Wednesday, June 27, 2012

no just for bykers anymore



In the last two decades of the twentieth century, tattooing slowly
gained popularity. The old association of tattoos and degenerates
still existed, but more people wanted to get tattooed just to decorate
their bodies instead of for showing a sign of rebellion. The
start of custom tattoo shops also helped to bring more of a fineart
feeling to tattooing. Instead of just getting a random design
off the wall, many people wanted to have a design made only for
them. Slowly we are coming to terms with tattooing being more
of an art form than a crude craft.The idea of getting a tattoo as a souvenir is also becoming more
popular as the tourism industry expands. People have more money
and even more credit available than they did decades ago, which
allows for more travel and more souvenirs. Many people today
see getting a little tattoo as the equivalent to buying a new pair of
shoes. A tattoo is just another thing one can purchase for fun.
With the advent of tattoo suppliers, more people have been able to
break into tattooing as a profession. More shops have been opening,
making it easier for people to get tattoos. Much of the old
negative attitudes about tattooing are passing away with the older
generations. Younger people are more used to tattoos, because
they see them on their peers more often in public and especially
on television, the Internet, and movies.
Professional athletes seem to be covered in tattoos nowadays. It
used to be the stereotype that rock stars had tattoos. Now, sports
associations such as the NBA are full of heavily tattooed players.
Many boxers and Ultimate Fighters also sport tattoos in the ring.
The more people of stature are seen with tattoos, the more open
mainstream society becomes toward tattoos.Tattooing has long been a way to mark a significant point in a
person’s life. Many tribal cultures use tattooing as a ritual to
express the transformation of a child into an adult at the time of
puberty. The reaction of the individual during the tattooing process
will reveal his or her position in the tribe. If the adolescent
quits or complains during the tattooing, it can lead to a low social
position, especially if he is a chief’s son.
Tattooing in the Western world is a little different now. A tattoo
won’t necessarily determine your place in the village, but it will
show that you have become a legal adult. It may be a small celebration,
but the significance of coming of age is great.
As we shall see later in this chapter, joining a gang or some form
of club may require a tattoo to show the individual’s commitment

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