In the United States, it has become more common for adults to have tattoos. 38% of young adults 18-29 have a tattoo and are most likely to get one. However, the older generation is not keen on getting or other people having tattoos.
In the United States, the older generation is more likely to disapprove of tattoos. They grew up in a time when tattoos were stigmatized and culturally less accepting than they are now. 40% of those 65 years and older have a negative impression when they see someone tattooed.
Jennifer Lauderback, who is from Generation X and has three children, is very against tattoos. Lauderback states, “It is unprofessional for a person to get a tattoo because they are not classy.” She also thinks tattoos are unhealthy because they inject ink into the bloodstream. For these reasons, Lauderback would never want one of her children to get a tattoo.
For young adults who want to have tattoos or already have tattoos, this can be difficult when it comes to their parents. Some young adults feel afraid to get a tattoo due to negative reactions from their parents or that they might get cut off. Those young adults who choose to get a tattoo depict what parents will get the tattoo in an easy spot to hide. For young people tattoos are a form of self-expression and allow people to be themselves.
It is hard for the older generation to accept and understand that. Many of them are still stuck in a negative, rigid mindset and will not take those with tattoos seriously. Only with time, as the older generations no longer exist, will there be less negative stigma. Changing the older generations’ negative views on tattoos will be hard.