How do I convince my dad to let me have a tatoo?

Question

K well I am about to be 18 and so I want to do something really crazy. I have wanted a tatoo for a really long time. I know once I turn 18 I dont really need my dad's permission but I dont want to go behind his back. I still live at home. I mean its not like I just decided one day I want a tatoo. I reaserched it online and checked out all the risks and everything. I just want my dad to say its okay before I go do it. He says not until I am 21 but I really don't want to wait that long. Do you think there is anything I could say to convince him? Please dont say dont get a tatoo. I dont want to hear that. I would just like some advice. Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't expect you to take my advice, because when you're young and you want something now, you're going to do it anyways.

If your dad says you have to wait until your 21... wait.
At least he's even approving at all.

Tattoos last forever. f o r e v e r.
Waiting 3 more years to get something you're going to have forever really isn't that much time when you consider it's going to be on you the rest of your life.

Plus, I'd be willing to bet, that if you wait until you're 21, you're going to have changed your mind on what you want by then.

I've wanted tattoos since I was young, and when I was 18 I had all kinds of ideas picked out that I had wanted to get for the past 4 years (all highschool), but I waited.
I ended up getting my first when I was 22-23 ... and I'm sooooo glad I waited as much as I did.
A few of the things I had picked out when I was 18 would have been so stupid to have gotten.

So that's all I will say.

If you want it, do it, because that's what getting a tattoo is about.

Best of luck

Answer 2

Keep in mind a few things. A tatoo lasts forever (unless you have the big bucks to have it removed - not to mention the pain). What may look cute on you now won't look as cute when you are 60+. Right now it is the fad and will soon be over but a tatoo is permanent. In addition, when you are applying for a "good" job a tatoo is not professional.

Answer 3

Sweetie, parents tend to be very fickle about things like tatoos - especially on their baby girls. Parents devote their lives to trying to be there everytime their little ones fall and get a booboo and we panick about things like scars, broken bones, etc. It is doubtful that your father is ever going to enthusiastically endorse what your wanting to do and although I won't say don't do it, I would just say its a decision that warrants a great deal of thought. I have three daughters. My oldest has two tatoos - one is two interlocking celtic hearts on her back just above her pant line. The other is a four-leaf clover on her ankle. They never bothered her until she gave birth to her first child. After checking him out from head to toe, she looked up at me and said, Now I understand. My second daughter hates what her sister did but does get a kick out of wearing the stickon tatoos. She says she likes them better because she's not stuck with the same thing forever. My youngest daughter doesn't even want to have her ears pierced. Of course that will most likely change in time. Just remember - you are very young. Ask yourself just how happy your going to be looking at that thing 50 or 60 years down the road. P.S. I do like the idea of the temporary tatoo to break the ice.

Answer 4

We have 7 children, they all want tats and piercing. Our rule is once you are 18 or have moved out of the house. Which ever one comes last.
It's hard to say NO when I have them. But, I would rather they wait until they are more mature to decide what they want. Sometimes you can lose a job, or eventually you will want to wear something that will not cover it up when it needs to be covered.

Answer 5

As a parent I would hate for you to rush out and get one just because you can. I have quite a few tattoos and I don't have anything really against them, but here is the deal. #1 it's forever. #2 you may hate it someday. #3 it can be limiting. And that is my biggest concern. Yes I have them but they can all be covered if the need calles for it. Show your father your design (and not some stupid butterfly or cheesy heart) and where you want it placed (big suggestion here is for it to be someplace not readily seen and not the small of your back). And just for the record, I didn't get my first untill I was 22. It didn't kill me to wait.

Answer 6

I love tats honey what ya gonna get??? I have 8 of them. Never wanted one till I had a baby ( I thought they'd hurt to bad). My advice would be to sit your dad down and talk to him, once your 18. Tell him that you respect him and want his approval on the things you decide to do in your life. Tell him you have researched it and better yet do a little research on the place you are going to go. A lot of these guys are world famous depending on where your from. I'm in Northen MN and I have one of the elites up here he is awesome. Have what you want picked out, make it small and tasteful in a nice location not one that woud freak Dad out you are his baby girl that is what the problem is not tatts so much as his baby marking her body. Make you both happy. Tell him what it means to you and his approval means alot to but your getting one.......................Let us know how it goes

Answer 7

You did great by researching it. But fathers are always the hardest to convince :-(

How about showing him that you did the research, you understand the risks, and make him comprehend the fact that you're not doing this as a rebellious act.

This might also depend on what you're getting.

Answer 8

Get a temporary tatoo made in the shape you want. Try it out in front of your papa and see how he reacts.

Answer 9

Well you are an adult now so i say go ahead. just get it somewhere where you can cover it up if you are going to be around your dad.