In the last two decades of the twentieth century, tattooing slowly gained popularity. The old association of tattoos and degenerates still existed, but more people wanted to get tattooed just to decorate their bodies instead of for showing a sign of rebellion. The start of custom tattoo shops also helped to bring more of a fineart feeling to tattooing. Instead of just getting a random design off the wall, many people wanted to have a design made only for them. Slowly we are coming to terms with tattooing being more of an art form than a crude craft.

The idea of getting a tattoo as a souvenir is also becoming more popular as the tourism industry expands. People have more money and even more credit available than they did decades ago, which allows for more travel and more souvenirs. Many people today see getting a little tattoo as the equivalent to buying a new pair of shoes. A tattoo is just another thing one can purchase for fun. With the advent of tattoo suppliers, more people have been able to break into tattooing as a profession. More shops have been opening, making it easier for people to get tattoos. Much of the old negative attitudes about tattooing are passing away with the older generations. Younger people are more used to tattoos, because they see them on their peers more often in public and especially on television, the Internet, and movies.

Professional athletes seem to be covered in tattoos nowadays. It used to be the stereotype that rock stars had tattoos. Now, sports associations such as the NBA are full of heavily tattooed players. Many boxers and Ultimate Fighters also sport tattoos in the ring. The more people of stature are seen with tattoos, the more open mainstream society becomes toward tattoos.

Rites of Passage

Tattooing has long been a way to mark a significant point in a person’s life. Many tribal cultures use tattooing as a ritual to express the transformation of a child into an adult at the time of puberty. The reaction of the individual during the tattooing process will reveal his or her position in the tribe. If the adolescent quits or complains during the tattooing, it can lead to a low social position, especially if he is a chief’s son.

Tattooing in the Western world is a little different now. A tattoo won’t necessarily determine your place in the village, but it will show that you have become a legal adult. It may be a small celebration, but the significance of coming of age is great. As we shall see later in this chapter, joining a gang or some form of club may require a tattoo to show the individual’s commitment.

It is a permanent display of that group’s ideology. It can mean a show of support and loyalty to the group, which will be seen by all the people in that person’s everyday life.

Tattoos in the workplace

Suits are great for covering tattoos. You may be surprised as to how many people are covering large tattoos under their longsleeve shirts. Many people make sure their tattoos can be covered with a short-sleeve shirt to keep the boss from seeing it. Despite the wide acceptance of tattoos, it is still possible that a visible tattoo can keep one from getting a job. Employers sometimes still think a tattoo is a sign of rebelling, so think about the placement of your tattoo before you get it.