Tattoos and older teenagers

[foreverondiet]

I don't want start a bun fight just interested really - am I being unreasonable to think that 18-21 years olds should not be allowed to get tattoos in very visible places? My friends dd is 19 and in last year or so has got over 10 tattoos. The first few where fairly well hidden.... But more recently ones on neck ankles forearms, hands. It's now making her employment options very limited. She did a course in public service with a view to being a policewoman - I said but don't you realise that these visible tattoos are going to make that unrealistic - she said yeah but I was a bit drunk and my friends egged me on and if seemed like a good idea at the time. She is now looking for any job but many options are now difficult.

I made dafter decisions than having a tattoo when I was 18.
I got engaged, a mortgage at 19 and married at 20.
Now that was all very daft.
But I was an adult and was free to make my own decisions.

So an 18 year can join the army, die or be maimed for his country, but cannot have a visible tattoo.
I don't think that will work.

I don't have views on tattoos particularly other than not wise to have ones that aren't particularly professional looking in very visible places - IF you don't yet have a career/ job so you don't know the implications...

My friend is totally devastated - she is a single mum who had v hard time bringing up her dd and her difficulties in finding a job are very difficult.

Bloody prejudice because of looks! Tattoos should not ruin job prospects. They still do though and it is so sad that unless you look like everyone else you may be judged.

We have a childminder in my village whose legs are completely covered on tattoos and she has loads of business. Great example of judgey pants being pulled off and thrown in the bin

I've got 6 tattoos, 3 visible, 3 not. Had my first 3 at sixteen in the space of 2 weeks [impulsive emoticon]

I have always worked in customer service, uniform etc. and my tats have never been a problem, I've been promoted to general manager since!

Not passing interviews/keeping a job is all about attitude/knowledge rather than tattoos in my experience.

tattoos are legal at 18. If there are problems later - well, tough really. It's called consequences and that is life.

The girl sounds a bit sheep-like anyway ('my friends egged me on') so will want to conform. It's the old 'I want to be different so I'll have exactly the same as everyone else'. I don't think people judge tattoos per se, just silly ones.

clearly there is enough money for tattoos so things can't be that tough. Is it possible that there is some other reason why she can't get a job?

Re: money - she said they were free /cheap (although she lies a lot) - and some aren't very good - so I suspect it would someone not licensed / not properly qualified. Yes it shouldn't affect how well you do a job but with no work experience and also lots piercings including tongue well it doesn't hell at interview...

So what? She is an adult and she will bear the good and bad consequences of her own actions. You won't. In my experience, people are very quick to tell you "In told you so" when something goes wrong, but very slow to tell you "well done" when you reap the consequences of some good choice. I bet you won't be there to congratulate her with her successes. So stop being judgemental and telling her what she should or shouldn't do. Does she come to your house and tell you what you should be doing with your life?

Meh, I'm 34 & am still known on the odd occasion to make stupid decisions so YABVU.

Also the police do not discriminate on the grounds of having visible tattoos as has already been pointed out.

I'd love to make some bad decisions.

Older people do really stupid things too.

I have seen a few police officers with tattoos I fail to see what your going on about a 21 yr old is an adult a grown up yes theycan make daft decisions but when do you think we should start treating young people like adults then , crikey 21 yr olds can have babies get married blah blah

*I want to know who tatoo's them the day they turn 16. They come into school with them. >grim

dear op - i agree in principle as the 18-21 yr olds i know are fuckwits

I know loads of 18 to 21 yr olds and they are not fuckwits