Email
Print
Feed
The Psychology of Tattoos |
Tweet |
You think it, they’ll ink it: why people get tattoos
The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who have tattoos, and those who are afraid of people with tattoos. Honestly, I was raised to be among the latter group. After all, who did I know growing up in Newark, New Jersey, the Weequahic section, who had tattoos? Sailors, criminals, thugs, “greasers” and just “bad guys.”
In fact, psychologists who conduct research on tattoos suffer from a mental block created for centuries that associated tattoos with an aberrant personality. Yet, as I’ve come to know more people with tattoos, I’ve discovered that tattoo designs always carry a meaning and tell you something about the person and his or her background.
The fact is, tattoo-lovers are a proud lot — they have consciously taken the decision to tattoo their bodies and would like to proudly declare that they are what they are. They are ordinary people like you and me, except that they have a strong sense of identity they have no intention of hiding. They are not scared of public opinion and would love to let others know what they believe in. And good for them! Over the centuries, instead of becoming an extinct practice, tattoos have gained in popularity — which only goes to prove that it has stood the test of time and is here to stay.
The earliest tattoos found are more than 5,000 years old. In 1991, a 5,300-year-old mummy was discovered in the Alps. He had more than 50 tattoos on various parts of his body, and he is the oldest human ever found to have tattoos. The rationale of tattoos has differed from one culture to another during the centuries. According to history, Egyptians used tattoos to differentiate slaves and peasants. Tattoos spread to China and then to Greece around 2,000 B.C. where they were used as a mode of communication between spies.
Tattooing has been practiced in Japan and other Asian countries for thousands of years. The first written record of tattooing in Japan was found in a history of the Chinese Dynasty from the year 297 A.D. Today in Japan, tattooing is considered taboo, because many of the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia, wear tattoos.
America got its first taste of tattooing from Chatham Square, located in New York. This was a place frequented by people from all over the US, especially the rich and famous. A man called Samuel O’Reilly set us his tattoo shop in this area. He was the first man to use an electric tattoo gun.
San Diego has plenty of proud tattoo artists, tattoo shops and a rich tattoo culture. With names like The Flying Panther Tattoo Shop, Avalon, Chronic, Guru, Body Mark’s Tattoo, Propaganda, Black Rose, and Vista’s recently approved first tattoo parlor, Frontline Tattoo, these shops are prospering as more people ink their bodies. You’ll never hear an “oops” at one of these premier tattoo shops.
Why are they doing it? From getting noticed, to a badge of honor, from identifying with a group to a badge of social rejection, there are many individual reasons. Asking a wide swath of people who have tattoos why someone would get something permanently imprinted on their skin reveals five basic reasons.
• Tattoos represent a loved one, living or passed away
• Religious reasons including crosses and the face of Jesus or Mary
• Military tattoos representing patriotism
• A dumb mistake (tattoos can be removed, so this reason is diminishing) • Just for fun — just “because” a friend did it
Tattoos are a mark of the 21st century, and it’s estimated that more than 25 percent of people under 30 are inking their skin. Personal expression, youthful impulsiveness, drunken mistake — the fact is that while it’s trendy, cool and even sexy, there are murky risks to one’s health. Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good, so be sure the little butterfly you think looks hot on your hip will be what you want 50 years from now, if you can still find it. In other words, think before you ink!
For more than 30 years, Dr. Mantell has successfully been bringing upbeat, friendly and helpful psychological insights to individuals, families and businesses in San Diego as a clinical and corporate psychologist in private practice. He's been a regular on Good Morning America, KFMB-TV News 8, has appeared on Oprah, Larry King Live, the Today show, authored two best-selling books and speaks regularly for audiences throughout the country. He can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/michael.mantell and Twitter at DrSanDiego.
Do you like what you read? Subscribe to San Diego Magazine »
Comments posted here do not necessarily reflect the views of the byline author or San Diego Magazine. Keep your comments civil, stay on the topic and your posts will remain online. Comments that use foul language, ethnic slurs or sexually suggestive language will be deleted. Posters who continually harass others or disobey the rules will be banned permanently from commenting on this Web site.
