I am doing research on who gets tatoos?

Question

I am doing research on tatoos. Why did you get one? How many women as opposed to men get tatoos? What is the age group? What are the prejudices against tatoos?

Answer 1

You're not going to be able to use this as a primary source. Probably as much or more so than an actual tattoo shop, this group self selects and strongly affects any statistical outcome. It can still be used, but if it's anything undergraduate level or higher make sure to mention these caveats & source correctly.

That said...

I got one for personal reasons too long to go into, and since it is personal I don't feel the need to say it here. Even though I tend to prefer the slightly edgier forms of self-expression, I've also taken longer to engage in it as I've let scholastic & career development trump pretty much everything else for the last decade plus.

I can't answer the second question as that is something you need to be able to answer from statistics gathering. My opinion is that it seems fairly evenly split, but that is *very* questionable data.

The third doesn't parse well. Are you asking me mine? I'm just into the 40-49 age group, where Rider reported something like 14% of those there are inked. There is a fairly steadily increasing curve as the age group is lowered, but how that relates to age of any given tattoo is unclear.

The prejudices is a huge question in & of itself that you're going to need to do real research elsewhere, as opposed to asking what others think, for real results. They will include sex, class & "race" distinctions, generational issues, issues of cultural globalization and popular trend mixing... to name a few.

If this isn't for personal curiosity (and even then), the skew from a limited sampling & selection pool will really throw a wrench into any results.

Best of luck regardless.

Answer 2

I am a 32 year old female. I love tatoos. I only have one small butterfly on my stomach. I think that tatoos are form of art and expression. I am definately not opposed to any men getting tatoos. I would probably have a lot more if I was not in a professional position and it would be viewed badly. Many people are prejudice against tatoos--1. feel they are distracting 2. are unattractive 3. sterotype them as being bad.

Answer 3

I'm 33 and got a tat when I was 26 because I had a nice chest then and what better way to show it off than with a tat of my nickname "babygirl"? I think more women are getting them now, then men, but I've never seen a female with a big tatoo like the guys get. I think a lot of people get them when they turn 18 or 21, whatever the age limit is in their states. It's like buying a drink at the bar on your 21st birthday-it's a right of passage! They can be addicting, too, like eating lays chips!!!

Answer 4

This is an interesting question... I will be very interested to know about your results and conclusions.

No one in my family or extended family has a tattoo. Conversely, almost everyone in my ex-wives family has at least one tattoo. She did not have a tattoo until after we were divorced. I considered getting a tattoo when I was in college nearly twenty years ago. I decided against it and I am glad that I did.

I see tattoos as counter culture. Something people do when they are younger maybe as a result of peer pressure. I think as some of those people that have tattoos get older, they regret their decision to get a tattoo or two and try to keep them covered up. I know it is not easy to get a tattoo. I have to admit that some of the tattoos that I have seen are very tasteful but I still would not get a tattoo. I also think that just because someone has a tattoo does not make them a bad person.

Answer 5

I am 34 (female) and have 5 tattoos, but they are all in discrete places. I work in an office so I am professional, 90% of the time my tattoos are covered. I have 1 on my ankle (the one that gets seen sometimes), lower/mid back (rather large), butt, boob, and foot.
I got my first one when I was 18 because I love the design, serpant/dragon. The rest of my tattos have to do with my faith and my astrological sign.
I do think there is alot of prejudice against tattoos especially on women. We are looked at as "trash", low brow, unintelligent, or unprofessional. Also alot of men will not date women with tattoos I am fortunate where I haven't had this issue because I normally date men with tattoos (not a must just sort of happens).

Answer 6

I got two tattoos. One when I was 14 I did that because I wanted to do something no one my age would dare to do. I got my other one at 17 because I really liked the design. I am 27 now and I am planning on getting another one soon. People assume people who get tattoos because they are "bad" or want to rebel or get attention. Whatever the case may be I could care less what people say I like my tattoos don't regret them. People also assume that low class people are the only ones that get tattoos.... not so anymore
FYI - I am a MBA student and work in the "business world"

Answer 7

I got my first tat at 20 and have been getting them since, though my body is not covered with them. I think it depends on the type of tattoo a person gets tells about who they are, where they are from and what kind of life they have had or have. You can usually tell where a person is from by what they have and where they have it. I dont agree with tat's on the neck or head. If you're a person that is business like then you dont want to get them where they can be obvious because you'll be judged as ghetto or hard. But that isnt always the case. I like them because of what I've had tatt'd represents me. They are feminine and tasteful. They represent my children and my faith. Some people in the christian walk may disagree with that but my body is a shell that will not go with me to heaven. I am 40 now and plan to get another one.

Answer 8

I got it to represent a triumph in my life, and some of my core beliefs.

Both men and women, young and old, have tattoos. I don't know the ratios, but it's prevelent in all demographics.

The most common prejudice I run into is that I "ruined my pretty body." People don't understand the motivation behind it. There is also the assumption that I'm "trouble" or "easy." But most commonly, that's I've "ruined" myself.

Still, I find that there aren't all that many prejudiced people. The Western world is warming up to tattoos, it seems.

Answer 9

why? - i have always admired the art of tattoos but only recently found out just how artful they can actually be. i love my tattoos and i did't get them because they are popular or cool or neat or pretty. i got them because they are art and they make me happy. i am an adult and can do what i want to do, i make my money and i will spend it the way i want to. some people drink their money away, some snort it and some p*ss it away on cars and boats and other useless stuff, i chose to buy ink.

i don't really know the statistics on men vs. women on tattoos but i would guess that they are about even. many times men get more prominent tattoos and the majority of tattooed girls have one or two small dainty feminine ones. (i am not one of those girls)

i got my first tattoo at 18 i am now 25 and am still getting them

there are many prejudices and misconseptions about people with tattoos including that they: are poor, uneducated, trashy, stupid, unclean, ugly etc. the fact is that i know doctors and lawyers and mensa certified geniuses who all have tattoos... stereotypes are just that
other stereotypes are that people who have tattoos enjoy pain and are into "that type of thing" the fact is that if we "enjoyed" pain we would slap ourselves in the face a few hundred times, that would be a lot cheaper than a tattoo. we get tattoos in spite of the pain, not because of it.

Answer 10

I'm 18. I have two tattoos. Both mean something to me. They represent a time in my life. When I got my first tattoo I had just recovered from an illness. I wanted something to remind me that I am strong... so I got a tattoo to remind me of that. I guess you could say it's a reminder. When I feel like giving up I look at that tattoo and I find the courage I need.
A lot of people think people get tattoos to be cool or badass or different. But that's not true. I don't know one single person who has a meaningless tattoo.