To Inc or Not to Inc - the Meaning of Tattoos Among Collage Students

Lynda Dickson, Richard L. Dukes, Hilary Smith, Noel Strapko “To Inc or not to Inc : The Meaning of Tattoos among Collage Students” College Student Journal. Spring2015, Vol. 49 Issue 1, p106-120. 15p.

To get a tattoo or not? This question is being discussed more and more frequently. But who are the people who want to get it? To what social class are they belong?  According to what factors do people decide to make a tattoo? The authors of the article “To Inc or nor to Inc : The Meaning of Tattoos among College Students” Lynda Dickson (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs), Richard L. Dukes (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs), Hilary Smith (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs), Noel Strapko (Colorado State University) have made a research concerning the process of getting a tatoo, the meaning of tatoos for collage students, popularity of tatoos in our times and attitude of people to tattos. The research is based on the response of 458 undergraduate students from a medium-sized public university which is located in the Western United States.

The Authors could not mention the fact that the public attitude to the tattoos was changing through time. More and more people get tattoos nowadays. The annual percentage of people who have a tattoo has grown from the 1990’s. The national survey shows that only “3% of respondents had at least one tattoo (Armstrong & Fell, 2000)” (To Ink Or Not To Ink: The Meaning Of Tattoos Among College Students / 107). The process of tattooing has become extremely popular, especially among young people. And you can’t ignore it. How many your friends have one? According to survey “Both tattooed and non-tattooed college students agree that tattooing is mainstream and that a variety of people get tattoos (Manuel & Sheehan, 2007)” (To Ink Or Not To Ink: The Meaning Of Tattoos Among College Students /109)

So why do people get tattoos?

The main reason is that people just want to express themselves! Nobody wants to be the same. And everyone is trying his best. Statistic demonstrates us possible gender differences “women more often seek tattoos for personal decoration (Home et al., 2007) and to feel independent (Forbes, 2001), and men more often get tattoos as a symbol of group identity (Home et al., 2007). Among a group of adult respondents, tattooed individuals say that having their tattoo makes them feel more sexy (30%), rebellious (25%), attractive (21%), strong (21%), and spiritual (16%) (Braverman, 2012) ”(To Inc or not to Inc : The Meaning of Tattoos among Collage Students / 117). Most students say that they are becoming tattooed as a meaningful way to represent personal growth and individualism. Sometimes people get tattooed for their own pleasure, but not to impress others. Also the motivations for getting tattoo can be of two main categories - internal and external. Internal serve as reminders, memories or symbols. External can represent the diminishing influence of parents and the growing influence of feels.

But not everyone loves that trend. Why people do not get tattoos?

If everything is so positive and perfect, why do some people avoid getting tattooed? The first reason is the permanence of the tattoo and the fear that they will not want it when they get older. Another reason is health concerns and the prediction of disapproval by family and friends. Sometimes the points that stop people from doing it are pain, the risk of disease and cost.

The fact that the survey was conducted among students plays a great role because on average it is the age when teens grow older and it is the first time when they are actually stay alone. It is the age when start their own life, without parents help. And they want to express! It is the age when people don’t want to be like everyone. They have their own dreams, thought, plans and achievements. And tattoos help them a lot.