How are tattoos regarded in Western culture?

Until the last century, in the west, tattoos have been a rite of passage amongst most groups that it was practiced in. More specifically, it was a religious rite of passage into adulthood amongst many, and from there, a means of expressing significant life experiences and social status.

What is the significance of tattoos in different cultures?

While we in America have a complicated history with them, in many cultures they are seen as a symbol of purity. They can be a rite of passage, ensuring societal acceptance. They may be the only means of being viewed as beautiful. They may also represent a religious ritual.

How are tattoos viewed in the United States?

Tattoos in American society As can be seen above, compared to people without tattoos, 40 percent of people find those with tattoos to be characteristically rebellious while only 16 percent of respondents find people with tattoos characteristically attractive.

Why did people in ancient cultures have tattoos?

Ethnographic and historical texts reveal that tattooing has been practiced by just about every human culture in historic times. The ancient Greeks used tattoos from the 5th century on to communicate among spies; later, the Romans marked criminals and slaves with tattoos.

What brought tattoos to the West?

A lot of people believe that tattoos got their start in Western culture as a result of sailors and soldiers who got their art done overseas, and say that the art form was reintroduced to European culture after sailors experienced it in the Polynesian islands.

When did tattoos become popular in the Western world?

1970s
Since the 1970s, tattoos have become a mainstream part of global and Western fashion, common among both sexes, to all economic classes, and to age groups from the later teen years to middle age.

When did tattoos become socially acceptable?

Tattoos were not very common or socially acceptable until the mid 20th century. Up until this time, they were reserved for a small population, mainly those in the entertainment industry. Fully tattooed people became a popular attraction in and of themselves.

Why are tattoos considered unprofessional?

In most cases, tattoos are considered unprofessional because some people don’t like them. Most of us make small assumptions based on people’s looks, let’s be honest, but some people take it too far and judge that a person is unprofessional just because they have ink on their body.

When did tattoos become popular in the West?

By the 1950s, tattooing had an established place in Western culture, but was generally viewed with distain by the higher reaches of society. Back alley and boardwalk tattoo parlors continued to do brisk business with sailors and soldiers.

Are tattoos a good indicator of a lower class background?

Tattoos are a good indicator of people who used to go out of their way to be trendy, but now are just pathetic. Particularly trashy on women. In the gay world, tattoos are not so much an indication of a lower class background as they are an indication of an insecure man who will do anything to win the approval of his set.

How do different cultures view tattoos?

What is truly incredible is how different cultures view tattoos around the world. While we in America have a complicated history with them, in many cultures they are seen as a symbol of purity. They can be a rite of passage, ensuring societal acceptance. They may be the only means of being viewed as beautiful.

What do you think about tattoos in general?

They’re vulgross. Tattoos are declasse. Like declining neighborhoods tagged with graffiti. Tattoos are a good indicator of people who used to go out of their way to be trendy, but now are just pathetic. Particularly trashy on women.

Do you respect the preferences of tattooed individuals?

Most respondents respected the preferences of tattooed individuals. A respondent stated, “They’re cool and all, just not for me.”