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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
HmmmmBop · 09/10/2016 09:45

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest and I haven't read TFT, however I've been on MN long enough to realise that there are people out there who get very worked up and judgemental about tattoos. Frankly I don't get it and I couldn't give a monkeys if someone judges me for what I do to my own body but if your concern is whether you will be judged by parents, MN tells me that you definitely will by some.

MsJamieFraser · 09/10/2016 09:45

I couldn't give toss, as a teacher I expect you to educate my child to the best of their ability, I couldn't give a hoot what your appearance was like.

ArgyMargy · 09/10/2016 09:52

I wouldn't mind. Given that thread title I just hope you're not an English teacher.

allegretto · 09/10/2016 09:53

I don't particularly like tattoos but I wouldn't mind a teacher having one at all.

Lweji · 09/10/2016 09:57

I wouldn't care and would hardly notice it, probably.

specialsubject · 09/10/2016 09:58

The rules are different for the kids - they cant smoke, have sex, drive or vote, all of which a teacher can. Irrelevant argument.

Nor can they have legal tattoos because they are children.

Up to you if you dont mind possible sniggering at the back of the class.

Middleoftheroad · 09/10/2016 09:59

I hate tattoos. I had mine done 20 odd years ago when it was not so fashionable. It's on the top of my arm and I have never been able to go sleeveless in the office.

I don't like seeing tattoos in a work environment. And, because I dislike and regret mine with a passion, I would always actively discourage my DS from ever getting tattoos, knowing that you have to live a lifetime with them.

However, I would not judge a teacher's ability if they are inked. Kindness, understanding and loving their job and the kids are what I care about.

miserablesod · 09/10/2016 10:00

I'm a social worker and i have 7 tattoos, one being a half sleeve and one on my other lower arm. When i go to meetings or service users houses i wear a blouse or cardigan to cover them up not because i am ashamed or been told to, i want to look professional and taken seriously. In the office i wear what i like and never been told to cover them.

Eolian · 09/10/2016 10:03

I think the argument about it making your child think they should be able to have tattoos is utterly ridiculous. Teachers are adults and are therefore allowed to do all sorts of things your child can't until they are old enough to be able to make those decisions for themselves. Plus if the child is even remotely the rebellious type, a teacher having a tattoo will probably make it seem like a deeply uncool thing to do anyway!

Glastonbury · 09/10/2016 10:04

I wouldn't like it. I think they look awful and don't understand why people have them.

Kr1stina · 09/10/2016 10:05

I think it's a risk because some parents and some employers will mind so it might restrict your career options.

But if getting a tattoo on your lower arm and expressing yourself / your style is important enough to you, then you won't mind any consequences I'm sure . You might feel it's more important to stand up for what you believe in etc

DeliciouslyHella · 09/10/2016 10:05

As a parent, I wouldn't give two hoots.

As a senior leader in a very easy going school, I wouldn't care either.

However, not everyone is like that. I'd think carefully about how it may impact on future choices. I know that's not correct and it shouldn't really matter - but in reality it probably would.

DeliciouslyHella · 09/10/2016 10:06

As a parent, I wouldn't give two hoots.

As a senior leader in a very easy going school, I wouldn't care either.

However, not everyone is like that. I'd think carefully about how it may impact on future choices. I know that's not correct and it shouldn't really matter - but in reality it probably would.

Thefishewife · 09/10/2016 10:10

Sorry but as a parent with 3 children no and I also don't think any decent school or private school would touch you

And I also think you chances of ever becoming a head would be 0

ao in short you can do it but you will be confined to shit schools or your current school and also it just looks a touch low class for a professional Job

Btw just asked dh who is a nurse manger and has said he's hired nurses before with visible tats and he has has times when the patients just wouldn't open the door to them because they saw the tat first and didn't even realise they were a nurse he's got a guy who was a army nurse so has lots of tats and it is a small issue

CoffeeAtLukes · 09/10/2016 10:10

There is a teacher at my dd's pretty strict Catholic school with a tattoo on her neck. I haven't heard any parents voice an opinion on it (and the do love voicing their opinions).

