Why Kids (Minors) Shouldn't Get Tattoos & Piercings
Saturday July 19, 2003
Since school let out for summer break, the message board on this site has been bombarded with pre-teens and teens asking questions about gettting tattooed and pierced, and giving each other bad advice how to "care" for their artwork that is in direct contrast to what any professional would recommend.
The adults are at their wits end with these juveniles stirring up trouble and the kids seem to be getting more ignorant by the minute. This article is not intended for the rare, mature, intelligent, responsible teen who listens to their parents and knows how to form a complete sentence. One such teen, in fact, shares her own wisdom about why minors should wait until they are of legal age.
The adults are at their wits end with these juveniles stirring up trouble and the kids seem to be getting more ignorant by the minute. This article is not intended for the rare, mature, intelligent, responsible teen who listens to their parents and knows how to form a complete sentence. One such teen, in fact, shares her own wisdom about why minors should wait until they are of legal age.
Comments
Its the teens that go out and do things with out their parents permission that give things like this a bad rep. I recently turned 16. Im getting a tattoo in a few months. Im patiently waiting until after volleyball season because you shouldnt sweat (as I would in practice) when the tattoo is healing; you can get an infection. Before you start to judge me, just let me say that I have done my research and Ive been thinking about getting one for over a year. I DO have my parents permission so I will be going to a reputable artist. Ive thought long and hard about the tattoo and designed it myself. Ive already emailed several artist’s (whos work I have already checked out I might add) and the few who have gotten back to me already have said no. Age isnt everything. There are some 18 year olds who dont have the maturity level to get a tattoo. I think that who the artist tattoos should be up to their discretion. It should be like an interveiw process, the artist meets with the client, and IF they think they are mature enough they can tattoo them. I feel that I am mature enough to get a tattoo as do my parents. Now I just have to find an artist.
yes dear,we know that not all 18 yr olds are mature enough for a tattoo,but guess what?they are considered,in the eyes of the law,to be adults. You,however,are not. Thats good that you are being safe and have your parents permission,but dont give snarky comments about everything the article and us are all stating. That shows immaturity,as do most of your comments. Im sorry,but the tattoo artist is NOT going to be able to tell if youre mature enough for a tattoo.They are not your mommy or daddy. They shouldnt have to determine if you are “mature” enough to have a tattoo,since its not their job or place to determine that. Going to get a tattoo is NOT like a job interview-those two are so far from each other,its not even funny.I feel that you need a few more years to grow up and see BOTH sides of this issue,because many of your comments and points are very immature and not very well thought out.
i am 11 and i have had my top ear picered when i was 10 and 11 when i hd my belly picered .picereings dont hurt at ull
I am 16 and i think it is so stupid how people thing that we are immature. I am more mature than most adults I know. I am also financially independant and have more money than most 40 year olds that I know. It should be my decision to get whatever I want.
Hey, I think this article is TRASH!!!! Im 20 and have been tattooed since the day I turned 16! My Dad is tattooed my mom is tattooed and we are extremly close! INFACT my entire family flew from overseas to florida (I live in NY) just to watch my first tattoo!!! And who says the advice is bad, I WEAR ZINC SPF sunscreen and tattooed people should too! My 4 year old tatt looks newer then my moms 1 year old tatt.
And figure this im 20 and Im still a child! There are 30 year olds that are still children! Age has nothing to do with maturity. Every one of my 5 tatts my parents are proud of. Proud that I tatt myself and not smoke myself to death, proud of their meanings and the art that I choose to be on my body forever.
I choose my tats YEARS before getting them and I am still happy with them, only one (which I got of AGE) I feel is in a undesired location.
The article that the teen wrote about waiting one year, if you were mature enough to make that decision fly down to FLA with your parents and get their consent. Secondly YOU ARE A FOOL if you don’t get it in a shop. Most shops that see you have one tattoo already rarely ask for ID (I know because I got two more underage tattoos in NY)! SO DUH GET IT DONE BY A PRO!
FURTHER MORE … Piercings? WHO CARES?! They close! … END OF STOREY. My parents philosophy is get what ever you want peirced but as long as you can take the pain. I had 10 peicreing by 18 and I am letting my belly button close now (all with parental consent and blessings!) because it gets stuck on my belt buckles and whenit comes down to it I wear a belt more often then a bikini (pro snowboarder).
I do agree with not going against your parents but instead of getting whiney and trying to figure out how to do it anyway TALK TO YOUR PARENTS YOU NITWITS … it’s much easier, legal, free (ask for it for your birthday). Even if they are extremly against it make a presentation of the Tattoo you want … why you want it, and what it means to you. If your getting a nautical star because you like the “scene” I agree with them … you’re lame and DON’T DO IT. But If your getting a nautical star because you travlled 5,000 miles at sea DO IT! …
The most important thing to remember is “ITS WITH YOU FOREVER” and you may think you understand that but figure with 60 years plus left to go, you may get bored of it.
My Advice convince parents if its that meaningful, if it is and they aren’t convinced it can wait. If it’s not so meaningful, not enough that your parents won’t even think about it then print it out. Tac it all over your room, and a year later see how you feel! I had hundreds of ideas on my walls and I tore them down after not liking them any more (otherwise I would have a teenage mutant ninja turtle!). OOoo And always think about your wedding dress too. IE do you care if people see your tat at your wedding.
Hey! I got my first tattoo underage. My mom went with me. She got one too. They really don’t care as long as you’re paying em and you make good conversation. I actually made friends. I’m not 18 and they offered me an apprenticeship. Yay for me, one day I’ll be tattooing people.