Do any female Freepers have tattoos??...a serious question across the cultural divide..

self

[ken5050]

My 27 year old daughter was home for Thanksgiving. Over the pumpkin pie, she mentioned that she was seriously considering getting a small tattoo. She didn't mention "of what" or "where" said image would be. My wife hasn't uttered a word since then, she's just cried a lot. Myself, I'm confused, so I thought I'd look to my fellow Freepers for insight and/or understanding, for truth be told, I just don't get it.

[ken5050]

I'm not trying to sound biased, or "class-conscious", but I thought I knew her reasonably well, and this just seems so out of keeping. She's an honors college graduate, working full time in the financial filed, and just starting her MBA. She's always been low-keyed in her behavior and dresses very conservatively, and has a healthy outlook towards food and everything else...never smoked.....occasional wine drinker...and has always been the "apple of my eye"...she's in her first serious relationship..just over a year now..and I would have expected her to take up bungee juping before getting a tattoo.

I'm early 50's, and growing up, tattoos were considered low-class and gang related.....of course, this was before they were adopted as " de rigeure" by the NBA.

Oh yeah...her boyfriend, who works on Wall Street, thinks its fine, if it's what she wants to do......I used to think highly of him, but now......

So, my friends, I've bumped my head quite hard against the cultural, or is it "generational divide" and I don't get it. I, like many of you, have seen most of our current female "cultural icons" get various parts of their bodies tattoed, but it didn't seem the thing that "nice girls" did.

Well, just writing this is a little cathartic, but my head still hurts.... a lot....so, if you, or your daughters, have, did, wanted to....well, any light you can cast on this issue would be greatly appreciated...

BTW, I've been told that laser surgery to remove "tats" is very effective...so there's one small consideration. I told this to my wife last night, but it didn't help...it only made her cry more.

We really both don't get it...are we alone in thinking this way?

[OWK]

My wife hasn't uttered a word since then, she's just cried a lot.

And your daughter is 27?

(trying to get a raised eyebrow droll look to come across on the internet)

[Fred Mertz]

I'm early 50's, and growing up, tattoos were considered low-class and gang related...

Don't tell that to JimRob. You forgot the (some) military folks and their affinity for tattoos.

[leadpencil1]

A tattoo is a permanant reminder of temporary insanity....

[Thinkin' Gal]

Leviticus 19:28-29 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

[NYC GOP Chick]

I, like many of you, have seen most of our current female "cultural icons" get various parts of their bodies tattoed, but it didn't seem the thing that "nice girls" did.

I agree with you on that. And from other people, I know that it's *incredibly* painful and itches for days after it's done.

Essentially, it's paying someone to stick needles full of ink into your body.

[katze]

We really both don't get it...are we alone in thinking this way?

1 posted on 11/26/01 8:54 AM Pacific by ken5050

No, not at all. But then, back when I was your daughter's age, it was unthinkable for women to have tatoos; times have changed (tho' some of us haven't). ;-)

[ben richards]

It seems like almost every young lady these days is getting a tattoo. I think the day will come in the not too distant future when a tattoo-less lady will be unusual, but highly desired.

[OWK]

Leviticus 19:28-29 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

Is it safe to assume that you insist that your husband wear a full-length beard?

And that he sends you away for the week that you are "unclean"?

And that you don't eat pork and shellfish?

These things too, are in the Mosaic law.

(but most people just pick and choose the self-righteous articles that suit them)

[xm177e2]

Bump

[stuartcr]

I think your line "I'm early 50's, and growing up, tattoos were considered low-class and gang related....." tells it all. She's 27, you're not.

[Shooter 2.5]

Take her to a jewelry store and buy her a nice pin that she can wear on her blouse. Tell her that she has to wear the pin for the rest of her life.

As my son said, there's better things to spend your money on.

[Servant of the Nine]

Ping

[mlocher]

isn't the first amendment wonderful?

seriously, a lot of younger women are having tasteful tatoos done. they are more and more becoming more mainstream. in fact, there is the commercial with the guy who is getting one that says "i love danielle" but only has enough money for "i love dan". i would not be too concerned unless she wants one that says "i love danielle".

[austinTparty]

ping. Frankly, Ken, your daughter is 27... as long as she's not tattooing swastikas across her forehead, I just don't see it as a big deal.

Personally, I prefer the more temporary version of mehendi (henna tattoos)... but that's just because I would get sick of always having the same one. It is not a sign of imminent Satan-worship, Clinton-loving or any other nefarious activity. It is also not immoral or illegal, and you sound like you have a great daughter: don't make a mountain out of a molehill and cause a rift in your relationship (just MHO).

[Nyralthotep]

Ahhh, you beat me to it......, you are correct in that many people just pick and choose out of context the bible verses the choose to use to justify a certain belief.

[eastforker]

Hey ken,why didn't you ask her what kind and where,sounds like she was asking what you thought about it.That would have been the perfect time to tell her how you see tattoos on women,how you personaly think it is disgusting,sometimes grown kids(I have three) still ask parents for advice,and some don't.The fact she asked shows she was reaching out.Asking for someone to tell her no.

[Bikers4Bush]

I have two and am considering another. My girlfriend (28) is considering getting one but can't decide what or where. If you think it cultural you need to wake up and smell the java. It's generational.

I know lot's of nice, smart, well to do girls that have them.

Chances are your daughter will get a small one in a discreet place so that it could only be seen if she want it to be seen.

Tell your wife to stop crying. There are better things in life for her to torment herself over. My parents didn't even bat an eye when I got my first. They said they knew all along that I'd probably get one someday, and this was before they became a fashion statement.

[Skywalk]

I don't think it's the end of the world. I've dated women that were fell along the spectrum of morality, and the tattoo was not a determining factor in their character.

I admit that women of inferior moral character are more likely to have tattoos, but that's because they generally go with whatever thing everyone else is doing(drugs, promiscuity, getting way too drunk) However, if a girl has a tattoo it doesn't mean she is low class.

Some women are surprised that I don't have a tat or any piercings. It definitely is a generational thing, I guess I'm a throwback. I prefer the clean slate look for myself, but to each his own.

If the tattoo isn't conspicuous, it really doesn't matter, less'n she turns into one of those ink freaks. :)

[Dog Gone]

Well, nobody thinks much about getting ears pierced, but it's just another form of body mutilation for decorative purposes.

I don't like tattoos on women but I pretty much figure that it's a matter of personal choice. I certainly wouldn't cry about it.