Tattoo for male primary School teacher.

[TheRobsit]

Hi,

I am starting a BA in September for Primary Education and am currently in school and was thinking of getting a cross tattoo on my left lower forearm. I already have a tattoo on my left shoulder but obviously that one isn't visible.

I've been thinking about getting this one for a while mainly because I like the look of it and yes I am christian and also my Gran died a few months ago which kind of solidified my thoughts on getting it.

Just wondering what people thought? Do you think its appropriate? It is a small tattoo (maximum 5cm by 3cm) on the inner forearm.

Do you think people would have a proplem with it etc?

(Sorry for all these questions all at once but it is permanent so I want to make sure I make the right choice and dont spoil my career prospects).

[Astelia]

PS I am writing that as a teacher not a student!

[Astelia]

Same opinion as Tigger here.

My school has a strict dress code (I don't know why they don't just give us a uniform and be done with it TBH), it includes no visible tattoos.

[jennybeadle]

Sorry, I meant non-denominational, not secular, but secular was quicker to type.

[JenaiMorris]

Like others I couldn't give a stuff about a teacher having tattoos but I would be a bit about a cross.

[TiggerWearsATriteSmile]

Don't do it.

Put it somewhere you can hide it if you must get it.

[TroublesomeEx]

My tattoo is somewhere that can't be seen by the children. It does mean I have to be careful and can't wear certain clothes.

My tattoo is completely inoffensive, but I don't think it's appropriate to have it on show at school. I have facial piercings too but I remove/have removed them for school.

[libelulle]

Displaying a cross doesn't make you a religious freak per se, but a large tattoo of one on your arm kind of suggests a certain, erm, form of attachment to your religion. I didn't say I'd rush in and demand they be sacked, but I'd certainly be wary.

As for judging by appearances, DSM, well, let's for the sake of argument assume that the OP wanted a tattoo of a cross on his cheek, and another on his forehead. If you claim you wouldn't judge such a person by their appearance - well, I don't believe you. Though you don't have to be so extreme really, we all make judgements (both positive and negative) based on appearances all the time, and if you think you don't, you are deluded in a minority of one.

[seeker]

"How awful that so many of you ate teaching your children to judge by appearances. Bloody disgusting IMO."

What a deeply,deeply stupid thing to say.

[Muminwestlondon]

I am not teaching to "judge by appearance" as DSM claims. My children see people wearing headscarves, turbans and skullcaps and don't think anything of it. We live in an inner city and that is normal. If someone wants to dangle a cross or Star of David around their neck that is up to then. By the way DH has a (male) colleague who wears a very large wooden cross and he was immediately wary because he thought it indicated that the guy was trying to evangelicise everyone - but once he got to know him it seems he just likes wearing it and is a lovely person. I think the point is that some expressions of religious affiliation are seen as "normal" and some come across as if the bearer has something to prove.

OP asked whether having a cross tattooed on their forearm was appropriate for a primary school teacher. While I don't particularly care what body art teachers chose, I would definitely form an opinion of them if it was a cross rather than some other design and I don't think that is the reaction that OP intends.

[NotADragonOfSoup]

It wouldn't bother me personally but for your future career success, I agree you should keep tattoos where they are not visible.

[atacareercrossroads]

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, am mature enough to understand having a tat doesn't automatically make you a rough un!

[CelticPromise]

My sister is a primary school teacher and has a tattoo on her hand. It hasn't caused her any problems. It wouldn't bother me if a teacher had tattoos, I would probably like it. And I don't think displaying a cross makes you a ' religious freak' either.

[AlphaAndEcho]

If you like it then go for it I am a professional with quite a few visible and no one has ever bat an eyelid at them

[BrittaPerry]

Ooh, I'd never heard of that...

It isn't the main reason, but I know that the only school offered to DD was catholic, where they were actively leaving non catholics out of major things, and that I went to what my parents thought was a secular school, but had creationists coming in and teaching all their stuff as fact. My parents didn't know as they assumed it was just just the odd prayer in assembly.

[clabsyqueen]

Britta perry - I'm not sure you're right. I know that unfortunately a broadly Christian collective worship is required on a daily basis in community schools (while perhaps presumed to be secular by most people) however a school with a broad mix of faiths can apply for "determination" which allows them to drop the daily act of collective worship. It's a bit a farce really - someone from SACRE comes along and checks if you can still inspire awe and wonder without referring to God. I honestly don't know where to start with my issues with the whole system...except to say I can see why you home school for this reason

[MerryCouthyMows]

Couldn't give a rats arse what tattoos a teacher has as long as they are a good teacher. The best Primary teacher my DC's had was the lady who had a dragon tattoo on her ankle that I loved.

SHE was the most kind, caring teacher in the whole school.

[BrittaPerry]

Jenny - no such thing as a secular state school in the uk. One of the main reasons I home educate. But that is a whole other thread.

[SignoraStronza]

Wouldn't bother me at all if my child's teacher was tattooed unless it was a shit tattoo

[BrittaPerry]

It's the religious aspect that would make me worried, as a parent. Obviously if people choose to show their religion, then they have weighed that up against the disadvantages. Having a tattoo takes the choice away from you.

I know someone with a big tattoo on her leg (a child friendly one) and she has to wear trousers. She wore leggings once, under a skirt, and got given a verbal warning as the head didn't think it was appropriate wear.

[Wolfiefan]

I would not have an issue with this in the slightest.
BUT.. I work in secondary and my school has just issued a dress code for staff that says all tattoos must be covered.
Really can't see the issue. (Unless you have "bollox" across your face!) Tatoos are body ART.

[DSM]

Well said littlepushka

[DSM]

How awful that so many of you ate teaching your children to judge by appearances. Bloody disgusting IMO.

[LittlePushka]

PS It was the tattoo issue I referred to. That it would be a cross and therefore a proclamation of your faith would not trouble me either. I would no more think of you as a religious nutter or unfit to teach my child than I would have a problem with the sight of a sikh with a turban or a jew with a cap delivering any public (or private for that matter) service.

To encourage diversity is to encourage tolerance and acceptance - and that can only be a good thing.

[jennysnootie]

I'd have a problem with any religious symbol if it were a secular school. Not a problem with a tattoo per se.

[ravenAK]

You'd have long sleeves on for your interview with Colonel Bufton-Tufton.

(He'll have dismissed you anyway for not being a nice young filly, tbh).

Once you have the job - assuming the interview process doesn't require a strip-search - at some point your sleeves will be rolled up for slooshing around in the sandpit purposes or similar, someone senior will spot the tattoo, & you may be asked to cover it. The sky will not fall in at this point.

But it wouldn't hurt to wait nonetheless...seeker's right that you're quite young to be contemplating a fairly visible tattoo.