Whenever I see a really unique tattoo I can't help but think of that line from the movie The Wild One. You know the one where the main character Johnny's asked what he's rebelling against and he answers, "Whaddya got?" Its classic and reminds me a bit of how tattoos were looked at not that very long ago. The ink itself was a statement. A way of saying to the world, I'm unique, not at all what you were expecting, and you'd best take heed. There was glory in being a rebel with the application of needle to skin. Parents looked at you askance, daughters deemed unsafe in your company, and employers thought more than twice on hiring such an obvious ne'er do well, not that you'd be interested in such a job, rebel that you were. So what happened, what took such a perfect statement and made it as mainstream as a 2nd piercing in an ear? I place the blame squarely on college co-eds. It began with a few hidden tattoos on an ankle or some other easily covered spot, then worked its way to the center of her back. And suddenly, young beautiful co-eds with a bit of ink and a spring break, and next thing you know, tattoos are all over MTV and young moms at the neighborhood pools. Within the span of a decade they were everywhere, in all shapes and sizes, from flowers to full sleeves. And once you hit a certain momentum, it's perfectly acceptable, and wham, no more statement of counter-cultural uniqueness. Those parents who looked at you strangely just want a closer look at the ink. And the bosses who wouldn't hire you a couple of years ago, well they're sporting a few tattoos of their own these days. So yes, I'm blaming the co-eds, who became the moms and young execs, who are now running the companies that look at tattoos as nothing more than a nice HR department protected right to self expression. But is that such a bad thing? Tattoos are more than a statement in and of themselves now. They're the ultimate form of self-expression that you always carry along as a badge of honor. Everything from the name of the love of your life to long flowery life affirming statements have made it onto very publicly visible skin. And as a result there's been a new resurgence of the Art of the Tattoo. They're there to be shown off these days, not hidden beneath the clothing only to come out on special occasions. They shout out who you are, and now that they've been accepted the shouts are in a multitude of voices. From military unit insignia, to fairies, from slices of bacon to the Linux Penguin, anything is possible as long as you're willing to wear it for life. Sure the image of the inked up rebel is a thing of the past, but it's been replaced with an individuality that's a rebellion all its own. An image that relies on acceptance of our differences rather than alienation from everyone around you. And as the tattoo has become mainstream, so has a sense of nonconformity that makes wearing a bit of ink all the more fun, because you can share the experience with so many others around you.
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Whenever I see a really unique tattoo I can't help but think of that line from the movie The Wild One. You know the one where the main character Johnny's asked what he's rebelling against and he answers,
If you have a tattoo you regret and would like to get removed, you can spend 1000s on laser tattoo removal treatments, OR you can explore the Nuviderm Home Tattoo Removals System, which can remove your tattoo without emptying your wallet. Visit http://nuviderm.com/ to learn more about the Nuviderm solution for tattoo removal. Eileen Howerton is a full-time, freelance writer.
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