Why do so many people think tattoos are just a passing fad?

Question

tattoos have been around for approx 40 thousand years, yet people seem to think that in 10 years no one will want one anymore.

to indigo: yes in some cultures they were considered a part of social standing, however in some ther were of a purly religious matter. also they were used as a type of healing ritual also

Answer 1

i believe those people are unable to commit to anything and feel that having and wanting a tattoo is a fad. a fad to me is something that gains popularity quickly and then loses it just as quickly with a life of about two to three years. obviously tattoos and piercings are NOT fads. whatever... i'm tattooed and will be for life, whether people think it's a fad or not.

Answer 2

Tattoos have been around for ahile, it is true. However, in our western society we are, as a society, not currently using tattoos as a social statement. Most societies thru history used tattoos and body modifications as a method of visually identifying social standing and placement. In the united states, since 1776, our society has used tattoos, individually and as a whole, to mark those in special groups. Usually military based, and then to a degree criminals or the outcastes of our society. It is only within the last 20 years, starting slowly like any 'fad' that mainstream american society has been accepting of tattoos on middle american people. In the US, and most western cultures, tattoos are used now as personal expression, instead of social standing. (Though to a certain degree tattoos help create social standing, like most 'fads') Tattoos mark personal history, and what is important to the individual, less who we are within a social group.
So, the reason they are considered a 'fad' in our moment... because they are. At some point our culture and society will, as a whole, choose a different mass method of personal art and expression. Our society will relegate tattoos, again, to the outcastes. To those wishing to make a statement of social intent, not just personal expression.
Tattoos thru history have enjoyed social standing and been pushed to hidden expressions of self. If you truly look at tattoos thru history you will see they have been fads in the past. They undoubtedly will be again.

***edit***
timothy - I was giving the very abbreviated version. You are of course absolutely right, but we are also speaking from a time and place where tattoos are about personal expression, not social standing (which in cultures that used tats for religios reasons was still social standing). We of course use tats to express what we as individuals find important; religious beliefs, joys of life, memories we wish to visually represent... ourselves. Most societies and cultures through time have used tats for social standing. the individual did have a great deal of choice. The society determined the art. A current example of this is still practiced in Samoan culture and Eastern culture. The tattoo artist in many cases in those countries determines the tattoo of the individual, and they determine this based on mystical beliefs and/or societal construct.
It makes our western choices, which can appear faddish on some, appear weak in comparison.
personally I use my tattoos for personal expression with the full knowledge that anyone looking at me with my permanent art will make judgements based on that art. it is part of the human condition and the society I have chosen to live in. My tats are a choice of both personal expression and social conscious. I believe the 'fad' label could be put on those in our society who make choices of a tattoo based totally on what others say and do, not on thier own loves, life, and awareness of self. A tattoo is a change in the physical body. It is forever. The only body change I can think of that is equitable is a scar. Think of those who have visible scars, perhaps from a car accident, or from being in a fight, from being a warrior. Those scars tell a story. A tattoo is a choice to tell a story. There are those who do not chose the story for themselves, they choose the story for those who will see it. That, like clothing, jewelry, or a haircut, is a fad.

Answer 3

Yes, tattoos have been around for a long time and right now they are "faddish." And, there will be a lot of people who will get one or more tattoos and some people will cover their bodies with them. But, you know, or should know if you have any common sense, how fads work. Sooner or later it will be faddish to NOT have tattoos and all those who do will be considered the freaks that they are. And, when all the BPs (that's beautiful people) who now are getting tattoos age and get some wrinkles and age spots on tattoos which are already disgusting, they will look like some billboard that's been out in the weather too long and needs to be refinished. But, there is no refinishing for permanently stained skin.

Answer 4

B/c people have no idea what they are talking about. I'm also curious why people that have no tats b/c they think they are disgusting or socially unacceptable are on the this board - passing judgement perhaps? I love my tats and will continue to as I age, I got them as they are representative of ME, call me a freak if you like, but I am proud of who I am and my tattoos....I don't need to waste my time passing judgement on those who don't think like me!

Answer 5

i want one for my 16th birthday and i dont know HOW many people have told me that its just a fad and i wont want one when im 18, but the thing is I REALLY DO! i think they're sooo cool and so expressive haha not to sound corny (:

Answer 6

cuz they are IGNORANT!!!

tats were around in indian tribes years ago, they will always be in tribes around the world, they will always be CULTURE.

people just need to accept that instead of thinking they know everything. tats are religious, traditional culture... they're not gonna go away like the mullet...

Answer 7

People are ignorant. Period. I've been designing tattoos lately like you wouldn't BELIEVE. People will always want something to remind them of something for life. It's just the way it is.

Answer 8

i have no idea, if you love a tattoo now, and it's beautiful now, that's what matters, your tattoo will age with you. the crisp clean beauty will be faded and stretched, but it will remind you of beauty of the past and good times. I love my tattoos and will continue to love them as i age

Answer 9

I don't think they are a passing phase. If anything, they are becoming more popular again.