General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Do you think tattoos are attractive?? [View all]Hekate
(93,597 posts)Believe me, I was not consulted at that early age. My disapproval made no difference.
However, they are now well into their thirties and that point is moot. My son is on a long-term project with a real artist to have a "sleeve" done, and I have to say that dragon draping over his shoulder is a beauty. Everything he has can be covered by a business shirt with the sleeves half-rolled up.
My daughter her teenage tatt redone as a colorful fairy, and it's pretty on her ankle. She's had others done to mark passages in her life: when her baby daughter died of SIDS, she had the baby's handprints tattooed on her back up by her shoulder blades. Those are in black, like you get when you ink your hand and place it on paper.
It comes down to personal choice. I've known all my life that if I were ever to have one done it would be a small flower in a discreet location, but as I am now in my mid-60s it's not ever going to happen.
I think there are a certain proportion of youngsters who regret their tattoos for various reasons: inking your first love's name on your chest or arm is kind of dumb, but getting all identified with a gang can make it really hard/dangerous to drop out and be anonymous. Below a certain age, it really should be a no-no -- but then look at my own kids.