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).

[TheNebulousBoojum]

Some schools and parents won't care, some will instantly dismiss the idea of you as a teacher. Where I used to work, a man with a tattooed cross would have been seen as scary and linked to the NF by the children.
So, you could choose to have it in a place you could cover, or be prepared to be judged and not employed, or decide that a school with those views was not for you anyway and use your tattoo as a filter.

[saladcreamwitheverything]

I wouldn't have one personally, but I don't find them offensive on other folk, if that's what they want. If you were my DSs teacher I wouldn't have a problem with it. Some people are very high maintenance though so have it somewhere where they can't moan about it.

[WhatKindofFool]

It could prejudice people against you so I think you would be better having it done somewhere that is easier to cover up.

[WhyCatcher]

wouldn't bother me at all, in fact I would see it as a positive. What would worry me would be the indoctrination of my child in religion - so if that bit is under control, then no worries.

[adeucalione]

Surely the compromise is to have the tattoo you want, but in a less visible location?

Personally I wouldn't do anything that might inhibit my chances of getting a job.

[coldcupoftea]

As a parent I wouldn't have a problem with it. My DD's teacher has a lovely tattoo!

As someone soon to be looking for a job however I would be reluctant to get a tatoo in a visible area, or at least be prepared to always wear long sleeves, if requested by the school.

[seeker]

Don't do it.

Don't have a tattoo of any sort- particularly a "statement" tattoo where it can be seen.

People- the person posting is still at school- we should most certainly not be telling him or her that it would be absolutely fine to have a visible tattoo. Rightly or wrongly, there are people for whom it would make a difference in employment term, and it is very irresponsible for adults to be telling a 17/18 year old anything different.

[sue52]

You are only 18. Wait a few years or at least until after you have qualified and have gagued the impact a tat will have on your employment prospects. I would not have wanted to see any sort of tatoo on my child's primary school teacher.

[noramum]

I have a tattoo so I can't say I would automatically see a teacher negative wearing one.

But, in most professions, a tattoo should be at a place where it can be hidden easily to avoid confrontations. Mine is at the ankle and if necessary I can wear trousers (which I do most of the time anyway).

I would put it on the upper arm or shoulder if you really want it done.

[socharlottet]

hmm.i wouldn't.Tattoos are still perceived by many as being 'common' and nobody wants a chav teaching their dc

[pinkyredrose]

socharlottet a chav?

[KeepCoolCalmAndCollected]

If you want another tattoo why not put it somewhere that isn't on show.

Hopefully you will be a good role-model to your pupils, and surely you wouldn't want any one of them copying you as soon as they are able to.

From a personal point of view, when I see a tattoo on someone they immediately go down in my estimation. My rational for this is a) so many people regret having them done b) they look terrible on old skin (particularly on older females) c) an awful lot of illiterate dorks have them - sorry but true!

[lappy]

My daughters year 2 teacher has bright died orange hair, she rides a massive motorbike and once wheeled it onto the playground for them to see, has tattoos right across her shoulders and arms and is the best teacher ever. Very popular with the kids and parents and was quickly made head of infants after just one year at the school. When her husband had a bad accident all the kids made him get well soon cards and when he recovered he popped in to thank them and bought them chocolates. He was kitted out in his biker gear, many piercings and tattoos a plenty. They loved him and he's since accompanied them on several school trips/residentials. Good to let kids make their own minds up about people I say. They generally won't be put off by tattoos.

[Muminwestlondon]

My daughter had a male TA in reception who has visible tattoos and piercings and no one even mentioned it.

Personally as an atheist, I would judge a teacher with a cross tattoo as a rabid religious freak - frankly unless it is a Christian school I think it is inappropriate where you are likely to teach in a multi faith schools.

[seeker]

"Good to let kids make their own minds up about people I say. They generally won't be put off by tattoos."

They won't.. But potential employers might be.

[socharlottet]

Pity the kids aren't the ones recruiting then.Just put it somewhere less visible.

[seeker]

Agreed. But Colonel Bufton-Tufton, won't been Chair of Governors since 1957 won't like it.

[seeker]

Who's been, obviously.

[LittlePushka]

I am not tattooed myself, and I never will be. However, whether my childs teacher is tattoed is completely irrelevant to me as a parent and , frankkly, none of my business! It would not bother me in the least. I would be more bothered by educational establishments who would outwardly teach social and religious tolerance, yet at the same time not practice this by being at best judgemental and at worst discriminatory of its staff(or potential staff).

However, what is more on point though, is that i think if you yourself are questioning the issue, you should wait until you yourself (not me or any of us lot) are genuinely not bothered about what folk think about your tattos....surely only then is it time to get one, anywhere?! Good luck with your course

[libelulle]

I wouldn't care about the tattoo per se, though I don't like them. But I would care about the crucifix side of things. Such a big obvious statement about your faith would make me think 'arg, religious nutter'. And I'd prefer not to have one of those teaching my kids. Unreasonable maybe, but that would be my reaction, sorry.

[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.

[jennysnootie]

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

[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.

[DSM]

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