It is undeniable that there is a tattoo problem in the world. While it affects almost every age group, millennials in particular have taken to the pseudo art form and scarred themselves, in many instances, irreparably (it’s as artistic as cartoons or notebook doodles; we’ve lost the meaning of the word ‘art’). Is there any surprise that tattoo removal is now a booming business? I, like most, have noticed the trend towards tattooing by a generation that is known as impulsive, lacking in foresight, and narcissistic while demonstrating it openly with a poor aesthetic sensibility for all to see. Where once tattoos were historically the marks of pagans and tribal warriors, and then appropriated by military servicemen and violent gangs, they have now become the fashion statements of the short-sighted and impulsive, and in some cases the mentally ill. Multiple studies are starting to emerge that give us some insight into the tattooed in our midst. Just look at the #facetattoo hashtag on Instagram and see the mental illness of many people on full display.
At their very core, tattoos seek to modify not only one’s body, but the self-esteem of the recipient as well. It is a way for many people to envision a more perfect self, and in so doing, admitting their un-tattooed self is imperfect. Rather than working on the inner self and dealing with the esteem and body-image issues, many people have taken to scarring themselves as a bandaid solution for the greater internal problems not dealt with. An article in Psychology Today put it like this:
Today, tattoos have proliferated. While rationales can be as varied as the designs, all tattoos modify self-esteem as well as bodies. Like cosmetics, tattoos are prosthetic, since like an artificial limb they make up for something felt to be missing or inadequate. We’re always devising ways to enhance parts of our bodies, from diets and wigs to a Michael Jackson makeover. Once we’re self-aware, there’s really no such thing as a wholly “natural” body. We compete with others and ourselves to envision a more perfect us.
It should not surprise us that many people, especially millennials, feel lost in the world and are almost begging to be noticed. They feel unnoticed by the masses around them and tattoos, it is thought, will get one the needed attention and make them stand out as an individual. It is thought to be a method by which to improve one’s status in the world, albeit a shallow one.
Tattoos promise to make you attractive, as if you have a personal force akin to gravity. Notice me. The more attraction you command, the more attention you get, and the more life you have—as we see in the public’s devotion to celebrities and leaders. As the name says, hero-worship, too, has a religious character, and if you’re the hero, you’re superhuman. The more people you have thinking about you, the more of you there seems to be. In the wisdom of slang, you can be, if not godlike, at least a “bigshot.”
Sadly, what was once seen as rebellious to societal norms has become the norm as we’ve witnessed the inversion of virtue on a grand scale. It is no longer individualistic and daring to do exactly what everyone else is doing, yet this seems lost on the many who think they are exactly that.
While the statistics about men tattooing themselves are interesting, and do somewhat mirror the statistics pertaining to women, the stats that emerge about tattooed females tell a much bleaker tale of our cultural drift towards the nihilistic and banal. The most highly tattooed demographic is women in their 20’s (several studies conclude close to 40%) which indicates a massive rejection of classically feminine traits. Women of today have traded in their feminine power of natural beauty for trite and meaningless “girl power individualism” by adding the outward ink markings. The true power of the feminine has been abandoned for the traditionally masculine procedure; and this has been to the detriment of tattooed women and how they are viewed. (And any society that allows their men to be feminized and their women to be masculinized will not survive more than two generations. We are in the last stages of final decline). Studies have shown that men assess tattooed women negatively.
The few studies that have focused on men’s perceptions of tattooed women have found that these women are seen in a generally negative light. One study, for example, asked men to rate a 24-year old woman seen in a photograph on a range of personal characteristics. Some men were shown the photo with a black dragon tattoo on the woman’s upper left arm; others were shown the photo without the tattoo. When men saw the woman with the tattoo, they judged her as less athletic, less motivated, less honest, less generous, less religious, less intelligent and less artistic than when she displayed no tattoo. But Guéguen noticed one curious set of findings in this thin research area: While men see tattooed women as less attractive, they also see them as more promiscuous.
There exists a healthy body of research that indicates men exalt beauty in both long-term and in short-term mating, and in every one of them a women with tattoos is predominantly seen as a short-term partner; ie. not a quality long-term partner or responsible parent. This is why tattoos are considered “sexy” by men. Tattoos don’t make women any more attractive (in fact, in scarring herself she becomes less so), they simply provide an easy method of quickly identifying that she is more readily accessible sexually than her un-tattooed counterpart. Studies also show that various aspects of female appearance are used to evaluate their “mating value” and tattoos are always seen as a decrease in that value as women with tattoos generally engage in riskier behaviours.