Reader Comments:
Tattoos.............feh. I don't understand why someone would mutilate themself in such a permanent way. Go get a rub on tattoo and stop painting your body...you look like fools to me. I bet you will get a flood of email on this one, Dr. M.
I wear a "sleeve" tattoo, which I know scares the hell out of some people, and my boss made it clear i have to keep it covered. Aside from that, I love it, my girlfriend loves it and she's got half her arm already inked. We love the list you gave of the best tattoo shops in town...ours in one of the one's you mentioned! They never say "oops" like you said...cool doc!
I honestly love tattoos...my mother and my sister have lots of them. I hope one day that I'm not such a wuss and get one
As a young person I was intrigued by tattoos but the whole idea of being repeatedly stuck with a needle just didn't float my boat.
As I became an adult tattoos were still outside the mainstream and seemed to be the provenance of bikers and fringe elements.
The first time I realized that tattoos were becoming a real fad was when I saw of photo of Rosie O'Donnel with a tattoo of some sort around her ankle. I found myself questioning why someone so singularly unappealing would want to call attention to her body. Roseanne Barr-Arnold Whatever started decorating herself to my utter dismay. It was starting to put me way off.
Then, I saw a picture of Pamela Anderson with a 'barbed wire' tattoo running around her upper arm and suddenly tattoos made a whole lot MORE sense. I have a gal pal of many years who married a rocker back in the 1970's and got a tiny butterly tattooed on her tummy below her navel. Two children and a lifetime later she calls it her "Big ol' moth".
As a young person I was intrigued by tattoos but the whole idea of being repeatedly stuck with a needle just didn't float my boat.
As I became an adult tattoos were still outside the mainstream and seemed to be the provenance of bikers and fringe elements.
The first time I realized that tattoos were becoming a real fad was when I saw of photo of Rosie O'Donnel with a tattoo of some sort around her ankle. I found myself questioning why someone so singularly unappealing would want to call attention to her body. Roseanne Barr-Arnold Whatever started decorating herself to my utter dismay. It was starting to put me way off.
Then, I saw a picture of Pamela Anderson with a 'barbed wire' tattoo running around her upper arm and suddenly tattoos made a whole lot MORE sense. I have a gal pal of many years who married a rocker back in the 1970's and got a tiny butterly tattooed on her tummy below her navel. Two children and a lifetime later she calls it her "Big ol' moth".
Tattoos generate a whole lot of emotion it seems and Dr. San Diego got it right...from religion to patriotism to love to "the heck with you," it's why I haven't inked myself and discouraged my kids from doing it...besides, who wants to be in a professional setting and see someone's "tramp stamp." I love your "think before you ink" advice! As always, a great weekly tip to live life well.
Ok..I think tatoos really started getting more "exposure" wth the NBA..the portraits of the wifey and the mom and the kids, the tribal bands..ok I get it on black guys...but honestly, white guys look like they are a truckdriver, and please..c'mon girls..don't do this to ur body..and if you do..hide the crap. Most women who have tatoos don't even wear make up..so addition of art and color...hypocriticle.
you should be proud to see this article approved by "The Scary Guy" - he suffered a fair bit form prejudice for having tattoos all over face and body, piercings to - but as the article says - he is proud of his developed identity and feels no need to hide it.
In fact he has used it to turn himself into a one man world wide mission to defeat bullying in schools and help put a stop to hate, fear, prejudice and death. Check him out - google, wikipedia whatever - tattoos sort out the way we look at people, skin deep is more interesting with added colour - but be sure to look in the eyes - then you see the heart.
all the best,
UK visitor...
The Scary Guy - Do check him out. http://www.thescaryguy.com
His work has changed lives and saved lives more times over thann will ever be reported. Tattoos are temporary. They die when you die. Your actions on this planet are not temporary. They live on in people you have no idea that you impacted. What will you do with your words today?
The Scary Guy - Do check him out. http://www.thescaryguy.com
His work has changed lives and saved lives more times over thann will ever be reported. Tattoos are temporary. They die when you die. Your actions on this planet are not temporary. They live on in people you have no idea that you impacted. What will you do with your words today?