When you take the viewpoint that a tattoo is part of who a person is, it's much like clothes, although more permanent - it's the person that makes the tattoo, not the tattoo that makes the person. It does seem that some people have some kind of tatoophobia, which is an unfortunate prejudice. In the panorama of an individual a few relatively discreet tattoos are pretty trivial.
It appears that some people place an absurd stigma on tattoos, as I'm sure a large segment of society still does, even though tattoos are far more accepted in general.
Apparently, some folk see a tattoo as a form of scarring. So, would they have the same prejudice toward someone who has an actual scar or birthmark, or is it more of a psychological judgement placed on the individual due the association they've learned.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but it just seems a shame to focus on something which logically, in fact, is trivial despite the view of "society". Even for those who have tattoos and it's a genuine and personal extension of who they are, it's just a fragment of the complete person.
rgkv, obviously you have a well balanced perspective in the context of your daughter and no doubt your heart and intent is in the right place. I just hope your daughter, isn't judged for what is in essence a form of art [or cosmetic decoration] combined with her physical being. Funny how most people appreciate art and the human form, but for some when combined they perceive something distasteful.
In case you haven't guessed, I like tattoos, but even if I saw them as a form of marring [or in the case of a birth mark, acne scarring etc ], I wouldn't let it distract me from the individual. Obviously this is something that requires a conscious effort dependent on how extreme we're talking, but something, I feel is worth the effort to maintain a level of awareness.
see ya next summer : )
PS Rusty agrees