After adjusting for all other variables, women who currently used tobacco and those who had used cannabis in the last 12 months were more likely to have been tattooed than women who did not use tobacco or cannabis. Increasing number of lifetime sex partners was also associated with a greater likelihood of being tattooed: 3% of women who reported one sex partner or none reported being tattooed compared to 30% of women with 11 or more lifetime sex partners.
And this comports similarly with the behaviours found in men that were associated with tattoos:
A number of behaviors were associated with having a tattoo for men. Men who smoked had twice the odds of having been tattooed. Men with more lifetime sexual partners were more likely to have a tattoo, eg, 1 in 25 men who reported one sex partner or none reported a tattoo compared to 1 in 4 men who reported 11 or more lifetime sexual partners. Men who reported ever being told by a doctor they have depression had 1.3 times the odds of having a tattoo after adjusting for all other variables.
In other words, tattoos are a marker for riskier and more unhealthy behaviours (in both men and women) and correlate highly with those who are impulsive and value short-term gratification over the lost virtue of self-control; who have a greater chance at having an unskilled job and lower level of education; who smoke; who do drugs (4 times the likelihood); who have 3 to 5 times higher the number of sexual partners than average; who have more than double the likelihood of having had an STD; who are more likely to identify as non-heterosexual; and who suffer from depression or other mental disorders. Tattoos are a window into the psyche and makeup of people, and if looked through clearly, reveals something underneath that is an unpleasant reality for many.
I don’t disagree that one persons “body art” is another persons tramp stamp; that on the surface tattoos can be viewed differently as perspectives can change over time. BUT, the research is pretty clear that across the board, tattoos are generally markers of deeper problems. I do feel some sympathy for early childhood sex abuse victims who are prone to tattooing themselves as a way of coping with their inner pain. But again, as mentioned previously, this just confirms that it is an outward sign of something mentally or emotionally wrong within.
…It was found that women with tattoos were more likely to be younger, to drink more alcohol, to have more psychiatric symptoms and to show borderline personality features than were the non tattooed women. They were also more likely to report child sexual abuse and the conclusion is that tattoos in women are statistically linked to child sexual abuse, and to later psychopathology in some women (Archives Of Women’s Mental Health).
These criticisms do not come from a misunderstanding of different generations; it is not a generational difference that allows tattoos to be viewed differently. Millennial’s, overwhelmingly, are a broken generation and they use tattoos as a band-aid for their brokenness as the data so clearly illustrates. In fact, Generation Z, which follows the Millennials, by and large, have a much greater disdain for tattoos than their predecessors which means this trend is already lessening.
I fully support the freedom for people to ink themselves as they please, but not without judgement. We all make judgements every minute of every day and the research is clear that tattoos outwardly tell a story and reveal the inner psyche of the person who has purposely scarred themselves. The pendulum will eventually swing back, as fashion trends so often do, and many will be left with permanent reminders of their impulsiveness and poor choices in the blurred ink covering their body parts.
We should reject modern tattoo culture and the short-sighted view of life it embodies. Tattoos aren’t edgy anymore; they are a clichè. We should yearn for those things that are good and pure and look first to fix our problems from within, rather than mask them from without. The naysayers will say, “I love tattoos and will continue to get more!” That is their choice. But the studies and evidence are overwhelmingly clear that the tattooed reveal far more about themselves and their instability than merely their taste in “art” so-called.
(Sebastian Maniscalco, capturing as nearly as perfect as one can, the modern day mentality around tattoos):
I feel personally attacked.
Facts cannot be offensive.
“Facts cannot be offensive” is a cop-out. Whereas the intention behind that saying of “everyone is responsible for their feelings” is true, the statement, as is, is completely false. If we break this down it means that a person cannot hear a statement which corresponds to reality and then subsequently feel an emotion of sadness, anger or even guilt. But this is untrue and can logically occur and has been observed in peer reviewed studies and recorded in medical journals. Offensive is an extremely broad term covering a wide array of possible stimuli resulting in the above mentioned feelings. Even smells can offend your senses let alone an unsettling truth. To offend means merely to evoke an unpleasant feeling.* The real question here is: who is responsible for the feeling?
