Ink.

August 10, 2010

Tattoos.  They’re a controversial subject and I will respectfully decline to declare myself “pro” or “anti”; however, in the last 5-7 years, I have observed a marked change in the way tattoos are worn and presented and witnessed what appears to be a change in the demographic profile of the tattooed population.  Before you read on, please note that no scientific tests have been conducted to lead me to these conclusions nor have I collected any data on the subject.  The following thoughts are simply my own ruminations. That said…

When I was little (i.e. in the 80s and early 90s), I associated “body art” with people that I did not aspire to be like (this was probably much to my parents’ happiness): Rosanne Barr, Tommy Lee (and Pamela Anderson), Dennis Rodman.  As such, tattoos, for me, connoted slovenliness in both appearance and life choices.  This perception was further exacerbated by the following circumstances: (i) I didn’t really know any inked adults when I was a kid and (ii) I had been warned so many times by my mother and father about the regret that some people later in life have when they end up with tattoos that they’d selected as naive young’uns that I involuntarily flashed looks of “I feel bad for you” sympathy at middle-aged strangers who sported them.

It’s hard to know whether tattoos have begun to appeal to a different population now or whether I’m just older with a more mature perception of the world, but it seems to me that I’m seeing more and more people that I would aspire to be like (well look like or be with) rocking body art.  Sure, the same unkempt profiles of the next generation continue to have tattoos: the various 20-something concubines of Jesse James, the  made-famous-from-a-train-wreck-reality-show Tila Tequila, the why-would-you-tattoo-your-face rapper Lil’ Wayne, and the what-color-is-your-skin-under-there Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker.

But, the new generation of tat-wearers also includes clean-cut studs like John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Kobe Bryant and David Beckham whose ink makes these otherwise wholesome-looking guys appear more edgy.  The younger inked generation also includes several attractive and well-assembled females: Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, and Rihanna. 

So - was it this way all along and I was just too young to notice OR has the tattoo-sporting population expanded since I was a little one?  “Good question, Rachel ,” you’re thinking. Well, unfortunately, I don’t know.  But I do know that the way I process tattoos has changed as I’ve gotten older and while I doubt that I’d ever sit in a chair to get one, I wouldn’t immediately rule out anyone who had one (or a few).

-R