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Tattooed Parents

54 replies

Pandora2387 · 06/09/2015 16:25

So, I saw a post today on FB, it was an article on Tattooed Parents, I read it and I thought it was a load of rubbish personally. I don't get the stigma about tattooed parents and how they can set a bad example for their kids just by having them and I was wondering what you lovely people think on this subject. I have tattoos myself and if, when my daughter was old enough to have them, she wanted tattoo's I would fully support her in it. Is this right or is it what some people would call 'Bad Parenting'?

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Mindexplode · 06/09/2015 16:27

I want to get a tattoo, my DS said no way, he's 6 and says mummy not allowed.

LettuceLaughton · 06/09/2015 16:28

Link?

AuntieStella · 06/09/2015 16:30

If you're in UK, she'll have to be 18 to be tattooed, so your support (or absence of it) won't be hugely relevant.

I don't think I've ever come across anyone relating body adornment choices to actual skills (whether parenting, workplace, domesticity).

Though I would hope that people do have the commonsense to cover up sweary/scary/X-rated tatts when around children (for same reasons as I would hope they don't wear T-shirts like that round DC either).

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usual · 06/09/2015 16:30

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Snowfilledsky · 06/09/2015 16:34

What usual said.

LettuceLaughton · 06/09/2015 16:34

No way would I be letting a 6 year old dictate what I do with my own body. Bloody hell.

My DC were 4 and 6 when I started getting tattooed, they love the work I have. They also understand that it's truly permanent, often very painful to have done and are more than capable of distinguishing good tattoos from bad. Not bad things to know Hmm

Frequency · 06/09/2015 16:36

That group has been doing the rounds of FB for years.

I think it's a bad attempt at satire, their claims are so wholly unbelievable there is no way anyone but the dimmest of folk could believe an ounce of it.

usual, allegedly tattoo ink leaks into your bloodstream and lowers your IQ, increases your levels of aggression and hinders your ability to parent properly.

They link regularly to questionable articles, evidencing this phenomena, all written by the same "doctor" who I suspect does not exist. Various Americans (sorry american posters but it's true) then go on and 'like' the articles and add their support in the comments.

I'd just ignore it OP. It's a very bad example of trolling at best.

HermioneWeasley · 06/09/2015 16:36

Im not sure how having tattoos could make you a good or bad parent? Unless you have the word "cunt" tattooed on your face or something?

TiredOfPeople · 07/09/2015 06:58

So sick of the judgemental brigade.

NotCitrus · 07/09/2015 07:12

There's certainly still people who think tattoos/piercings/dyed hair = irresponsible or immature parents. Or even simply that a disrespect for convention is a bad thing to demonstrate to a child.

Lots of my friends and my lodger have tattoos, which may have encouraged my kids to draw on themselves with felt tip. On the other hand, kids I know in houses without tattooed role models ended up drawing on the walls instead...

Racheyg · 07/09/2015 09:10

Me and my oh have tattoos and this coming Saturday I am getting huge tattoo on my arm. Op I would ignore all that rubbish just because people have tattoos doesn't make them a bad parent unless it's a tear drop on the face then I might question their parenting skills Grin

hookedonamoonagedaydream · 07/09/2015 13:37

If you're in UK, she'll have to be 18 to be tattooed, so your support (or absence of it) won't be hugely relevant. I disagree actually, I am 40 and would love a tattoo, one of the reasons that I don't is because I don't have the energy to deal with my parents being upset by it (they would be, triple ear piecing and my wearing a bikini post 4 DCs sends DM into a spin).

