My 13 year old son wants a tatoo that honors a friend of his that commited sucide last month. Is he too young?

Answer 1

Tell him to wait til he's at least 16, and get something that's symbolic, that he won't regret.

Answer 2

There is a law in place that a person has to be 18 to get a tatoo.. You should really abide by the law and be a good example to your son. I understand he is hurting, I would tell him you fully support him doing it in 5 years. If he does it before then he will most likely not go the the most reliable place and could risk and infection.. maybe even hepC or AIDS. Think about any tatoo you would have gotten at 13 (probably a boys name) and imagine having it now... probably not a good idea. You should think of some other things to help your son celebrate his friends life.

Answer 3

Yes he is too young. Tell him to wait until he is older and then he can make that decision himself, and pay for it to boot. In the meantime, be respectful and caring about his loss and let him know that what he wants to do is very honorable to his friend but that maybe it would be best that he holds off on the tattoo and expresses his loss a different way.

Answer 4

Yes... Have him wait until he is 18... If he still feels strongly about it at that point he can do it... My son had two friends commit suicide and for one he made a small shrine of sorts in his room (I could not stand it)... It was so sad... It was a constant reminder that he saw everyday when he was in his room... A person does not need to be tattooed to be remembered... Memories stay in your mind forever... you never forget... My son finally took the shrine down after about 5 months... He was finally ready to move on... Imagine if that was a tattoo??? Bottom line... 13 is WAY too young... There are other ways to remember or memorialize his Friend... Sorry for your sons loss... He will feel better with time (as we know)....

Answer 5

I feel that he is too young. I got a tattoo when I was 16 and now 13 years later, I've just had it covered with something else. If he is adamant about getting one, and you feel yourself giving in, perhaps allow him to get the friends initials tattooed somewhere small and out of sight.

Answer 6

I understand that your son wants to honor his friend but he is too young. He can still get the tatoo if you give him permission. But you might want to think about this because he might want to get rid of it.

Answer 7

I'm very sorry about the death.

I would say maybe. Losing a life of a friend is hard enough. But also he is only 13. Then again it's for a good cause.

Answer 8

Perhaps you could talk him into another kind of memorial that would always be visible. If you can afford it, plant a tree in the park (get permission first!) or at the boys church or even at his home. That way, your son can see visible evidence and give to nature, too. You can even purchase a small plaque that says "In Memory of "

Answer 9

I would tell him to wait a few years. My parent did that to me, and I am glad. Although, I am considering getting a tattoo now (I'm 19), I think I could make a better decision than I could at 13.

Answer 10

Yes, 13 is too young to make a decision to mark your body for the rest of your life. I'd wait until 18. We remember friends in our hearts, not on our body.

Answer 11

Yes I think it depends on what state but you cant get one till 16 and even then you have to have parent signiture. His heart is in the right place but make him wait. I would give him other options like hena and just keep it refreshed every so often. To show him what its like to have something in the same place and not be able to just get rid of it that may change his mind if not tell him he can when he is old enough to not need permission.