Tattoos

[diannescruffy]

Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against tatoos but when it comes to teenagers it just irritates me. DS has a friend who is 15 and for Christmas his mum allowed him to get a tatoo. She also told him that she will pay for him to get both arms covered because it will make him look cool. I really don't get that .

Regards,
Dianne

[Catastrophic]

Each to their own... But I have to agree that at 15 it's the wrong time to be making such a decision!

[Traveller]

Most reputable tattooist will be very wary of tattooing a person under 18, even with parental permission, so I would be particularly wary of a tattoo at this young age as the quality of the work would potentially be poor. DH was 16 when he got his first (back in the day it was easier ) and as a result I have told my kids if they wait until they are 18 I will pay for their first. I personally waited until a few days after I was 18, but it was the same design I had wanted since I was 13 and I still love it now so I guess tastes don't always change but in children the chances that they will and the tattoo will be regretted is bound to be higher.

[Butterfly Dawn]

I got my 1st at 15 and 20 years later I still like it. But it was diff then. The guy was prof and we went in a few times before getting it done
Not sure I agree with telling somebody at such an impressionable age that 2 sleaves will make them look cool. The emphasise is wrong for me.
But its something that my 6 year old has decided already - tatts are cool.
If he wants to get 1 at 15, a nice 1, he can earn the money to get it and i'll help him find a good artist.

[TeniBear]

Not only is that stupid, it's illegal What is the mother thinking?! The trouble heavily tattooed adults (or those with very visible tattoos) have getting and holding jobs is enough, imagine the trouble a tattooed teenager would have...

I knew I wanted at least one tattoo when I was 12, but didn't get my first until I was 22. If I'd gone with every idea that went through my head in that time, I would have so many baaaaaad tattoos by now

[Teeki]

Not only is that stupid, it's illegal What is the mother thinking?! The trouble heavily tattooed adults (or those with very visible tattoos) have getting and holding jobs is enough, imagine the trouble a tattooed teenager would have...

I knew I wanted at least one tattoo when I was 12, but didn't get my first until I was 22. If I'd gone with every idea that went through my head in that time, I would have so many baaaaaad tattoos by now

Yep, take the apprentice at DHs work. He's legally old enough to get a tattoo, but the way he goes about it is ridiculous. A friend of his has a tattoo gun, and so every time this group of mates gets drunk they each get a new stupid tattoo. There's a reason there are age and time limits.

Butterfly Dawn, I also agree that it's not right to tell your 15 year old that they need full arm tatts to look cool.

[Beautiful Disaster]

I agree that 15 is too young and very illegal and find it very small minded to say people with very visible tats find it hard to get jobs. what a crock. I work in a very corporate environment and have many visible tats and it has NEVER stoped me getting a job not to mention its discrimination

[Floweryfields]

I agree that 15 is too young and very illegal and find it very small minded to say people with very visible tats find it hard to get jobs. what a crock. I work in a very corporate environment and have many visible tats and it has NEVER stoped me getting a job not to mention its discrimination

Ok, it's off topic, but since it's been raised, I don't believe it is discrimination to have a dress code and therefore an 'appearance' code for any job. Employers should be allowed to set expectations for their staff's appearance - if they prefer their staff not to have visible tattoos, then that is their right imo.


To answer your question Dianne, I think 15 is far too young for tattoos and sounds a little to me like mum is living through her son.

[diannescruffy]

When DS17 was doing work experience one of the rules were that tattoos needed to be covered.

Regards,
Dianne

[Olive]

Whilst I agree that 15 is too young, I honestly don't see how it's anyone else's business

[diannescruffy]

It isn't anyone's business and I would never ever say anything, just venting.

Regards,
Dianne

[Teeki]

Just to clarify, the reason I think the apprentices tattoos are stupid is because they're just not thought through and they're regretted after. E.g. he has his friends name scribbled on one inner thigh, and something very sexually explicit on the other. His girlfriend was ropeable when she saw that one so he's trying to get it changed.

I just think a tattoo needs a bit of thought and sometimes a bit of time to get it right and make sure it's what you want.

[~*familyof3*~]

I too think thats way too young. I to have seen that some employers like there employees to not have tattoos that are visable while at work.

[Sunny Love]

I got my first, and only, at 15 for my bday and with parental consent. A great big tramp stamp that I designed, and to this day still LOVE! No regrets, from me or my parents, to this day.
Each to their own definatly, its good to know that you're sure of your own choices though

[TeniBear]

I agree that 15 is too young and very illegal and find it very small minded to say people with very visible tats find it hard to get jobs. what a crock. I work in a very corporate environment and have many visible tats and it has NEVER stoped me getting a job not to mention its discrimination

I'm just going by the stereotype of small-minded employers, not saying I agree with it. Hell, I HAVE a hard-to-cover tattoo. Got it the day before a new owner took over the store I was working at, and as nice as he is, I had to work hard to overcome his first impression of me because of it. It was the first exchange we had, him asking if I was able to cover it up somehow...