Tattoo Prejudice – Part 1

prej·u·dice –noun 
Judging people based on their appearance is a useful sociological tool, so much so that most of the process is conducted subconsciously and automatically. It can be an accurate character-assessment short cut as people’s appearance choices are often reflections of their internally held beliefs and motivation. From hair style to clothing, the car you drive and the colour of your lipstick; your choices say a lot about you.

​Errors do occur however, when the interpretation of cues is affected by social or historical factors that are no longer relevant. (For instance, the traditional skinhead style of dress is rarely affiliated with racist beliefs in today’s scene.) The rapid rise in tattoo popularity observed over the last two decades has diluted the historical stereotype beyond recognition and a new tattoo culture has emerged. Unfortunately, many people’s viewpoints and opinions have failed to keep pace with the changes we have seen and prejudices are still commonplace. ​

Life magazine: estimated in 1936 that 10 million Americans (approximately 6% of the population) had at least one tattoo.
Harris Poll: A survey conducted in 2003, nearly tripled those numbers and estimates that 16% of Americans now had one or more tattoos.
National Geographic News: stated in April 2000 that 15% of Americans were tattooed (Approximately 40 million people.)
Esquire Magazine: estimated in March 2002 that 1 in 8 Americans was tattooed.

The Rise of the tattoo

The astonishingly rapid rise in popularity has undoubtedly led to some progress and social acceptance. Media coverage of tattooed celebrities and sports personalities has increased to the point where even tattoos and tattooers themselves are enjoying primetime television exposure. It seems that tattoos have become part of fashionable mainstream culture whether we like it or not. Whilst some of us may lament the daring and rebellious exclusivity we previously relished, perhaps we should be thankful too, as familiarity can help to break down the associated stigmas. 

But despite a meteoric rise in popularity, many still view tattoos and tattooed people with disdain and ink fans frequently face prejudices that affect their work, social life and relationships. The people I spoke with whilst researching this article exhibited a range of opinions spanning a wide spectrum. I was interested to find out if the ones who expressed a prejudice could substantiate their position with reasoning or fact. Whilst some respondents hinted towards the historical criminal and working class stereotypes, most could not offer any basis for their opinion. When pressed, the common response would be that they had been influenced by their parents, peers or by society’s opinion as a whole. Most also conceded that they realised their views were not wholly accurate, but admitted that they continued to hold them anyway. 

Some tattoo STATISTICS

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: A 2006 a study done found that 24% of Americans between 18 and 50 are tattooed; that's almost one in four. And the survey showed that about 36% of Americans age 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo.
Paw Research Centre: according to a 2006 survey, 36% of those ages 18 to 25, and 40% of those ages 26 to 40 have at least one tattoo. 

Not only are tattoos becoming ever more popular but also they are transcending their traditional working class roots. The osmosis of ink into the middle and upper classes is on the rise and every artist I spoke with said that their studio caters for people from all socio-economic and demographic groups. 

Indeed most considered this fact to be unremarkable and were puzzled that it could be thought noteworthy nowadays. Theresa Gordon-Wade works out of Epona Tattoo in Derby. “It’s gotten to the point where I wouldn’t be surprised if Barak Obama came in for some work!” she laughs. “We get all kinds of folk in here from every kind of background. If you’re trying to find a pattern or a pigeon hole then you’re wasting your time.” ​ ​

Facinating fact

Fascinating fact:
Research conducted by a Canadian Professor of Mass Communication at a popular tattoo studio in Toronto found that 80% of clients were upper/middle class white suburban females.
Source: Toronto Star. Canada. 1997.