Wow! I just read an answer that implies that tattooing and piercing requires mental health?

Question

Do some of you really think that people with tattoos or piercings need mental help? What is your reasoning behind that?

Answer 1

its an old old practice ..and in every culture ... its NOT weird at all.

Answer 2

Haven't you ever responded to some idea by saying, 'You've got to be crazy to do that'? Don't flip out because someone can't understand why you would pierce or tattoo. I do agree with those who think it makes no sense to do these things, but in the long run, it's each person's business.
Someone puts a small ring intheir eyebrow, Depending on taste, some people might think it's cute. Then the person puts a second and a third - seems to me that spoils any possible effect, and the only advantage is shock value if that,s what you want to do.
Our culture now generally sees pierced ear rings as cute. That's fine. But when you put several in your ear, then it's no longer cute, but ugly. Of course I'm talking here about my aesthetic taste, for what it's worth, not mental health. But when my kids talk about tattoos (they are all adult) or about adding to whatever piercings they already have, my reaction is 'Are you crazy!? I'm not really questioning their mental health - I just think it's crazy! :) :) I do believe that when it is excessive, Cassandra may have a point. The question, of course, is what is excessive.

Answer 3

the Mosaic Law forbade God’s people to tattoo themselves. Said Leviticus 19:28: “You must not make cuts in your flesh for a deceased soul, and you must not put tattoo marking upon yourselves. I am Jehovah.” Pagan worshipers, such as the Egyptians, tattooed the names or symbols of their deities on their breast or arms. By complying with Jehovah’s ban on tattoo markings, the Israelites would stand out as different from other nations.—Deuteronomy 14:1, 2.

While Christians today are not under the Law of Moses, the prohibition it laid on tattooing is sobering. (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14, 15) If you are a Christian, you would certainly not want to make markings on your body—even temporarily—that smack of paganism or false worship.—2 Corinthians 6:15-18.

There are also health concerns you should consider. Dr. Robert Tomsick, an associate professor of dermatology, comments: “What you’re doing is breaking the skin and introducing pigmented material into the area. Even though the needle only goes in a little way, anytime you break the skin, you have a risk of bacterial or viral infection. I think [getting a tattoo] is generally a risky thing to do.” Dr. Tomsick continues: “Once pigment is in, even if there’s no infection, there’s always the chance of contact allergies, dermatitis and allergic reactions that can cause skin to get red, swollen, crusty and itchy.”

Answer 4

Ugh! Aren't I allowed to have piercings just because I think they look pretty? There's no hating myself, self esteem issues, massochism, or any other motives. I just think they're pretty. What the he1l is wrong with that?
I have 2 reasons for not having tattoos:
1. OUCH
2. I'm too fickle, I'd want to change them to something else.
But for everyone else....have at it, if that's what you wanna do. I don't read any mental illness into it. =)

Answer 5

all so sad....reading some of the sad answers that people give to these good questions! c'mon!

People like to judge others, right! (just like I did in the sentence above.) So, they see something that disagrees with their sensablities and the bells and whistles go off. And they feel the need to disagree (sometimes STRONGLY) that what YOU are doing is not suitable with what they believe you should be doing.

Why do you care??? It's quite possible that those running around telling others what they should and shouldn't do are the ones truly in need of "mental help". You're fine. probably. : )

Answer 6

Maybe they only need help with their self esteem. They use them to "express" themselves because they can't do it with their personalities.
If they need to put permanent markings on themselves to tell other people who they are or tell people they're edgy or whatever, maybe they're shy and need help learning to communicate in other ways.
I've seen in young people now, the current trend is to be the person who doesn't mar themselves in any way. No piercings, no tatoos.
I think tatoos are like bumper stickers for the body. They are "permanent". You may change who you are and you can't get that bumper sticker off.
Maybe wear clothing that is "art" or something less permanent. But it may be mental if you need it to feel good about yourself or if you are doing it just so people will notice you.

Answer 7

Well, slap my b u t t and call me stupid...I guess that's what's wrong with me...I need to seeke mental help for my tattoos and piercings. I guess I'm more f'd up than I realized......thanks for adding to my long list of reasons why I'm not having a good day...lol.

Answer 8

my personal prejudice is that people who pierce themselves are full of rage and are expressing it by mutiliating themselves.
I never see kids from a happy home with two parents and plans for the future pierce themselves. It's always the kids with sexual abuse, multiple-step-parents, drug-addicted moms who do it, so that contributes to my stereotype.

someone who gets one tatoo is possibly just impulsive and silly. someone who tattoos large portions of their body is self-hating or masochistic. there can be no other reason to inflict that much pain on yourself nor can there be any other reason to permanently disfigure your skin.

i don't know that there is any 'mental help' health for them because i'm sure most don't perceive the behavior as a problem.

Answer 9

I have both and know for certain I do not have any mental health issues. I choose to do these things to my body to express myself and I think they accentuate my body. What about all the people who modify their body for the sake of beauty such as breast/butt augmentation, nose jobs etc. If someone who pierces their ears are sick in the head what about someone who has a needle shoved from their belly button up to their breast (boob Job) People should be allowed to do as they please to their bodies without criticism from others.

Answer 10

I probably wouldn't go so far as to say that it requires the attention of a mental health professional, but I can say this: there's not enough money in this world to make me ruin myself like that.
Why would you want to? It looks, and is, stupid.

Edit: Derwood H. Stevens up there got it EXACTLY right!

Answer 11

I wouldn't go that far but...

Why on earth would you want to shove metal through perfectly good skin (including the earlobes)???? It is a very primitive practice.

A similar argument could be made for marring the skin with ink.

I am not a big fan of either but I don't think they are signs of mental illness....mostly they are signs of conformity in the name of nonconformity.