Are Tattoos and Piercings a Big Deal?

Being a parent of a teen is not easy. There are so many things out there that you and your teenager must face. It can be hard to know if you are doing the right thing. Every decision you make can greatly affect your teen.

When it comes to tattoos and piercings, most parents are inclined to say no. More and more teens are likely to say that it is not such a big deal. So are tattoos and piercings a big deal? Well, the truth is that they are a big deal. Most body modifications are permanent and most young people are not able to make a decision on their own about something as permanent as this.

The difference is that tattoos and body piercings are becoming more acceptable and mainstream. This means more parents are likely to have body mods themselves and more parents are likely to say yes.

Piercings

When it comes to body piercings, a good rule is to take it one at a time and judge according to what your child wants and your teen’s age and maturity level. For example, since the 1980’s is has become acceptable for girls to have their earlobes pierced. In fact, you are more pressed to find a girl that does not have hers pierced than one that does. Many males have also begun piercing their lobes.

When it comes to other body piercing, not only do you need to consider the risk of infection and scarring, you also need to consider school rules and dress codes. Most dress codes will not allow visible piercings. Another factor to consider is that many piercings will stretch, move as you grow with age and leave scars. Inform yourself and talk to your teen honestly about all of the consequences.

Tattoos

Tattoos are a slightly different story. Most reputable tattoo artists and studios will not tattoo a person that is under age. In some states, it is against the law even with parental permission. The first thing you need to do is check the laws and regulations for your area.

While tattoos can be removed, the process is expensive and painful. A person should be absolutely sure of what they are doing before they get a tattoo. A tattoo shouldn’t be something you get as a fad or because “everyone else is doing it”. If your teen seriously wants a tattoo, you should talk to them about it and about what they want and where they want it. You should encourage them to wait until they are of legal age to get it and see if they still want it. In many cases, the urge to tat has passed.