Skin stories: Tattoos on the rise for students

Freshman Tim Yeaton epitomizes the definition of "inked." With five tattoos, he has gotten more body art before his 21st birthday than most will get in a lifetime.

He has Chinese symbols, "Mom" on his bicep and a bull on his calf, identical to his father's. After his father's sudden death last year, Yeaton decided there was no better way to honor his father's memory than with a tattoo. The large cross with the words "Psalm 23" stretches between Yeaton's shoulders.

Yeaton's story is becoming less and less unique among Americans. Tattoos have slowly become a pervasive element within society. Whether they have special significance or are simply the product of a crazy night on the town, tattoos are as popular in America as ever before.

Tattoos have existed for thousands of years, the earliest thought to have originated in Japan. However, many other cultures, such as the Chinese, Samoans and early Europeans discovered the practice independently throughout the millennia.

The methods and customs of tattooing immigrated to the United States and have slowly become engrained into popular culture.

After the electric tattooing instrument was invented in 1891, the art form became more popular in the United States. The new ease of application began a slow rise in tattoo popularity, growing immensly in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Bikers, hippies and other members of the counterculture openly flaunted their radical ideals with large, ornate tattoos designed to shock the relatively conservative eyes of society.

Since that time, tattooing has become more popular. More than 14 percent of American adults have at least one. Additionally, more college students than ever sport the "inked" look and the number is on the rise.

However, despite the rising prominence and acceptance of tattooing, many critics claim that excessive body art may lead to exclusion with relation to employment. Even the United States Army includes a tattoo policy among its regulations.

"(1) Any tattoo or brand anywhere on the head or face is prohibited except for permanent make-up (paragraph 1-8B (1) (A)). Tattoos that are not extremist, indecent, sexist or racist are allowed on the hands and neck," states the regulation. "The soldier's refusal to remove extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist tattoos or brands anywhere on the body will result in discharge."

This harsh language does not deter most seeking body art. One can find tattoos anywhere from the most rebellious student to the most conservative. Acceptance of tattoos seems to be widespread, but while many students have body art, individual rationales vary greatly.

Senior Matt Hammer has three tattoos. He originally had them done because of the "coolness factor."

"I was eighteen and thought it would be really cool. I had always been curious about tattooing and wanted to check it out," Hammer said.

Senior Stephen Walden, drummer of the local rock band The Kickback, is one of the most tattooed students on campus. He cited a number of reasons for his body art.

"I've always respected it as an art form, and tattoos are definitely a conversation starter. It's as if you're the living, walking canvas to someone's artwork," Walden said. "Beyond that, tattoos are simply a way for people to identify themselves uniquely, which is both a blessing and a curse. Also, in all honesty, there was probably a hint of 'piss the parents off' mentality.'"

With a sleeve of stars, rings of fish and two Biblical words, Walden has become a self-proclaimed "tattoo addict."

"Tattoos are addictive, and if I had the money to get every tattoo I wanted, I'd have some pretty stupid ink on me," he said.

Like Walden, Hammer still feels the draw of the needle.

"I like tattoos. I think they can represent a lot of things and can let people remember memories or moments in their lives, that or just have a piece of art that represents them forever," Hammer said.

However, not every person with ink plans more body art. Junior Michele King is currently in the process of having her tattoo removed. While she originally wanted the tattoo that sits on her right lower back, she later realized that she wanted it removed for a number of reasons.

"Everyone else was getting tattoos, and I thought they looked cool at the time. But, I decided to get rid of it because it is bigger than I wanted and the tattoo artist did not make it look the way I wanted," King said. "I also decided that it looks trashy when I wear a bathing suit."

Both Yeaton and Hammer have also had negative experiences with tattooing, albeit not as dire as King's. Yeaton's only complaint was the pain of the procedure.

"It's not that bad, but it's an annoying pain," Yeaton said.

Hammer noted that some tattoo artists leave much to be desired and finding a good artist may be difficult.

"My second tattoo was on my right shoulder, and the artist who did the work did a poor job," Hammer said. "It took me two years to find someone I wanted to work on me and fix the tattoo."

Even still, Hammer, Walden and King caution those pondering tattoos. While the idea seems fun in the moment, they say, one must give serious thought to the permanence of a tattoo.

"I don't think a lot of people contemplate the idea of having their tattoo on them forever or of what they are actually getting tattooed on them, which is probably why there are so many people with tribal designs, generic pictures and lower back tattoos," Hammer said.

King's experience has given her a new perspective on tattooing. She says she will never get another tattoo.

"I would never get another tattoo because God made our bodies without ink, and bodies look better without tattoos all over them," said King. "I would not recommend getting a tattoo if someone does not know what they want. If someone has wanted a tattoo for a long time and know exactly what they want, then as long as they remember it is going to be on their body forever, go ahead and get it."

Yeaton's advice was somewhat simpler.

"Pick something you want, see if you still like it six months later, then get it, because they are permanent," he said. "Most importantly, make sure the place you go to is clean."