Tattoos more than trend, UA research shows
Jaclyn Johnson
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: News
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Over the past 50 years, tattooing has significantly increased in popularity. At least one-third of men and women between 18 and 25 have a tattoo, according to the 2006 Generation Next Study by the Pew Research Center.
Although tattoos are considered an act of self-expression, they are far removed from others such as clothing, hairstyles and piercings, researchers said.
Tattoos are permanent, customizable and break down the separation between the body and the consumable item, said Anne M. Velliquette, Deborah J. Ever and Jeff B. Murray, a UA marketing professor. They coauthored an article, "Inscribing the Personal Myth: The Role of Tattoos in Identification," which was published in Research in Consumer Behavior, Volume 10.
Through interviews with seven people of varied lifestyles, ages and backgrounds, the researchers came to understand how tattoos aid in what they referred to as "identity construction," according to the article.
Some of the studied people began getting tattoos as a way to cope with and control the grief from the deaths of spouses or parents. One subject used tattoos as a way to create the identity he wished he had as a child and to appear tough and void of vulnerability. He later felt regret for his decisions and felt as if he was living a double life.
Identity construction is the making of meaning in one's life through the "creation and sharing of the stories of the self," which are then compiled to form a "personal myth," according to the article.
A personal myth generally follows one of two paths, according to the article. The first is of redemption in which the person is going through a time, when their life changes from a bad to good emotional experience. In opposition to this is the turning or changing point known as contamination in which one's life changes from a positive experience to a negative one.
No matter the reason for getting a tattoo, it doesn't take long to spot someone with one on the UA campus.
A recently obtained vibrantly colored sun with an inscription marks the inner forearm of junior Samantha Wempe.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Maria
posted 6/16/08 @ 4:20 AM CST
Tattoo is a beautiful art. And I personally think tattoos are a form of expression and something to represent oneself. So I think its really really important to know what to tattoo before the needles, because tattoos are permanent, it goes all your life with you. (Continued…)
Losing Weight
posted 6/16/08 @ 3:48 PM CST
Maybe I am wrong but I think that you got 2 words mixed up-- trends and fads. It sounds like you are saying that tattoos are more than a fad, they are a trend. (Continued…)
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