Since the 90’s tattoos have become an increasingly popular trend. No longer reserved for sailors and bikers, tattoos have become more mainstream. At ERHS, it has become trendy for many seniors get tattoos upon the arrival of their 18th birthday. For many, tattoos are just too cool not to get. For others, the looming peer pressure is enough to succumb to the tattoo needle.
The most popular reason to get a tattoo is the cool factor. Like the majority, senior Quincy Macauley believes, “they’re cool.” However, some do not believe that coolness lasts. Senior Kurt Isaac-Elder says, “there’s a certain age where having a tattoo isn’t cool.” Some also think regret will eventually set in, like senior Anthony Galloway Jr., giving the analogy that no one wants a wrinkly flaming skull when they are 65 years old. Another compelling reason not to act on impulse when getting “tatted up” is to consider future occupations where having tattoos, especially visible ones, can become a problem.
Nevertheless, in some cases, tattoos are not just results of the peer pressure to be cool. For some, the most compelling reason to get a tattoo is as a way to signify independence from the reign of parents into adulthood. Many believe that a tattoo can indeed be a sign of independence. According to senior Marcus Riley, a meaningful tattoo “shows maturity and thought.” Those who disagree, like Senior Akin Morrison believe that “transition of age is something much deeper than getting a tattoo,” and that there are “more characteristics that define a person.”
“It’s a way to express yourself permanently,” says senior Andre Golson. Although Golson does not have a tattoo yet, he plans to get one as soon as possible -- which won’t be any time soon -- because Golson’s parents will not allow him to have a tattoo until he moves out. They believe that getting a tattoo is “befouling your body.”
Those students who do have tattoos have a wide variety to choose from. Some of the most popular tattoos are crosses, angels, stars, names, and memorials. Female tattoos tend to be on the hip, ankle, neck, back of shoulder, and lower back. Males often get tattoos on the chest, upper arm, and forearm. Other than the popular tattoos, many students choose to get a tattoo that has personal value to them. Senior Angel Martinez has a tattoo that symbolizes his love for baseball and his two countries on his upper arm. Senior Sarah Martin has an inspirational quote about her life. Senior Anderson Bryson says that his tattoo symbolizes his faith in God on his chest. Senior Evelyne Diadhiou has her middle name tattooed on the back of her neck in Chinese. Interestingly, tattoos seem to be a stronger expression of what Bryson calls the “first step into adulthood” in males than in females. For most students, however, their tattoos symbolize rights of passage as well as maturity.
Regardless of opinions for or against getting a tattoo, it seems like the trend of seniors getting tattoos is here to stay. So, a piece of advice to all those planning on getting tattoos: make sure to use a licensed tattoo artist with a clean shop. Popular and reputable places such as the Red Octopus in Prince Fredrick, Dragon Moon in Glen Burnie, or Blue Scarab in Waldorf are great. Avoid places that may not use the most sterile instruments such as basement tattoo parlors and tattoo parties. Careful consideration in choosing a venue to get a tattoo as well as the design are vital steps that should not be taken lightly, because tattoos last forever – yes, they actually outlive the human body. So choose wisely.