For me personally I couldn't care less. A teacher could have their entrie body covered in tattoos and I wouldn't care. It's about what kind of teacher you are not your personal style.

Thefishewife · 09/10/2016 10:12

Also I would be worried about how the students view you

The cool one who is a push over or you can get away with x in Mrs ...... Class

May nit be true but the perception may be different

ThisUsernameIsAvailable · 09/10/2016 10:12

One of my children's teachers has a star behind her ear, I like it and I like that she has it (if that makes sense)

I have tattoos but they are coverable so the teachers might not know I have them, I'm a governor in the nursery and they definitely know I have them because into to meetings in my gym gear, no ones ever mentioned them

fakenamefornow · 09/10/2016 10:13

I wouldn't care, in fact I probably wouldn't even notice.

All kinds of people have tattoos these days, 20% of the population I believe. I'm sure I saw a programme once about tattoos that said in the past it was only royalty who were allowed to have tattoos.

Thefishewife · 09/10/2016 10:17

Can ask those who insist that your appearance doesn't matter and it's only your ability people should be worried about

*would you go to a interview in flip flops and jeans because if you wouldn't then you know your talking horse shit and understand that appearance counts

And most people don't want to Employ someone who is extream

So loads of visible Tats or loads of visible pirceings my sister is a nurse and has 6 pirceings you can't see any of them

If you want to be extream then joing a profession that lends it's self to that I don't think teaching is one

NorbertDentressangle · 09/10/2016 10:18

It wouldn't bother me. I'm more concerned about their teaching ability.

At the DC's high school there are some teachers with visible tattoos but apparently there's one make teacher that has one on his forearm that's always covered (even when he has a short sleeves shirt on). I'm dying to know what it is!!

Probably a nekkid lady but it may say Fuck the Pigs for all I know ( which my autocorrect changed to Duck the Pugs Grin)

NataliaOsipova · 09/10/2016 10:24

On a practical level, you are just setting the bar a little bit higher for future promotion/employment possibilities. Why would you want to do that?

I wouldn't think it had any impact on your ability to teach my child at all and would never be worried about this, complain or make a comment to anyone. But I would silently judge you as a little naive and be annoyed if I had to then explain why tattoos are unwise to my child

Agree wholeheartedly with both of these. Of course it doesn't affect your ability to teach, which is the most important thing. But - in real life - impressions count, especially in such a "front facing" role (if I can put it like that). You'll just be making life harder for yourself.

BowieFan · 09/10/2016 10:25

I'm a teacher and have no problem with them. I don't have any but my DP does and so do several of my colleagues. Don't think any parents have complained.

Why are there people on here who are saying they wouldn't like teachers with them teaching their kids? Are you insane? Oh wait, you're probably in the camp of parents who think teachers should be on duty 24/7. Like the parent of a kid I teach who ran into me in Tesco and shamed me for buying a bottle of Vodka (on a Saturday, during half term!) saying that I "should think about how that looks to kids, you're supposed to set an example!" Errr.. I'm 39. It was a weekend.

BowieFan · 09/10/2016 10:31

Thefishewife

I'll tell that to my very good friend who has a very visible tattoo, who's head of a very prestigious private school!

Doesn't seem to have held her back.

It's telling that you think people with tattoos are "low class" (as if that's a bad thing!), it just makes you sound like a snob. I would rather my kids associate with people with tattoos than someone who is as nasty as you judging people on their appearance.

witsender · 09/10/2016 10:34

Wouldn't even notice tbh. Unless it was awesome, then I might admire it.

Oblomov16 · 09/10/2016 10:35

I like tattoos. But, I don't think they are professional and I don't like them to be on show on top professionals. You want to be a Head? Maybe you should consider this.

Most tattoos I see are badly done. Many of them look awful. And that's coming from me, who generally likes them. If you are going to have to have it done properly then you should go to someone who is really good, like Darren stares in Portsmouth. Don't go to have one done by someone shoddy.

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