Tattoos have been a part of society for centuries, but their place in modern society has been a constantly evolving issue.

From being associated with rebellious and criminal behavior to being a form of self-expression and art, tattoos have undergone a transformation in their significance. While tattoos have become more popular, with an estimated 20% of Americans having at least one tattoo, there are still stereotypes and prejudices associated with them.

In this article, we will explore the battle against stereotypes surrounding tattoos and society’s attitudes towards them.

The History of Tattoos

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years, with evidence of tattooing found in mummies from ancient Egypt and Oetzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old frozen mummy found in the Alps.

In Polynesian cultures, tattoos were seen as a rite of passage and a symbol of social status. In Japan, tattoos were associated with criminal behavior and were used as a form of punishment, but they also had a significant cultural significance as a form of body art.

However, in Western cultures, tattoos were initially associated with criminals and sailors.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, tattoos were often seen as a form of deviance, with people generally associating tattoos with prisoners, gang members, and carnival workers.

The Changing Attitudes Towards Tattoos

In the 1960s and 70s, tattoos began to gain popularity among counterculture movements. In the 80s and 90s, tattoos became more mainstream, with celebrities and athletes showcasing their ink.

This helped to shift the perception of tattoos as being associated with criminal behavior and deviance.

Today, tattoos have become even more mainstream, with people from all walks of life getting inked. A survey by the Harris Poll found that 47% of millennials had at least one tattoo.

However, despite their growing acceptance, tattoos are still viewed negatively by some.

Related Article Enduring the Stigma: Tattoos in Modern Society

The Stereotypes and Prejudices Surrounding Tattoos

Despite their growing popularity, some people still associate tattoos with deviant behavior, criminality, and unprofessionalism.

In the workplace, visible tattoos can still be a barrier to employment, with employers worried about the negative impressions they may create among customers or clients.

In some cases, tattoos can even be a safety concern, as some employers ban employees from having visible tattoos in order to avoid associating with criminal gangs.

However, many people with tattoos argue that their ink has no bearing on their ability to do their jobs and that their appearance should not be a factor in their employment prospects.

The Legal Battle for Tattoo Acceptance

While tattoos may still be viewed negatively by some, there have been legal battles in place to fight against this discrimination. In 2010, the U.S.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settled a case with the Red Robin restaurant chain over the treatment of a server with a tattoo. The EEOC determined that the restaurant’s dress code prohibiting visible tattoos was discriminatory and that the company could not have a blanket ban on tattoos as it would violate anti-discrimination laws.

Similarly, in 2012, the U.S. Marine Corps relaxed their rules on tattoos, allowing larger tattoos on the forearms, sleeves, and backs of legs as well as allowing soldiers to have full-sleeve tattoos.

The change came from recognizing that changing attitudes towards tattoos and allowing soldiers to express themselves while maintaining the military’s high standards.

Conclusion

Tattoos are a part of society and have been for centuries.

While they have undergone a transformation in their significance from being associated with criminal behavior to being seen as self-expression and art, there are still stereotypes and prejudices surrounding them. The legal battles fought against tattoo discrimination have been won, and the changing attitudes towards tattoos in the workplace are a reflection of the evolving social acceptance.

Tattoos are a form of self-expression that should not be used to make judgments about people’s character or ability. It’s time for society to accept tattoos and to leave the stereotypes behind.