If one is trying to convey that a point in the process is missed and the individual attempts to absolve themselves of responsibility then that is a fair point to make. In reality the subconscious mind is comparing a fact with their current viewpoint or actions and the mismatch causes themselves to feel something “bad”. The amygdala is the cause of this emotional release that is attempting to bring their awareness to a dichotomy that was detected and must be resolved. The official term for this is cognitive dissonance.
Unfortunately people for generations have been trained to pass the blame and refuse to take an honest assessment of their situation. This is common among the religious, legalistic individuals.
Passing the blame is certainly not unique to us millennials, just ask the older generations of what they once thought of the young baby boomers. But sin has a habit of progressing over time and multiplying. The younger generations are more lost than the previous ones. I personally fear for the youngest “gen z” as many grow up being abused as children when their sexual identities are called into question.
* Further example illustrating how a fact can offend the senses.
Fact: Truth / Statement which corresponds to reality.
Offend: To cause or evoke an unpleasant feeling such as anger sadness or guilt.
Example 1:
A fart offended me.
“A fart” – fact of life
“offended” – to evoke anger(disgust), sadness(suicidal ideation)
“me” – my sense of smell
Conclusion: Your farts can most certainly offend my sense of smell, do not fart around me.
Example 2:
Sasha was offended when her Grandfather said that as a result of her promiscuous behavior she probably would be unable to emotionally bond with her next partner.
“she probably would be unable to emotionally bond with her next partner” – fact based on modern understanding of method and action of Oxytocin
“offended” – to evoke anger(disgust), sadness, guilt
Conclusion: Sasha could most certainly be offended by the harsh truth her grandfather told her. But it does her no good to not accept responsibility for her actions.
Bri was kidding….right?
P.S. tats are gross and I thought I was the only one of this opinion. Seriously though, I have seen tats on ladies that caused me to literally gag. Yay for my generation!
I think this post is necessary and true. Werl done.
Oh, how more people need to read this article. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this.
Dear Dbro, yay to you for taking time to write this article. Seems like everytime ya turn around, there’s some woman covered in UGLY scribble. Bleech!
I just hope they’re happy with their ugly tats. That’s is all.
This is the most closed minded garbage I’ve read in a long time.
It must be hard going through life with this level of hate and judgement
I notice you didn’t bother interacting with any of the points made. Enjoy your ink. It tells people more about you than you ever realized.
You’re an imbecile, you got tattoos knowing people would give you more attention for them. Nobody promised you it’d be only positive attention.
You’re clearly not smart enough to comment here if that’s the best you got. Perhaps that’s even more evidence of the lower IQ’s of those with tattoos. Next time, try addressing the actual argument and evidence presented rather than whining like a child that someone is being mean.
It seems that there are more of us that are totally revulsed by tatoos than I thought. These people(the tatooed bunch) should know that they create great discomfort in us to put it mildly. Maybe it is time to be as loud as they are. And express our discontent. For what else will stop this hell .
Because that is what this calamity is to me.
Great discomfort? Really? All the tattooed bunch make me feel is disappointment. I am disappointed that women and men disfigure their bodies. I will disagree with the author; tattoos ARE art. And most art is bad. I wouldn’t pay to have a painting placed in my house that I had to pay again to have it removed when I realized it was a mistake.
Everything here are conclusions ive made in my life. I’m in my mid 20s and hate tattoos. I’ve hated them entire life. They disgust me. I won’t date a girl with tattoos. Makes me sick looking at girls. It’s the first thing I look for to qualify a girl or not.
Disgust? Yeah. I like to play with inked-up freaks sometimes. They’ll gush about their tattoos seeking validation and approval and I’ll just say “Tattoos are disgusting.” When they object and confront me for being “bigoted”, “offensive” etc., I’ll appear to back down by saying, “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean it.” When they quieten down, I follow with up, “It’s actually piercings I find disgusting. Tattoos are just retarded.”
What cucks call bigotry is 100% based though.
