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Original poster

To get a tattoo that's very visible as a teacher?

366 replies

LifeLong13 · 08/10/2016 23:35

I've been teaching for over a decade. I have several tattoos and only one is visible and it's on my foot.

I'm debating a tattoo of a lotus flower on my lower arm.

As a parent how would you feel if your child's teacher was tattooed? If you employ teachers how would you feel?

OP posts:
larrygrylls · 09/10/2016 18:48

The point is, in how many professions do you see tattoos? Also how can you enforce a school uniform policy if you are covered in tattoos or piercings?

Regardless of whether it is prejudice or not, why risk damaging a career? I wonder how many heads or deputy heads sport visible tattoos.

PoppyBirdOnAWire · 09/10/2016 18:52

Tattoos are just awful - all of them,both hidden and exposed. I would not be impressed if I were to catch sight of it.

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/10/2016 18:58

God poppy

Sure a tattoo would be the last thing on your mind should a paramedic have one....

There's nothing in the ink that turns people into monsters you know..

Sirzy · 09/10/2016 19:03

I don't see how a tattoo will impact someone's ability to do their job.

Just because you don't like tattoos doesn't mean others shouldn't have them if they choose, I wouldn't get a very visible tattoo myself but that's my choice doesn't mean those who do are wrong. It's quite sad that in this day and age we still judge people so much on various aspects of appearance.

Nataleejah · 09/10/2016 19:42

I'm on a fence with tattoos. There are nice tattoos to look at, but there are ones which are so lame just like having "i'm a twat" on your forehead. But thats just my opinion

acasualobserver · 09/10/2016 19:54

Taytocrisps I think you're being very harsh. I would say that gentleman has a certain headmasterly bearing.

Blueemeraldagain · 09/10/2016 19:56

I work in an SEMH school so I teach similar students to those in a PRU. Lots of our TAs and teachers have tattoos that are partly or wholly visible. No one gives two hoots. As long as it is not offensive you'll be fine.
The SEMH section of education is crying out for qualified staff so I don't think you would ever be rejected at interview for a new position based on something like a tattoo.

Blueemeraldagain · 09/10/2016 19:59

how can you enforce a school uniform policy if you are covered in tattoos or piercings?

The same way I enforce the fact that I can drive to work, wear my own clothes, sit in the staff room, drink coffee at break, put students in detention or any other of the roughly 1 million things I can do at school that my students can't.

I'm an adult. No, I don't always have to abide by exactly the same rules as you. More young people could do with hearing that.

dustarr73 · 09/10/2016 20:00

No it wouldnt bother me.Live and let live

larrygrylls · 09/10/2016 20:06

Blue,

Of course adults have privileges which go with their responsibilities. However, I would love to know how you explain the rationale behind a uniform policy. Personally I feel that a teacher should lead by example. That does not mean identical but respectful of general principles.

So, if you say kids need to be smart to create a good learning environment then so should the teachers.

larrygrylls · 09/10/2016 20:10

Jobs have dress codes. Teachers should be valued as professionals. Until the day we are all so relaxed that this ceases to be the case, I don't think that visible tattoos are appropriate.

Nataleejah · 09/10/2016 20:10

Idea of school uniform is shit really, but thats a different subject. As for tattoos -- they don't do them on underage children, that's against the law, so there isn't anything else to explain.

Cubtrouble · 09/10/2016 20:11

I wouldn't like it. Kids are impressionable, i think they look unclean and no if I were your employer I'd ask for tattoos to be covered.

And why? Why a lotus flower? Use your imagination??

I realise I'm judgy.

WyfOfBathe · 09/10/2016 20:12

As a parent, I wouldn't mind if DD's teacher had one. As a teacher, I wouldn't mind if my colleague had one. My headteacher, however, I'm not sure that she'd love it.

But then a PRU is probably a very different environment to a mainstream secondary/vi form in a "naice" area.

larrygrylls · 09/10/2016 20:16

Do all of you who are so relaxed about tattoos believe in any dress code for teachers? Or any profession for that matter.

Realistically we could probably all work just as well in our dressing gowns!

SpeckledyBanana · 09/10/2016 20:17

I don't think I'd mind, really.

Mysecretgarden · 09/10/2016 20:19

I think you can have a tattoo and still look professional in business wear.
And tattoo does not mean unkept, it is quite a cliche.
For me it is more important to follow the stated dress code. Tattoos have nothing to do with it.
They are not a marker of someone's worth.

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/10/2016 20:21

I don't care what people wear tbh.

A song as they are decent people and are clean.

Given most of us are trying to teach our children not to judge on appearances I don't think it sets a good example to be turning your nose up Over someone's. Tattoo

Nataleejah · 09/10/2016 20:23

Do all of you who are so relaxed about tattoos believe in any dress code for teachers? Or any profession for that matter.

As long as its not clubwear/beachwear/nightwear, i don't see why a teacher should wear suits, many other professions too.

Bobochic · 09/10/2016 20:23

Not sure dressing gowns would give teachers the air of gravitas that is so useful to command respect. A bit like tattoos, really - they undermine the aura of good judgement and authority that it is helpful for teachers to cultivate.

Blueemeraldagain · 09/10/2016 20:23

I completly agree. Respectful of General principles. I consider tattoos can be part of an adult's smart appearance (not always of course) but not a student's. And there's always the fact that tattoos are illegal under 18.

In reality, working where I do we do very occasionally have students (15-16years old) turn up with (illegal) tattoos. There's not much you can do about it at that stage and our school is the last chance saloon for our kids so we just insist they are covered up.

user1471493472 · 09/10/2016 20:24

Haven't rtft but I wouldn't if you're a woman because a colleague of mine was on a panel and the head rejected a perfectly good candidate because she had the faintest tattoo visible from her sleeve. This is a school in a rough area too. Some of the male teachers have visible tats at the swimming sports but apparently that's OK - they don't get asked to cover up. Sexist but there you go.

Bobochic · 09/10/2016 20:25

I don't expect teachers to wear suits - they aren't particularly appropriate for schools, and lots of professions have abandoned them.

Mysecretgarden · 09/10/2016 20:27

I am really shocked that so many associate tattoos with poor judgement.
I personally think it is more a class divider issue

Nataleejah · 09/10/2016 20:30

I am really shocked that so many associate tattoos with poor judgement.
If its a horrible tattoo, hard to take that person seriously.

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