Tattoos, Social Stigma and Women

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Tattoos, Social Stigma and Women
I was just reading an article that indicated that almost as many women get tattoos as men.

The article suggested that more women get them removed because of social stigma issues related to tattoos. A study was done that showed women felt that it was impacting how they were perceived at work, school or in public. The study found "93% said having to hide the tattoos on occasion was a factor in theremoval compared with 20% of men. About 40% of women endured negativecomments at work, in public or in school compared with 5% of men." Here is the link: Link

Do you tend to think tattoos say something about a woman's personality?

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- 7/22/2008 9:02 AM
- pink_lemon_princess (message)
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I would not go that far except to say they don't look very good. Some guys do believe that a woman who wears tatoos is an easy conquest.
- 7/22/2008 9:03 AM
- paoguy118 (message)
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It depends on what the tattoo is, how big or small it is, and where it is on her body (goes for men too) but as usual, there is a double standard.
Ultimately, yes tattoos say something about a woman's (or a man's) personality.
- 7/22/2008 9:05 AM
- Luvlystarr (message)
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If it's a tweety bird tattoo on her breast that probably means she is fat.
Or has very poor taste.
- 7/22/2008 9:05 AM
- attercop (message)
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I've got a good friend who has big tattoos on her arms... And I thought that she would be scary, but it turns out she's the nicest girl in my class. I miss her like crazy! Anyway. Tattoos on women aren't common here.
- 7/22/2008 9:06 AM
- VersaGratis (message)
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Tattoos are meant to be a form of expression; so, sure. Of course it does. Just like clothing, or haircut, or whatever else about a person's physical appearance says something about who they are.
- 7/22/2008 9:06 AM
- Kestryl (message)
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If she is thin then she is wild in bed. If she is fat then she is just peacocking and only dates ugly guys.
- 7/22/2008 9:07 AM
- GhostBenjimon (message)
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Tattoos say something about anyone's personality.
- 7/22/2008 9:08 AM
- TiRocKiinPiinK (message)
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Yes, I really want one. I think tattoos are fine on women as long as they are tastefully done.
- 7/22/2008 9:09 AM
- Chesschick01 (message)
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There's a social stereotype on people with tattoos. They're either hard-core, drug users, violent, moody, poor, under-educated, etc.

Sure, there are a few out there like that but the majority of us that have ink (myself included) are some of the nicest people that you'd ever want to meet.

Yes, there are certain places that you shouldn't get inked depending on your job but we all accept that and still we get the work done and feel better about ourselves for doing it.

Tattoos don't say anything about a person other than they enjoy having the work done and showing it off.
- 7/22/2008 9:10 AM
- SladeTheGreyFox (message)
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Tramp stamp anyone?
Tattoos are awesome and when a chick gets a tattoos that fits her, it can be the hottest thing in the world. Tattoos can tell you a lot about the person who has them. That's what they're for.
- 7/22/2008 9:12 AM
- Lithium98 (message)
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Depending on where it is, how big it is, and what it is of, it conveys a different message about the woman. I'd say women who have tattoos are generally bold and are speaking some message through their tattoo. Since a woman is normally judged by her appearance, it makes sense that she would get more heat for what she does to her body. Wish that wasn't the case though.
- 7/22/2008 9:11 AM
- GodArt (message)
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Of course they do; that's the whole point! I don't really see them as much different than jewelry. Some are tasteful and discreet, some are bold and creative, some look cheap and kind of creepy.
- 7/22/2008 9:13 AM
- saintvi (message)
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I just think tattoos are unnecessary and ostentatiously ugly and at best distracting.
- 7/22/2008 9:14 AM
- Drakonskyr (message)
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I think it depends on where it is and where they work. I think men and women will be criticized if they had a tattoo on their neck at a law firm or something.

A tattoo is jsut a way of expressing yourself..it's just permanent body art.
- 7/22/2008 9:14 AM
- naruto_nerd (message)
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I have a tattoo on my ankle. I don't think it says a whole lot about me at all. It isn't very big. It says something though, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten it. I guess it says, I like mermaids and I think it is kind of sexy to have a tattoo on my ankle.
- 7/22/2008 9:15 AM
- Asthma_is_Sexy (message)
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Good morning

I would say that women who get tattoos are more likely to be risktakers and tend to be a little more outgoing, Then again, I may or may not be wrong.
Don't mean to offend anyone, but when I was single, I avoided girls who had tramp stamps because I thought they were...well tramps. I really don't see the point of getting a tattoo if you can barely even see it.
- 7/22/2008 9:15 AM
- LightningRichy (message)
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All tattoos are suppose to say something about your personality thats why you get them. I have four and while they are all in places I can cover them up if needed for professional reasons I usually dont. I think mine are well chosen, in good taste and look good.
- 7/22/2008 9:15 AM
- kellychicky (message)
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I suppose they do, although thy don't always say what people think they do. One of my dearest friends has a tattoo and wants more (apparently once you start it's hard to stop). She's a really sweet girl and not trashy, or easy, or too hard, or whatever the other stereotypes about ladies with tattoos are. I personally wouldn't get one for myself because I don't personally think they are very attractive, but I'd be careful of typing someone based on a tattoo or any other external feature, because people can and often do surprise.
ETA: I would advise a family member or friend of mine not to get one though, because there is a stigma attached, and it does give many people (and professionals) a negative impression. To me a tattoo is not worth risking a career or other prospects.
- 7/22/2008 9:19 AM
- WomanOfLight (message)
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Yeah, sure.
But usually you don't know what it says until you know more about them.
- 7/22/2008 9:16 AM
- la_faerie_joyeuse (message)
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Yes they do, they say: "Hi, I follow every trend".

Just kidding!
- 7/22/2008 9:17 AM
- nattata (message)
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I just ad another one done and in a recent entry, I joked about the lower back tattoos girls get. I've heard them called Tramp Stamps, Easy Buttons, etc. Mine are covered by clothing.
- 7/22/2008 9:18 AM
- keensandmerrills (message)
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I have a tattoo and intend to get another. It took me years to decide to get one and at one point I'd picked one out and then changed my mind. I waited another 6 years until I got one.
I always recommend to anyone thinking of getting a tattoo to wear a temporary one and see how people react to it. If you can endure the negative comments with a temporary then you can endure them with a permanent.
Don't waste the money if you think later you'll get it removed.
@LightningRichy - I assume you mean the tat in the small of the back.
- 7/22/2008 9:22 AM
- jada_marnew (message)
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That's what tattoos are for.
- 7/22/2008 9:22 AM
- ImageGallery (message)
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I think it's unsafe to generalize or stereotype anyone based on appearance.....you need to get to know the person. But probably different personality types choose to get tattoos versus those who don't choose to get them - it's a personal preference thing, and means something different to each person.
- 7/22/2008 9:24 AM
- musicmom60 (message)
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