When your child wants a tattoo, what do you do?

Friday December 12, 2008

Here's my suggestion ... first take a look at this woman from Brazil and count your lucky stars!

Seriously ... what have your conversations been? Is this what Marko might look like in a few years?

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Filed Under: tattoo

posted by Scot McKnight @12:20am Permalink email icon

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cas

December 13, 2008 1:08 PM

Upon further reflection of #45's point, I must say that I'm inclined to think their is a correlation between the increase in irreversible body decisions (like cosmetic surgery and tattooing) and the decrease in faithfulness to moral commitments (marriages, contracts, oaths of office). What I am not saying is that individuals who are tattooed or surgically enhanced are more likely to be unfaithful to their vows. I simply think there is something to the fact that as a society one form of commitment has increased expoentially while the other has decreased. I suspect also that fear of death may animate both trends to some degree. Now/this body/this life is of utmost importance.

H.S.

December 14, 2008 4:13 PM

'Your name' at post #21 asks about our household policy of the Five Year Rule for our teenage children: "How could small tasteful tatoo in a descrete location ( perhaps on an ankle, in the small of the back) significantly "affect them" in five years?"

1) They could get hepatitis from that little tattoo.

2) They could decide they didn't like it later and have to pay hundreds of dollars to remove it.

GREG

December 15, 2008 8:40 AM

A TATTOO IS LIKE HAVING AN 100 BILL, KNOWING THAT WHAT NOBODY CAN SEE, BUT THEY HAVE A TATTOO JUST FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING ONE, THEY ARE BOTH NICE TO HAVE!!

December 15, 2008 5:37 PM

Whatever you do, don't use the old "Your body is a temple" line... I say this because what is a temple with out it's many colored banners and decorations and it was one of the lines used on me; this was my response after some careful thought at 18.

I have three tattoos. My mom was really upset at the notion, however my dad had a Marine tattoo inscribed on his forearm, therefore I used that during every discussion as to why I should be able to have one. My father, very wise, told me that it was a poor decision - as far as placement went. He is a teacher and must wear long sleeved shirts all through the year to keep it covered. With that in mind I, unlike many mislead kids, put a lot of thought into my body art. Another deterrent was the thought of what being an 80 year old woman with tattoos would be like and so because I had already made up my mind that I would have one, I took that into account.

I ended up with a ring of daisies around one bicep, a sun with a face on the other and the common Indian symbol of friendship - two crossed arrows - on the inside of my left ankle. My choices are extensions of myself: The sun which lights my days and seems to smile upon me at times, the daisy - commonplace, inexpensive, yet beautiful nonetheless and of course, the arrows which signify someone very close to me.

All of these things I could also see myself happy with when I'm an old woman; it's important to add that I had considered a ring of skulls at one point. Because I'm a woman, I went feminine and that seemed to help. Though suns were very trendy not long after, I didn't mind because I knew mine wasn't just because of the trend. I will be honest and say that on occasion I do wish I hadn't put them in such revealing places, but that's only because a couple times a year I'd like to get totally dressed up and not have to wear a sweater or jacket.

A tattoo should be well thought out and never a whim. It shouldn't be because it looks cool or is a fad. Some people just love art and want to cover their body in it, but that stuff belongs on walls, IMHO. It should compliment who you are and the choice you are making to add something so very permanent to your body.

Heather C.

February 13, 2009 4:25 PM

I am 18 and have my own tattoo. It is completely covered unless I am in the shower and is a memorial to my grandfather. I put a lot of time and thought into my tattoo and settled on getting the same tattoo that my grandfather had. It is a small black widow on my right hip (the same side that my grandfather's was on). I see no problem with getting a well thought and meaningful tattoo in a tasteful location. For me, it is a way to be close to the grandfather that I never got to know and with whom I share many personality and physical traits. I plan to get a second tattoo (a dogwood flower on the other hip) soon to signify my faith (look up the legend behind the dogwood tree). Like my first tattoo, I will wear my bathing suit bottoms under my clothes to make sure that the tattoo is always covered. Also like my first tattoo, this one will have meaning and the people that will be with me while I get it will be special to me. Might I mention, I am a very successful student with plans to become a vet. Getting a tattoo does not make me rash and rebellious (any of my tattoos WILL have special meaning and much thought and prayer behind them). Nor does it make me less of a Christian. I believe that IF your child wishes to get a tattoo, give them your honest opinion of the idea. My dad doesn't like them; my mom thinks that when done in good taste and put in appropriate places they are acceptable (just not for her). Then ask your child what he/she wants and why. If your child is under 18 tell him or her to wait until a few months after that 18th birthday and then if the idea still appeals to them, they can legal go through with it. In very few instances will forbidding work. If you are responsive (in a positive or at least neutral way) then your child will be far more likely to value your opinion and act in a way that closely relates to your wishes.

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Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois). A popular and witty speaker, Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly asked to speak in local churches and educational events. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986). Click to continue reading Scot McKnight's Bio...

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