Exploratory Essay on Stigma of Tattoos

Tattoos no longer represent the stigma that they once held, and should not serve as an impediment to gainful employment or a negative impression left in social situations. Those with a few easily hidden tattoos, or a few discreetly-sized tattoos can now be considered part of mainstream culture, while those who have whole body tattoos, large piercings, and tattoos on their faces have moved to the extremes of body modification. Those who go to such extremes may be limiting the types of employment they may be able to gain. Tattooing has a long and venerated history in many cultures, and should be embraced by ours as well. In fact, tattoos have been correlated to those having greater genetic health.

Firstly, the population that embraces tattoos has radically shifted from prison culture and bikers to middle class individuals and students, and secondly those acquiring tattoos have risen dramatically. Some estimates put the number of those tattooed in the U.S. at one in ten, but others estimate the rate to be as high as one in five (Roberts 153). Given both the prevalence and the growing acceptance of tattoos in mainstream society, employers could lose out on talent and skill if they choose to discriminate on the basis of having a tattoo. Conversely though, those who get full body tattoos or tattoos on the face must be willing to fully embrace marginalization (Bell 55-6); therefore tattoo placement may be the real issue rather than tattooing itself. Progressive companies such as Internet startups and pharmaceutical companies in particular should grant wider leverage towards those with tattoos.

In an article exploring tattoo acceptance in the workplace, Erika Icon found that attitudes were changing. Certain companies like Boarders, Wal-Mart, and Ford were welcoming of employees who had visible tattoos. An article from the BBC found many "normal" people who had gotten tattoos, including a 44 year old schoolteacher (Rhorer).

As a case in point, Carl Zimmer, author and contributor to the U.S. science magazine Discover, has recently published a book in 2007 that features scientists and their tattoos. The book had its basis in a question posted on Zimmer's blog, which asked scientists and students of science to submit their tattoos. He received hundreds of responses. In Science Ink, these images, as well as some that were unpublished, are reproduced in full color. Neurons wrap around legs, and the Bohr atomic model appears on many forearms. Some computer scientists have tattoos of their names in binary code, the power on button, or one-bit binary full adders (a component of a computer chip). Zimmer's book beautifully illustrates the fact that intelligent professionals do in fact get themselves tattooed.

Some may assume that those who get tattoos are physically weak or psychologically challenged, and are trying to identify with counterculture elements such as "punks" or "emos." However, Adam Hadhazy reports on preliminary findings from the University of Wroclaw in Poland revealing that those with tattoos may exhibit greater physical symmetry, which is a longstanding metric for genetic health. Symmetry is also correlated with physical attractiveness in both sexes. While no difference was found among the 200 female research subjects, men were more likely to exhibit physical symmetry. Hadhazy speculates that men are flaunting their ability to withstand injury and infection because of their greater genetic health.

Rubin argues that articles that link tattooing to self-mutilation are off the mark. Lawrence Rubin is both the owner of quite a few tattoos and also a practicing psychologist. He states that "the socio/anthropological possibility that tats and piercings may demonstrate loyalty, affiliation, or be a ritualistic rite of passage" (Rubin). Tattoos may also represent an interfacing of those who receive them with a willingness to endure pain, much as someone scaling a mountain or running a marathon. He also posits that those receiving a tattoo may wish to express themselves in ways that flout the anonymous society in which they find themselves living, one predicated on materialism and similar styles of clothing.

Tattoos used to carry a high risk of blood-borne diseases. Those in the army and prisons would often get their tattoos cleaned of blood and excess ink with a rag moistened with the artist's saliva, thereby passing along hepatitis C, syphilis, or TB. Current regulations in the U.S. provide oversight on the state, city,