Tattoos and Teenagers

I found the article "Tattoos and Teenagers very entertaining. The beginning of the article seemed pretty repetitive to me, and told me things I already know. When I started to think about it though I guess it would make sense for me to know a lot about tattoos already being a 20 year old in this day and age. I don't have a tattoo myself but my boyfriend is covered in them, my brother has two, and I have seriously considered getting one. 

I understand that there are many different reasons people get tattoos. For example, my boyfriend Dave has Japanese art on his arms solely for the reason that he likes and appreciates the style of art. In contrast, my brother Levi has a tribal tattoo on his chest from the Maui culture because he spent 2 years of his life in New Zealand. Levi wanted to remember his time there where and what he learned where Dave is tattooed for the art and appearance of his tattoos.

I read the end of the article to Dave and he as well as I agreed with the last sentence, "We may not be able to prevent our students from getting tattoos they may later regret, but we can help them recognize that tattoos carry multiple messages and that wearing one involves social responsibility." I see first hand how his tattoos are seen in society. Also, I have a shirt with tattoo sleeves on the arms. When I wear it I get some looks of surprise and disgust when people look at my arms. I am able to see and feel how some types of people react to tattoos. I think it is everyone's personal decision and people shouldn't be judged by that. Tattoos are like clothing, it is a form of expression. 

ATTATCHED: The first picture is Dave showing the camera all of his tattoos. (His tattoos on his chest are unfinished... he's in the process of getting it colored.) The second picture is of me wearing my tattoo shirt with fake sleeves.