Nothing seems abnormal about having tattoos in today’s world. And as tattoos become more common, teens, it appears look to tattoos as fashion statements and forms of expression.
Some teens claim getting a tattoo was a personal choice, while others admit to being pressured into it. Whatever the motivation for getting a tattoo, the act of expressing oneself may seem harmless now, until these pieces of permanent body art become an issue in the future? Exactly how?
Job applications, where it is important to make a good first impression is one of such examples. Though some teens are of the opinion that because tattoos are increasingly becoming more acceptable in society, there is a high likelihood that future employers, and hiring managers will be branded themselves. But how true is this logic? Let us consider some of the facts.
Though tattoos do not affect an individual’s ability to get the job done, there is still the chance that employers can make negative prejudgements about an individual because of his/her tattoos. Think about the more conservative careers in Law, Medicine, Banking and Finance; how do professionals in these fields turn out from your own observation? Would anyone take a tattoo-spotting investment banker, doctor, international lawyer or financial expert seriously? I am sure you answered No to this query.
Despite the increasing acceptability of tattoos in society, you are more likely to find them among a small niche of people, usually those of the creative type – movie stars, musicians, artists, sport stars – and less among professionals in such conservative careers as listed above.
No matter how you dissect it, or from what perspective you choose to look at it, it will never change the fact that tattoos will continue to be viewed as rebellious by most people, which in turn will affect your future prospects of getting a job. And if you do have tattoos, then you will have to always wear long sleeves to cover it up.
Though some teens may look forward to a future of acceptance with tattoos, others focus on the current state of acceptance when considering whether or not to get a tattoo. Waiting can lead to wiser decisions about what kind of tattoo you get—and where.
Because the way you felt when you got the tattoo may not be the way you will feel when you get older, and are expected by society to be more responsible.