BathshebaDarkstone · 07/09/2015 13:41

I have 2 tattoos, I'd have more but DH would go off me. My grown up DC don't have tattoos and my younger 2 are put off by the pain, but they love mine. I can't see how getting tattoos is bad parenting. Hmm

ThereGoesaTenner · 07/09/2015 18:24

I have a tattoo and although no one has ever commented on it in a bad way, I still feel like I have to cover it when doing kiddy things with my son sometimes. It's just the age old stigma attached to it that I'm aware of. It's just a picture on your skin, it doesn't impair your ability to do anything, but I can see how offensive things like swear words or nudity tattoos would concern people around kids. Why would you get something like that in the first place anyway?
People are just naive. Some people see it as destroying your body, "you were born perfect, you don't need a tattoo". I don't think it's necessarily the tattoo (depending on what it is) that offends people, it's the stereotype that people with tattoos are violent, mean, worship the devil etc. It's pretty outdated considering tattoos have become so much more mainstream now.

I saw a post on FB that said something along the lines of "The nicest people I have met have tattoos. The most judgemental people I have met go to church on Sundays". It's generally accurate.

its1999right · 08/09/2015 13:16

Gosh, I've never given it a second thought! I have two tattoos (want more) and when my 5yo asked about them (in relation to her having temporary tatts at a school fair) I just said that mine don't wash off like hers would. She didn't bat an eyelid! I don't think my kids even notice them.

Without wanting to overthink this, I also believe it ties into a very important message about having ownership over your own body. As an adult, and as long as you are not harming anyone, it is up to you what you do with your body. Not your parents. Not your partner. Not your children. Not society. You. I think that's a decent message for kids to receive (whether explicitly or not).

I do think the FB page is a wind-up btw...

Original poster
Pandora2387 · 08/09/2015 15:53

blog.tattoodo.com/2015/04/things-tattooed-parents-sick-hearing/

For those of you asking for the link to where I read the article

OP posts:
DriverSurpriseMe · 08/09/2015 15:58

It's sad how people are still so judgemental about tattoos. I was reading an article about tattoos in The Guardian yesterday, and the levels of vitriol in the comments actually shocked me.

Original poster
Pandora2387 · 08/09/2015 16:01

I have never covered my tattooes when I'm doing kiddy stuff, the way I see it, they are a part of me and my personality so why should I have to hide them. and yes hooked, I know exactly what you mean, my DM went mad when I got my first tattoo and she didnt even like the fact that I stretched my ears, but eventually she came round to the idea that it was my body and I was gonna do what I wanted with it. I have known a lot of people with tattooes and still do now, and I am shocked to say that some of them have actually been asked when they got out of prison, even though none of them have ever had so much as a parking ticket...and I can relate to some of the things that are mentioned in the article I posted above.

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Original poster
Pandora2387 · 08/09/2015 16:04

It is shocking Driver, I mean we are in 2015...you would think people would move on from this by now instead of being stuck in the past...personally I love tattooes and I will eventually get more done, but right now its not financially affordable for us, and I have to say I have found that most people I have met that have tattooes, most of them are bikers, but they have more manners and common courtesy than the average joe I usually meet.

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DriverSurpriseMe · 08/09/2015 16:04

This is the article btw:

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/07/tattoos-skin-dinosaur

I'm seriously considering a tattoo and I'm a fairly straight laced mother of two. I'd hate for people to think badly of me just because I have a (beautiful and well-executed) tattoo.

GummyBunting · 08/09/2015 16:07

My mum has two tattoos and it had no effect on me what so ever. I don't have any, probably won't get any, so it wasn't a big influence

Aqualady · 08/09/2015 16:10

Does having a tattoo make you a bad parent? No. I've got a few which are easily hidden. Does having a visable tattoos close doors for you? Yes. Do they look rank on anybody over 60? Yes.

ThursdayLastWeek · 08/09/2015 16:11

Anyone who teaches their children to judge people on such a flimsy premise will be a much much worse parent than one with tattoos.

jorahmormont · 08/09/2015 16:13

DD loves my tattoos Grin she sits there and traces her finger over them for ages :)

Original poster
Pandora2387 · 08/09/2015 19:52

my DD does the same jora and she pats the fairy on my arm :D

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