What students and staff have to say about tattoos

Elizabeth Cuevas and Tania Teliz

In a random survey of 100 students, more than half of Morton East students claim they do not have tattoos. 

According to The Fact Site “30 Astonishing Facts About Tattoos” by Michelle Gabriel, in 2012 women surpassed men by being more likely to get tattoos. In addition, women are also more likely to get their tattoos removed. 58% of women have at least one tattoo, and 45% of men do. Interestingly, 23% of people will regret getting a tattoo of a name. (Will that 23% influence Morton East students despite that love is in the air?) In a random survey of 100 Morton East students, 84 said they do not have tattoos. 

“I feel that tattoos are drawings on a different surface, not paper but skin. I personally do not like tattoos, but as an art form I think there is a merit to that form. (Skin) is just another surface to display the artwork of an artist. In other words, I don’t think artists are inclined to get a tattoo; I think it is more generational and socially acceptable to get tattoos. So, I think that a lot more people in general are getting tattoos. Therefore, I think when you are old enough to vote, you should also be able to get a tattoo,” visual arts teacher Teresa Cantero said.  

Others also agree with that tattoos can a form of art. 

“I definitely do think that tattoos are an art form. In fact, I know some tattoo artists. Several of my former students are all artists and they all have different styles. I do not believe that artists are more inclined to get a tattoo because it is more of a personality thing. If I had kids and I tell my students not to get one until they’re in their 20s, what happens with tattoos overtime is that they bleed. No matter how good they are when you first get them. The lines are going to blur as you age. So, if you get one at 16 by the time you are 30 it’s going to be blurry. As long as you don’t mind or want to get a touchup then that’s fine. But also, what happens is that your taste will change. So, if you think about what you would tattoo on your body in junior high is it still the thing you would want on your body today? That’s how you are going to feel when you are 20, when you are 30, and when you are 50,” visual arts teacher Lisa Dure said. 

Students and teachers have a similar yet different opinion when it comes to tattoos. 

“I think a tattoo is a form of art, how somebody express themselves. Not all tattoos need to have a meaning behind them, but my tattoo has a meaning and it’s something that I want to have permanently on my body because it’s very important to me. There is also a way to express yourself and your style with tattoos,” senior Deisy Ramos said. 

For some students, getting a tattoo is a big step and it can change them. 

“I like tattoos and I believe it that it is a way for people to express themselves privately or publicly. In other words, I got tattoos because I wanted to express myself in silence and be different from everyone else. Also, I thought it would look really nice on me and I wanted to kind of change my appearance because I had just turned 18. Therefore, I wanted to take the next step into my life,” senior Jason Chirino said. 

Some think that it is still not the right time to make a big decision like getting a tattoo. 

“No, I don’t have a tattoo. I don’t think that it’s the right time to get one. I feel like when I’m older and I think about it then I will get a tattoo. I do think money plays a role in getting tattoos. I guess you can say yes to social media having an influence to getting tattoos because you see influencers get tattoos,” sophomore Mia Perez said. 

Other students agree with not taking a big step just yet. 

“I do not have a tattoo, I like tattoos, but I wouldn’t get one right now. I think that money plays a role in whether people get tattoos. I don’t think that social media influences people to get tattoos because I feel like it’s a person’s own decision to get one,” sophomore Yaritza Garcia said. 

  While some students worry about not being at the right time in their lives yet to get a tattoo others worry more about what their parents might have to say about a tattoo. 

“No, I don’t have any tattoos. My mom doesn’t allow any tattoos. She says that they are related to gangs. Money plays a role if people get tattoos or not. I don’t think social media has an influence on getting tattoos because it’s my own decision,” sophomore Mixi Perez said. 

Some parents might agree on not letting their children get a tattoo. 

“No, I don’t have any tattoos. Because my mom doesn’t allow them, and I haven’t taught about them. I haven’t asked her about getting tattoos. I do think money is a factor whether people get tattoos. Honest opinion if Post Malone told me to get a tattoo I would get a tattoo,” junior Angel Galvez Osorio said.