'Poke And Stick' Parties Pose Serious Risks To Teens

www.countypressonline.com ^

[Tribune7]

The advent of "poke and stick" parties is causing a stir as more of our nation's youth are choosing to have their new tattoo or piercing done by a teenage friend, rather than a professional.

Since these parties could be happening in your community, the Pennsylvania Medical Society cautions that this fad not only may violate a new state law, but it also could spread infectious diseases, like HIV and hepatitis. The organization's member doctors recommend that parents and teens carefully consider safety measures to protect themselves from serious health consequences.

The ancient arts of tattooing and body piercing appear to be rising in popularity, particularly among the young.

[Tribune7]

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[Tribune7]

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[Knute]

Won't they be safe if they only use a condom? (G!)

What part of Biology 101 don't these kids understand? The risk of life threatening disease doesn't enter their minds? All for another hole through their eyelid?

[Mr. Jeeves]

I'm thinking that headline can be interpreted in numerous ways...and is probably true for all of them. ;)

[Just another Joe]

The risk of life threatening disease doesn't enter their minds?

No, it doesn't.
Did you REALLY think about life threatening diseases when you were 13 or 14?
If you did you were exceptional. I know I didn't.

Of course, I never wanted a tat or a piercing either.

[Tax-chick]

Geez ... multiple Darwin Awards. My cousin pierced my ears when I was 16, but she's a nurse!

[beaureguard]

Hmmm... that headline can be interpreted with many various meanings!

[Pete'sWife]

Gone are the days of stuffing phone booths and Volkswagens.

****sigh****

[Knute]

Perhaps I was "germ phobic"
At the age of 52 I have no piercings or tats.
I cannot say that I used the same common sense regarding some other youthful activities. I matured in the 60's before those things got to be so dangerous

[NRA1995]

"Of course, I never wanted a tat or a piercing either"

All it took for me was being in the Navy and seeing what people went through with NEW tattoos and seeing certain officers need to get tattoos REMOVED for career reasons....

[Just another Joe]

48 here and only an ear piercing, no tats.
I always did want to be able to wear an earring. :^)

[R. Scott]

Did you REALLY think about life threatening diseases when you were 13 or 14?

No one I ran with. We knew we were invulnerable.

[rightinthemiddle]

Are tattoos popular with young folks these day? I had no idea...silly whippersnappers.




BEWARE, my young friends: Tatoos are so IN, they're OUT.

AND: Give the American Cancer Society a few bucks a ditch the damn bracelets. Everybody is too cool now.

[rejoicing]

Oh, yeah! We need parents' presence and permission for tattooing and piercing, but it's perfectly OK for the same teen to obtain an abortion on her own. God help us!

[-YYZ-]

Yep, my father was in the Navy and got tattoos in foreign ports as a young man, and he always regretted them later. I've never been able to think of anything that I'd want to have permanently on my skin. And I still think tats on women look really skanky.

[rightinthemiddle]

Are tattoos popular with young folks these day? I had no idea...silly whippersnappers.




BEWARE, my young friends: Tattoo's are so IN, they're OUT.

AND: Give the American Cancer Society a few bucks a ditch the damn bracelets. Everybody is too cool now.

[rejoicing]

I've been looking for the word.........and SKANKY is it. Thanks!

[NRA1995]

I actually told a woman who had a tattooed breast to get dressed and go home

[Just another Joe]

I've never been able to think of anything that I'd want to have permanently on my skin.

That was my thinking also. At least with, most, piercings, they will close up by themselves.

[Just another Joe]

I actually told a woman who had a tattooed breast to get dressed and go home

Well, now you're just being silly.

I have seen tats on both men and women that I thought were tastefully done.

I definitely would never have kicked a women out of bed JUST for having a tat.

[NRA1995]

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one

[Ron in Acreage]

Are these in place of, or in addition to, the oral sex parties?

[Slicksadick]

Looks like someones been practicing on their pigs. Born to loose?

[-YYZ-]

Well, I know some nice women that have tats, and I wouldn't hold it against them. At the same time, I do find them to be a turn-off. My first impression when I see a woman I don't know with tats is "hooker", or "stripper", because those were the kind of women I first saw tats on. (Yes, I have been in strip joints on occasion. No, I don't use prostitutes, but I used to work in an area where they were common.) I know that's not the case anymore, but it's still my immediate reaction.

[Corin Stormhands]

Fortunately, this is one worry I don't have with my 15-year-old. He has such a dread of needles that he wouldn't consider piercing or tattoos.

[Just another Joe]

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one

We can do that. Tastefully, even. ;^)

[atomicpossum]

Never had a tattoo. Never wanted one. Fortunately, I have a brother-in-law who does who regrets it and can help build-up the horror stories to my kids.

The coarsening of the culture brought into our homes through pop culture, MTV and media is lowering that bar all the time, isn't it? A tatoo? That never would have occurred to me at that age. Now, though, I guess kids see them everywhere, on pop stars, sports stars...

[pepperdog]

Yes, they look bad enough on young women, but they look really horrible on old women with all that sagging skin-ugh! And all these young women with the "sexy" tattoos will, if they are fortunate, be old someday. They will be sooo sorry and embarrassed.

[beezdotcom]

You're supposed to warn us before posting pictures of Rosie.

[calex59]

Yeah, you never think of dying when you are 13 or 14. You think that other people die but that somehow you will liver forever. Not in so many words but that is the underlying reasoning of a lot of teens.

[gridlock]

Tatooed pigs? Somebody has waaaaay too much time on his hands...

[gridlock]

Back when I was a kid, we used to do the girls' ears with a needle, a candle, an ice cube and a potato. We were not so stupid that we would have used the same needle on two different people, not even in 1975.

[Dante3]

Allegedly toungue splitting also continues to grow. Don't ask me why.

[Ciexyz]

I didn't read the article. Afraid to find out where they poke the stick....

[Tribune7]

Never had a tattoo. Never wanted one.

I might have been able to have been talked into one at age 18. Very glad the opportunity never presented itself.