Solid article. The prevalence of tattooing has actually gotten much much worse since Covid started. This most likely because people got bored and even more full of themselves on Anti-social Media. It really amazes me how many Women from my generation and younger think tattooing is some kind of beauty trend now. How many of these women change their makeup? Hair? They cannot cheaply change a tattoo……unless they want to spend more to get a cover up or significantly more to get it removed. So why are these women getting them in droves like it is a fashion statement? Most of the tattoos are completely pointless garbage too. Social Media Vanity is my guess. Even meaningful Tattoos are questionable in my opinion. Why do people feel the need to outwardly show their inner emotions today? Your brain is for that. Use it. No need to display your sadness to everyone else other than a craving of sympathy from others. The whole Fad is just a product of Social Media and Influence of our modern day Role Model Athletes and Entertainers. Many of whom have chosen to adorn their bodies with countless questionable decisions. The whole situation makes you wonder the real reason behind the explosion and what the future holds. The Mark of the Beast definitely seems more likely during an age in which tattooing is so widely accepted.
Appreciate the thoughtful remarks. Lost people look for meaning in things and symbols and think by inking it on their skin it will help to fill the void they struggle with. I haven’t softened in my view of tattoos since writing this, but have come to realize there’s far more “hurt” out there than I ever realized, and people are wearing it on their sleeves, so to speak.
They are lost because Society as a whole is lost. As I said in my previous post it really isn’t being lost it is the insatiable appetite for feeling accepted. Most of these folks have that appetite due to social media. The Tattoo craze goes hand and hand with societal figures and the rise in social media. No way can that be a coincidence. Social Media is warping young peoples brains in to doing vain things. Social Media in of itself is vanity. Look at me, look at what I am wearing, look at my hair, look at where I traveled to, look at what I am cooking. Tattooing goes hand in hand with it. Look at my new tattoo. Social Media is the biggest “social” disgrace ever invented.
Dave, excellent .. very well written !
If you fall in love with a painting and hang it in your home you will admire it for a while but quite soon you will only acknowledge it infrequently until a time when you hardly notice it and it becomes commonplace. So you may then move it or replace it
This is not the same with tattoo “art”, unless you have the cash and pain endurance to have them removed.
I sometimes spot a beautiful lady in the crowd but am immediately repulsed by disfiguring tattoo(s) and curious to speculate on what she will think of them when age and colour degeneration do their work.
I also note tha the term “Jobstopper” has entered the dictionary where the idle rely on facial tattoos to prevent being offered jobs which would stop their workshy benefits.
I got a tattoo in 2010, joining the legions of Cookie Cutters getting inked. Some meaningless design I thought looked cool, on my right shoulder. I remember after it was done, the dude said, “Just so you know, they’re addicting.” Fast forward 13 years later, I still only have the one tat and honestly, because it’s on a place that’s mostly covered unless I’m sleeveless, I forget I have it most of the time. I’m almost embarrassed to show it because then I get, “That’s all you have?” I can’t imagine the regret the people whose arms and legs are covered in ink will have in 15 or 20 years.
Great article!
Thanks Dan. Glad you came to the realization sooner rather than later. You’re absolutely right though, there’s a lot of regret out there already amongst the impulsive who thought it would be cool an edgy. Appreciate the kind words.
I’ve always viewed them as a sign of immaturity and insecurity and impulsiveness. A desperate wanting to fit in, a mask to hide behind, a projection of an image of what you aren’t but desperately want to be. I was in the military in the 80s and almost no one had one. I work for the military now and damn near every one has one. And you’re right, they’re the lost generation, no identity, no confidence, no hope. Why are they like that? We could debate endlessly. But it’s not about “art”, or “expression” or whatever other BS excuse comes up. There is no great meaning in barbed wire or razor wire on your shoulder, or skulls and daggers and crap. I saw a guy with an ice cream cone wearing sun glasses, for Pete’s sake. It’s not a sign of aggression or strength. It’s a sign of “look at me and the image I present, it’s a costume to hide who I really am, which is a scared human with no beliefs, no values, and no hope. Please love me!” Sad that is what the youth of our country have become because that’s the world they were given. Boys can’t be boys, girls can’t be girls, being smart, religious, hard working or having integrity is denigrated as “weak”, “racist”, “misogynist”, “bigoted”, or a thousand other insults. Reap what ye sow.
Wish I had written that. Very well said.