While tattoos have been around for centuries, it seems that their popularity comes and goes. Currently, tattoos are undergoing a massive boom in popularity however there is still a segment of society that still think “tattoos are trashy”. A judgment that harsh might be a little unfair but how much you like or dislike tattoos is obviously a personal decision.

As tattoos become more and more popular they also become more and more acceptable. All indicators suggest this trend will continue but remember that social attitudes can shift quickly.

It is important to understand where the stigma against tattoos comes from so that we can better understand how to remove such bias from our thinking. The stigma against tattoos originates from their association with a marginal and antisocial individuals. Many people believe that only bikers, sailors, and various types of criminals get a tattoo but this misconception has also been drastically shifting in recent decades Please continue reading to learn more about tattoos, the various stereotypes that come with them and how attitudes are changing.

What are Tattoo Stereotypes?

You probably already know that a stereotype is a preconceived notion we have about a person, regardless of whether or not it has any basis in fact. When it comes to tattoos, some long-held stereotypes have proven difficult to shake. Some of the stereotypes attached to individuals with tattoos include the assumption that you fall into one of the following groups:

Criminal
Biker
Military (undignified and unrefined servicemen)
Prostitute

Females tend to receive the worst brunt of tattoo stereotypes. While it may have grown slightly more acceptable for men to have a tattoo, women tend to be judged more harshly if they choose to have one. It seems that much of society is not accepting of women with tattoos. This is not fair to the individual in most cases, but it is nonetheless what often happens.

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Why Have Tattoos Been Viewed Negatively?

The stigma around tattoos is somewhat understandable because polite society has always called the shots and no one in the cultural elite wants to be mistaken for having anti-social attitudes. Tattoos have been seen as markers for certain groups in society who operate outside traditional standards or norms and the upper class have always been secretly terrified of what might happen to their power if norms and standards shift out from under them.

For decades, tattoos have been associated with prison inmates. To have visible ink on your body automatically puts you in this category in the eyes of much of society. While it is definitely a bias that can be overcome, it nonetheless exists and needs to be taken into consideration.

Are Tattoos Becoming More Acceptable?

It does appear that tattoos are gradually becoming more accepted in many different segments of society. This does not mean that the stigma surrounding tattoos is gone, but it does mean that people with tattoos should feel freer and more confident to display their body ink when out in public or in their professional life.

The Statista Research Department recently reported that roughly 44% of the American population now has at least one tattoo. If this trend continues, that will put those with a tattoo in the majority for the first time in modern history. That will almost certainly continue the trend of society looking at tattoos in a more favorable light.

Why Does Everyone Have Tattoos Now?

As the statistic above alludes to, it seems as if just about everyone is getting a tattoo today. The rise in popularity can mainly be attributed to the relatively recent flare up of reality TV shows that feature tattooing in one way or another.

This is a double edged sword. on the one hand its great because tattoos should be more acceptable and now they can be seen as symbols of personal expression and freedom which individuals in modern society crave. You can represent your own opinions and ideas through a tattoo in a very unique ways.

On the other hand this acceptance means that tattoos have much less of the outlaw quality that once made them so tantalizing. Mainstream pop-culture has adopted the tattoo as a piece of street cred which serves the dual purpose of legitimizing the culturally approved “rebels” while also making once subversive subcultures and life-styles much less threatening. The mainstream can now have its cake and eat it too.

People from all walks of life are getting a tattoo today, which explains why it seems that everyone has one. No longer are tattoos reserved for certain groups in society. People from all socioeconomic classes are now seen getting tattoos, and this alone has opened up the concept to people who never would have considered getting one a few decades ago.

Are Tattoos Becoming MORE Popular?

Tattoos do appear to be gaining in popularity across the globe. In recent years, their popularity has soared among young people between the ages of 25 and 40. Its popularity can also be reflected in the number of people who are employed in the industry. In the United States alone, there are now more than 50,000 professional tattoo artists plying their trade.

Tattoos are now regularly seen on the bodies of celebrities. They are openly displayed on television shows and movies. They no longer seem to be a forbidden topic around the dinner table. All of these developments and more are contributing to their surge in popularity.

Are Tattoos Still Considered Unprofessional?

Even though tattoos have become more acceptable across broad segments of society, in many circumstances they are still largely viewed as being unprofessional. though more-so than decades past, It is still not common to see tattoos openly displayed in traditional corporate environments. Many fine dining establishments still frown upon their staff displaying tattoos out of fear that certain customers will be offended.

Regional demographics can have a large impact on this as well. In the U.S. there are still large populations in areas of the country that are traditionally considered more conservative where flaunting visible tattoos might be taken negatively. I cant speak for the rest of the world but I am positive that there are many cultures outside of the U.S. which still look unfavorably on tattoos. In Japan for instance you still are not allowed in public pools and bath houses if you have visible tattoos because of the association that tattoos have with violent Yakuza.

While this sentiment might be slowly changing, it is apparent that tattoos will continue to be viewed as unprofessional in certain circles. Many still see them as holding a negative connotation, so many people will choose to cover up their tattoos when in certain environments in order to avoid any type of stereotyping.

Can You Be Fired for Tattoos?

Having a tattoo does not put you in a protected class of society, such as being gay or handicapped would. As such, individuals with a tattoo have no intrinsic employment rights based upon the fact that they have a tattoo. Technically it is within an employer’s right to terminate any employee because they have a visible tattoo anywhere on their body. However even this is likely to change soon, as more outspoken individuals demand fair treatment even for elective personal choices like getting tattooed.

Many professionals will advise that a person with a tattoo cover them up prior to going to an interview. If you do not want to work in an environment where you cannot freely display your tattoo, then you will want to cover that with your employer prior to accepting the job. Failing to do so may end up with you getting fired.

It is important to research the policies of the companies you want to work for prior to getting tattooed or seeking employment if you have large visible tattoos.

Tattoo Popularity Statistics

As alluded to, tattoos are becoming more and more popular with certain demographic groups. This trend has been continuing for some time, and it does not appear to show any signs of slowing down. Here are some tattoo popularity statistics that you might be interested in:

7 out of 10 people with a tattoo have more than one.
2 out of 10 people with a tattoo have more than five.
Roughly 44% of American adults have at least one tattoo.
More than 70% of adults with a tattoo typically cover them up when in public.
Women tend to feel more remorse over getting a tattoo than men.

As the popularity of tattoos continues to increase, it is believed that more stereotypes will be broken, and there will not be as much bias toward individuals who choose to have one.

Wrap-Up

No matter if you have a tattoo or not, you probably have your own thoughts on the topic. As this post demonstrates, you are not alone. There is a certain stigma attached to them, so it is up to us to determine how we will view individuals with tattoos moving forward. It is important to embrace all people equally, regardless of the ink that they may have on their bodies.

Thanks for reading