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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Teen has come back off holiday with a tattoo

473 replies

GreenTartan · 28/08/2021 15:39

That's it really. He's under 18 and has a fucking tattoo on his wrist.

I'm devastated. I know they're very fashionable but that's not the point. If we'd discussed it I'd have obviously made sure he waited until he was 18. The legal age!! I'd suggested he put it somewhere it couldn't be seen with a shirt on.

As it is he won't be able to do the career he wants with a fucking tattoo on his wrist.

I know MNet will jump down my throat but I'm devastated.

We're booked for consultation to get it laser removed but fuck knows how I'm going to afford it,

His girlfriend has dumped him over it and he really regrets getting it done.

I'm just posting here to moan really, can't stop crying. Stupid stupid little boy.

OP posts:
LadyDanburysCane · 31/08/2021 12:13

Okay I genuinely want to know where you both work?

I work in a school. DH is a civil servant in a department with a strict dress code.

putthetubeinthebin · 31/08/2021 12:18

@LadyDanburysCane

Okay I genuinely want to know where you both work?

I work in a school. DH is a civil servant in a department with a strict dress code.

In the 1940s?
Zilla1 · 31/08/2021 12:28

Have seen SCS and Magic Circle partners with visible tattoos and a facial piercing. Routine for GPs and acute. Less so for all of these than in general public retail workers and most other workers to be fair. Magic Circle partner got facial piercing as a graduate. Didn't ask the others whether tattoos and piercings were pre-recruitment.

LookAtMoiPloise · 31/08/2021 12:28

I would take him to the tattoo parlour where he had it done

He had it done on holiday ...

LadyDanburysCane · 31/08/2021 12:29

apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/can-i-join/tattoos-and-piercings

teacherofsci.com/can-teachers-in-the-uk-have-tattoos/

My daughter was recently involved in interviewing for new members of staff and the “boss” rejected anyone with visible tattoos.

LookAtMoiPloise · 31/08/2021 12:30

@LadyDanburysCane

apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/can-i-join/tattoos-and-piercings

teacherofsci.com/can-teachers-in-the-uk-have-tattoos/

My daughter was recently involved in interviewing for new members of staff and the “boss” rejected anyone with visible tattoos.

I don't know why you've linked to the Army Job website lmao - them, alongside other defence services - have really relaxed their rules on tattoos (obviously not offensive ones).
LadyDanburysCane · 31/08/2021 12:45

I don't know why you've linked to the Army Job website lmao - them, alongside other defence services - have really relaxed their rules on tattoos (obviously not offensive ones).

If you read the link you’d see that although the rules are relaxed there are still unacceptable places for tattoos and “Most soldiers, however, keep their saluting hand clean out of respect.”

LookAtMoiPloise · 31/08/2021 12:50

@LadyDanburysCane

I don't know why you've linked to the Army Job website lmao - them, alongside other defence services - have really relaxed their rules on tattoos (obviously not offensive ones).

If you read the link you’d see that although the rules are relaxed there are still unacceptable places for tattoos and “Most soldiers, however, keep their saluting hand clean out of respect.”

But you're harping on about 'visible tattoos' which is no longer an issue in the forces. Hand and neck tattoos - extremely visible places - are now allowed.
LookAtMoiPloise · 31/08/2021 12:53

So actually, your link was totally irrelevant to your point about visible tattoos being a bar to jobs.

LookAtMoiPloise · 31/08/2021 12:58

And yes, facial and front of neck tattoos aren't allowed. But for most other people (and likely the majority as facial tattoos aren't as common), their visible tattoos are not going to be a problem joining the forces.

LookAtMoiPloise · 31/08/2021 12:59

for them joining the forces*

MakeMathsFun · 31/08/2021 13:14

@LookAtMoiPloise

I would take him to the tattoo parlour where he had it done

He had it done on holiday ...

Photograph the tattoo. Then phone them with a follow-up email - as per what I said before. I reckon the tattoo parlours need to take more steps to ensure they don't tattoo illegally in error. Unfortunately, money talks, but if I was such an artist, I would want to be diligent in this matter.
putthetubeinthebin · 31/08/2021 13:26

Spain is 14, Italy is 16 and some countries have no legal age

GnomeDePlume · 31/08/2021 13:28

For the people who keep insisting tattoos are universally accepted. From the Army recruitment website:

TATTOO RULE #1
The general rule is if your tattoo is visible on a passport photo it will be deemed unacceptable

TATTOO RULE #2
Tattoos that are offensive or obscene, ie those that depict sex acts, violence or illegal drugs for example are a no-no.

TATTOO RULE #3
Tattoos on the hand and the back of the neck are now OK. Most soldiers, however, keep their saluting hand clean out of respect.

TATTOO RULE #4
Tattoos on the head and face are unacceptable. If you're not sure, pop along to your nearest Army Careers Centre and show them.

The OP's DS has got a tattoo on his wrist which is drug related. If the tattoo will be visible on salute then it may be considered inappropriate and count against him on recruitment if an Army career was something he was considering.

Timetobuckup · 31/08/2021 13:30

@SoupDragon

My mum killed me at 16 for getting a tattoo

It's the zombie apocalypse!

Grin
Ddot · 31/08/2021 13:51

Yes it can be dealt with, lazer or cover up but the point is that the OP is going to have to pay.
Its not so much the tattoo but the drug link

LadyDanburysCane · 31/08/2021 14:10

But you're harping on about 'visible tattoos' which is no longer an issue in the forces. Hand and neck tattoos - extremely visible places - are now allowed.

I was RESPONDING (slightly different to “harping on”) to the posts saying that there are no professions where a tattoo might be an issue.

I don’t lay out these dress codes (including the one at my work that doesn’t allow visible tattoos, piercings other than one hole in each ear, bare shoulders, denim, or certain styles of shoe). I may think some of the rules are out of date. The fact remains that they exist and pretending they don’t or saying they shouldn’t does not change the fact that a visible tattoo WILL (currently) limit employment choices.

Backwaterjunction · 31/08/2021 21:01

I’ve just read a tattooing of a minor court case, it basically said the artist didn’t check their ages both teens under 16 he assumed they were over 18 and didn’t get them to sign a disclaimer, he was find £255 and about £50 costs, so it’s not a great penalty plus it suggest that if he’d got them to sign a disclaimer it would have been even less.

Also I know a senior NHS manager with a visible tattoos of a naked lady, just saying

savannahnights · 02/09/2021 18:18

If he didn't have a choice in the decision to get it removed, be prepared for the possibility that he will get the same tattoo (or another one) when he is of legal age.

Ddot · 02/09/2021 20:19

He didnt realise it had drug connotations

AnImposter · 02/09/2021 20:24

There's a world of difference between an ecstasy based smiley face tattoo and a stripper snorting cocaine or a massive great big joint so I think context is pretty key tbh.

Oblomov21 · 02/09/2021 20:32

OP has long gone. Sad

Ddot · 02/09/2021 22:09

Probably working overtime to pay for lazer removal

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