The Big Ink Issue
Tattoo's. Many have them, many don't. We can't deny that in today's society they are absolutely everywhere. They divide opinion, act as a talking point or can, at times affect the life choices that you end up making. Whether you are a fan of them, despise them or remain completely indifferent, where is the line between sharing your opinions and people believing that they have the right to police the body of someone else?
Last week someone on Facebook reposted a link to an article by Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine in which she lambasted members of the England World Cup squad for being tattooed. What followed was essentially a rather lengthy old rant about this 'ghastly modern mania' for tattooing in which class was brought into question alongside intelligence and she went as far to state that she feels that tattoos are, and I quote,'designs of such ugliness they seem almost like a form of self harm'.
The number of issues that I could raise about this article could fill your average novel, but i'm not about to follow in Sarah's journalistic footsteps and go on a narrow minded ranting spree, I just wanted the opportunity to raise some questions of my own. Everyone, and I mean, everyone, is entitled to their own opinion. Yep, dare I say it, even the likes of a certain Miss Hopkins- although the less said about her, the better. Like I said, tattoo's will always divide opinion, they aren't for everyone. There is, however, a difference between tattoo's just not being your cup of tea and going out of your way to express your utter disgust at something that is in effect someone else's life choice.
Now, i'm no stranger to defending my life choices and I knew from the moment that I started thinking up my first designs that they aren't and won't be everyones cup of tea. I knew, when I stepped into the tattoo studio at 18, that years down the line my tattoo's would probably be dismissed by virtual strangers as the actions of a rebellious teenager and be classed by most people as a 'silly thing Sophie decided to do once'. What people don't take into account when they decide to express their often strong opinions, is that every single one of my tattoo's have been incredibly thought out- all bar some spur of the moment stars that I had tattooed on my hips at 18 which I have since had covered up with the most beautiful, perfect swallows, but thats a story for another day. Every single one means a huge amount to me. In fact, I tend to get tattooed alongside my dad, who is funnily enough, even more of an ink addict than me.
To me, getting tattoo's gives me that little bit of ownership over a body that for the large majority of my life due to illness, i've had no control over. Between various treatments, surgeries and hospital visits, my body has never truly been entirely mine. Aside from these supposedly 'hideous' inkings, I have a multitude of scars that I never asked for, nor wanted. Of course, i've grown to live with them and they've come to be symbols of what i've come through, but I never wanted them. My ethos has always been that if I can live with visible scars that for a long time I went out of my way to disguise, if I was to end up regretting any of my tattoo's, i'm sure that on balance, a tattoo is easier to live with, as unlike my scars, there are no traumatic memories attached.
I appreciate, that despite my personal reasonings, people are still going to hate them. That's absolutely fine. I appreciate that tattoo's, no matter how common they may become, will always be a little bit of a Marmite issue. What I will never appreciate though, is the fact that people feel that by bluntly informing me that my tattoos are ugly, I will have a sudden revelation, realise that yes, in fact it was all a huge mistake and agree with them wholeheartedly. Tattoo's are a personal choice. Just as having a child is a personal choice. Ask yourself honestly how many people would go up to a relative stranger and inform them that their baby is ugly, or how many people would go up to someone and make blunt comments about someones appearance. Not many, right? There's plenty of styles of tattoos that I don't like, difference is, I'm not about to go up to those people and inform them of my feelings outright. Where is the line between sharing your opinions and trying to police someone else's skin, because seemingly it's a pretty precarious line.
Put quite simply, Sarah, and anyone else who feels that their opinions on the odd inking absolutely must be shared, nobody is asking you to get a tattoo. You don't like them? That's fine. Don't get one. Revel in the glory of having perfectly blank natural skin, just don't judge me if I revel in my inked one...
Standing up and applauding you for this post. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much lovely! It has gone down far better than I expected it to!
Deletexx
I love your reference to "The Illustrated Mum", I don't think I quite understood the title when I first read it as a child, haha. My dad's arms and back are covered in tattoos, they have been my whole life so they never bothered me at all, I was totally used to (and loved) them. I always knew when I turned 18 I would get one too. I decided to get a Harry Potter one for my 18th & a Beauty and The Beast one for my 19th.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, brilliant writing.
In Katie's Corner
I think growing up with parents that are completely ok with the prospect of tattooing definitely gives you a much more open minded stance on things! Your tattoos sound amazing!
Deletexx
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I try so hard not to let negative comments get to me but it's so hard when people are so determined to put you down for something that is completely your own choice. It definitely doesn't help when theres so much stuff like Sarah Vines article floating about the media stratosphere, as much as people don't think their opinions are media influenced, the vast majority are! Thanks again for reading and i'm so glad you enjoyed the post =)
ReplyDeletexx