming of age and can provide history depending on the culture. All around the world and seen in many different cultures, artistic expression is incorporated into everyone's daily life. Hair, clothing, tattoos, and body ... modification is seen on streets and within any trending magazines whether ... similar to Lady Gaga's style in current videos. Enid Schildkrout believes body art is a visual lan...

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5. Body Art and Tattoos

... . In the 1990's, between Austria and Italy, a human body was recovered with lots of tattoos; it is estimated that the man died somewhere 3200 BCE. It is possible that the body marks were in some ways medicinal or use in a practice of healing; however, it could also be decorative and bearers of meaning in terms of rank and identity. There is also reason to believe ... that tattooing took place in ancient Greece, Persia, and among the ... ancient Britons and Gauls, as well as Africa, in the Americas and throughout Asia. In many cultures the tattooing process tested the endurance of male p...

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6. Analysing Movement Into and Idententity in the Gothic Subculture

... which they identify. "Those who are believed by themselves to be similar, share an identity (Haralambos &Holborn 2002:921)." Popular styles (which are part of the cultures identity) evident in the literature are: anything black (and dark colours), silver, to look paler, dyed hair, makeup, symbols (such a cross), tattoos, piercings, chains, spikes, a box, band T-shirts etc. (A study of the Gothic subculture). According to Porter ... have to down play their appearance for work, but they still essentially try to retain a few elements of their individuality. Other elements that can be attri...

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7. Self Presentation and Identification

... a profoundly personal experience. It changes not only the way in which others perceive a person but also the way that person perceives himself or herself. This change in both oneself identification and other peoples perception of a person is, for many, an integral part of the decision to become pierced. Ones appearance has been linked, often through dress, to an affiliation with a particular ... difficult to express ones rejection of, or objection to, a culture if the culture in question already has a labeled stereotype to which any aspiring rebel conforms. This system of categorization...

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8. Art and Literacy - Autobiography

... forever, as it will continue to do so. As I will demonstrate through this autobiography of my literacy, experiences gained through the process of "growing up " really do help build a person's identity. My earliest memory of literacy was spending time as a young, curious child, with a crayon or colored pencil, drawing colorful little scribbles all over anything that was acceptable to draw on ... pan out. I would have a steady job, or apprenticeship, where I could do something that I love. Having the chance to learn how to do tattoos would have been a tremendous impact on my literacy. It ...

  • Word Count: 2005
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9. Biometrics and Security

... work developing new ways for users to identify themselves to their devices. In today's society our lives are computer and technology driven, and with this are growing problems such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and other important information that is stored on your computer and mobile device. We all have many accounts that use multiple passwords on ever increasing amount of computers ... when he discovered anthropometry (the use of body measurements to identify criminals) in the late 19th century. His theory included recording suspect's body movements and defects on their bodies,...

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