What Are Some Of The Pros And Cons of Getting Tattooed ?
The upside of having a tattoo applied to your body is that it can draw attention to you and elicit questions from other people. There are many people among us who enjoy contact with others and this is one means to encourage communication. Another benefit is that tattoos provide for a certain kind of “belonging” to others who may share certain beliefs and values. Tattoos are therefore a means of consolidating similarities or shared interests. It’s a good way to endow a group with shared meaning.
For many, the tattoo design can symbolize a thought about themselves and their strengths. We use tattoos to communicate with ourselves and with the world around us.
The downside to having tattoo designs applied, is that the science does not allow for an easy, later removal. Once you have it, you are stuck with it. The cost to have it removed is prohibitive for most. Also, as we age, we tend to grow away from the groups we associated with in our youth. At 50, we may find the tattoo an embarrassment. Finally, tattoos can and do cause infection for many people. The application of tattoos can also transmit bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis and AIDS.