RESEARCH

Tattoos are intentional scars. It is a permanent pigmentation of the skin coming about from the presentation of exogenous substances (Pesapane et al. 2014).

There are many different opinions on the origin of the tattoo culture. But what is certain is that it existed thousands of years ago (CHIU et al. 2014; Pesapane et al. 2014). Therefore, the tattoo as a human activity has a long life in human history.

The connotation of tattoo varies greatly from time to time. It was once a symbol of supernatural power and was once a way of punishing criminals. In modern society, the tattoo has become one of the ways to show one's individuality (CHIU et al. 2014).

The number of tattooed people has increased in recent years, and studies are showing that about 20% of people have one or more tattoos. Meanwhile, the prejudice against tattooed people has not diminished (Dickson et al. 2014). Some people associate tattoos with bad behavior. ‘It is still believed that tattooed people are risk takers, promiscuous, heavy drinkers, and partake in the use of illegal drugs (Ramion, p. 2).’ Besides, due to the stereotype of tattoos, people with tattoos are under more pressure in the workplace (Martin & Cairns 2015).

Unfortunately, the acceptance of tattoos in China may be lower than in western society. The modification of body is contrary to traditional Chinese beliefs. There is an old saying, ‘our body, skin and hair is a heritage from our parents which should not be damaged.’ And in ancient China, tattooing had long been a form of punishment for prisoners, a symbol of shame (CHIU et al. 2014). Research has shown that Chinese people are more conservative about tattoos (CHIU et al. 2014). Therefore, for young Chinese who want to get tattoos, the social pressures they face may be even higher.

However, multiple studies have demonstrated that there is no significant difference between tattooed and non-tattooed people (Ramion). Moreover, tattooists are not as aggressive and rebellious as some people think (Swami et al. 2015). In fact, tattoos are just one of many ways to express oneself, just like one’s hairstyle, clothes, and makeup.

There is a tangible story behind every tattoo. It might be touching, funny, exciting or ridiculous. Behind every story, there is a tangible person. We could experience their happiness, tears, confusion, and stress through these stories. The tattooist is made up of all kinds of people, just like how non-tattooed people is made up, and just like how the world is made up.

Audience:

Primary audience:

People who are interested in tattoos and not dare to get one because of social pressure, mainly young Chinese, but not limited to them.

Secondary audience:

People who have stereotypes about tattooists.

We do not encourage people to get a tattoo, and we do not judge right or wrong, we just write and record what we have observed. For the former audience, we are your spiritual supporter; for the latter audience, we could give you a different perspective.

Reference

CHIU, SP, TU, JC, HSU, CY & CHUANG, LW 2014, ‘Analysis of Differences in Lifestyle and Tattoo Culture Acceptance Between Taiwan and China’, International Journal of Affective Engineering, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 115-125, viewed 11 April 2018, <https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ijae/13/2/13_115/_article>.

Dickson, L, Dukes, R, Smith, H & Strapko, N 2014, ‘Stigma of ink: Tattoo attitudes among college students’, The Social Science Journal, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 268-276, viewed 11 April 2018, <https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0362331914000081#!>.

Martin, CR & Cairns, SL 2015, ‘Why Would You Get THAT Done?! Stigma Experiences of Women with Piercings and Tattoos Attending Postsecondary Schools’, Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, vol. 49, no. 2, pp. 139-162, viewed 11 April 2018, <http://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/cjc/index.php/rcc/article/view/2681/Why%20Would%20You%20Get%20THAT%20Done%3F%21%20Stigma%20Experiences%20of%20Women%20with%20Piercings%20and%20Tattoos%20Attending%20Postsecondary%20School>.

Pesapane, F, Nazzaro, G, Gianotti, R & Coggi, A 2014, ‘A Short History of Tattoo’, JAMA Dermatol, vol. 150, no. 2, p. 145, viewed 11 April 2018, <https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/1829611?redirect=true>.

Ramion, S, ‘Tattoos: The Road to Acceptance in Western Society’, Honors Thesis, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, viewed 11 April 2018, <http://www.indstate.edu/sites/default/files/media/Documents/PDF/honors-thesis-SavannahRamion.pdf>.

Swami, V, Gaughan, H, Tran, US, Kuhlmann, T, Stieger, S & Voracek, M 2015, ‘Are tattooed adults really more aggressive and rebellious than those without tattoos?’, Body Image, vol. 15, pp. 149-152, viewed 11 April 2018, <https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/science/article/pii/S174014451500100X>.