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Jul 23, 2008
Women Regret Their Tattoos
Recent research from Texas Tech University reveals that women are more likely to regret getting tattoos than men. Why?
For a variety of reasons: embarrassment, body image concerns, professional image concerns, social stigma, problems with clothes, and ties to the past. Men with tattoos do report some of the same regrets, but these reasons to remove tattoos are more pronounced for women.
I've always wanted a tattoo -- say, a small dolphin on my ankle. That tattoo would be small and discreet enough that it probably wouldn't cause me the same body image problems or professional image concerns as a larger one on my bicep or calf. But, I never did get around to getting tattooed....and it's not one of my big life regrets.
To learn about the link between tattoos and antisocial personality disorder, read What Tattoos Say About Who You Are.
If you're a woman with a tattoo -- or a man with a tattoo -- feel free to comment! I'd love to hear your opinion on regretting getting a tattoo.
Comments
Dec 18, 2008 7:33 AM
Guest :
Hi Laurie,
I wanted to comment because I regret the tattoo I got above
my right ankle in 1996 at the age of 18. I feel that it is ugly. It is a
green frog and is very dark with a lot of black and green ink. Although
the artist did a good job, I have the first laser apointment to remove it
on January 8, 2009 because I do not feel I should have placed something so
irrelevant and meaningless on my body. It's significance to me was not
thought out completely at the time I got it. I feel I made a hasty and
immature decision to make myself feel older, that is meaning more
adult-like and capable of certain things than I actually was at that age.
I had my tattoo done at a shop on High Street in Columbus, Ohio while I
went away to Ohio State in the fall of 1996. I also feel that I got one to
"fit in" with the college girls because I looked very young and
was flat-chested and somewhat short. All of these were body-image issues
for me that I think I was having trouble dealing with. I wanted to look
older basically. I was not concerned enough with academics, to be
successful in that realm, and was focused instead on "improving"
my body. I also got 5 holes pierced in my ear that fall, which later I let
close up when I realized how stupid they looked. Basically I was insecure
and yes I am having the tattoo removed and it will cost a lot of money and
take a few months when I have other things to be doing now. That is the
price to pay, I guess for a poor decision in youth. I was also reading
another article in which the author makes a good point that perhaps with
the rampant tattooing among young women the legal age should be 21, like
the drinking age. I don't think I would have got one at 21. It would have
spared me the poor decision. I'm glad I was poor when I was 18 also, or I
would have got a more expensive and larger one, I'm afraid! Yikes!
J.L.S.
Mar 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Guest :
My wife recently got a tattoo, essentially without even giving me a chance
to comment. I would have commented about the great social stigma, the
possibilities of complications both in the present and the future, possible
allergy reactions now and in the future, keloids, the introduction of
poisonous and carcinogenic dyes into the body, and some other areas. Not to
mention likely problems if she ever needs an MRI exam.
Not to
mention that I personally HATE tatoos.
Are we all free and
independent beings or do we possibly need to rely on full and complete
information before we make a possible relationship shattering decision?
I may now hate people that get them, including my now possible
ex-wife.
May 2, 2009 2:21 AM
Guest :
well i just got my tattoo- i already have 2 WHICH MEAN something- this one
on my lower back has no meaning i htought HEY if these people can get
stupid tattoos i can too- Now i wish I went and got this other one instead
of the tribal design and at least had more time to think.....DONT RUSH
Oct 14, 2009 6:49 PM
Guest :
I have to say that I have many tattoo(s). I waited until I was 35 to begin
the process. I waited that long b/c I spent most of my life listening to
people tell me why I shouldn't do it. I have to say that I have put a lot
of time into the pieces I have on my body. Each have a special meaning and
I have done a lot of research regarding symbolism so that it(the
tattoo)conveys just what I want it to. Some are great pieces of artwork
others reminders of pleasant memories from the past. Do I have image
concerns (personal or professional) - NO! Do I worry about social stigma -
NO! If you base who I am on my ink then you're probably right (most of my
pieces are religious) and you don't want to get to know me then your loss.
Am I embarrassed - No Way! I would never have gotten them if I was going to
be embarrassed. As a matter of fact I love my ink and it usually sparks
great conversations. I am actually quite proud of the pieces that I have
(even if the first piece was flash...LOL). I have two great artist, I even
have one's original artwork on my body. As for the man who may
"possibly" divorce his wife because of a tattoo, it sounds like
you didn't really love her to begin with because the vows say "for
better or worse". Chalk this up to worse and let it go. If you are
worried about what other people are gonna say or that your gonna lose
clients (I don't know what type business you are in) then have this
discussion w/her and find alternative outfits or even makeup (to cover the
tattoo) that will make both of you feel comfortable. BTW, my daughter just
started her sleeve, this is the 3rd tattoo for her. The first one helped
her get through the pain of losing her best friend - it was a release for
her. But she didn't just head out and do it, each tattoo she spent 1 to 2
years agonizing over all the details and picking what was best for her. One
final thing, all my children are tattooed; but, I sat them down and
explained the importance of what they were contemplating. The facts are
that it is permanent, that other people will see it, others have
perceptions and views of tattooed people and did I say it's permanent. The
rule of thumb is you never get a tattoo w/the thought process of "I
can always have it removed".
4 Comments
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