Parents of Teens Wanting Tattoos

January 1, 2016General, Tattoo AdviceBy Dr Greg Hall

Teens Wanting Tattoos

“My teenager wants a tattoo and I don’t know what to say”

“My daughter wants a tattoo because all of her friends have one”

“My son wants a tattoo because all of the jocks at school did it”

Insuring your teenager’s future is one of the more difficult responsibilities you can have as a parent. With so many teens wanting tattoos, it is difficult to convey to them the seriousness of this issue as well as the impact on their personal and professional lives. Peer pressure in school and even in good neighborhoods can be overwhelming for some teens. Every adult has the right to do whatever they want to their body, including getting the body art of their choice. A teen, however, is not an adult, and needs guidance, education, and positive family pressure to get them to WAIT before getting their first tattoo.

To help with keeping teens from getting a premature tattoo, shoulditattoo.com has resources EVERY TEEN should review with their parent or guardian. One of the best ways to help a teen from making a bad, spur of the moment, decision is to agree to form a contract.

Shoulditattoo.com offers a printable contract that both parent/guardian and teen can read, discuss, and sign that basically says they will not get a tattoo without first discussing the issue with the parent or guardian. Scientific studies have shown that even though this contract is legally useless, it does make the parties involved think about the topic, and the act of signing it is hard evidence of a promise made to a loved one!

Other organizations have taken on this wave of teens wanting teens. In California, The University of California at Davis began a drive to help students put a little more thought into tattoos, their risks, and social implications. “Be Smart with Body Art” was born. They found that over 40% of their students never thought there was any health risks associated with tattoos. They didn’t know about that Hepatitis, Staph infections, skin reactions, and more were possible with each tattoo! They especially want to get the word out on the risks of Hepatitis C which is rapidly growing in people in their teens and twenties. Go to their site and read the personal accounts of students and their tattoo regrets.

We know that rash decisions can sometimes lead to remorse. Trying to shield our children from at least some of these impulsive decisions is actually easier than we think. The book, Teens, Tattoos, & Piercings, was written as an easily understandable, and quickly read manual that goes over all the pros and cons of getting a tattoo. It’s full of pictures and facts that everyone should consider BEFORE they get inked. EVERY TEEN should read it, and no one should go off to college without it.

Time and time again, scientists have shown that merely TALKING about modern trends, fashions, and peer pressure can have a very positive effect. Don’t preach, lecture, or threaten. . .just talk.

About the author

Dr Greg Hall

Gregory Hall, MD is a physician, author, speaker, inventor, professor, and public health professional. He strives to improve the quality of medical care through fair disclosure, quality care, and an honest approach to patients and their families.

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“Dr. Hall’s book is a must read for anyone with a tattoo or is considering getting one for the first time.”

Marty Miller, President/CEO Miller Public Relations, LLC
“As a forty-nine years old woman, my decision to get a tattoo was far from impulsive.

However, my husband and soulmate has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I wanted to have some permanent record of our love, after he is gone.

Since, as part of his treatment, he will be undergoing Radiotherapy, he would be left with a small and very discrete tattoo or two himself, (in order to ensure the tumor is targeted properly). So after some consideration, I thought it would be a nice touch to have the identical marking tattooed on myself, to express my commitment to support him until the end, and to remember him afterwards. If, by some slim change he is cured, it would be a memorial of a difficult time in our lives.

I was highly delighted to come across a website, that clearly and without prejudice, gave advice to those who were contemplating making this permanent change in their lives.

After reading all the information provided on the site, I decided that a cost of 99 cents for the book was entirely reasonable, as it would not do any harm to have as much information as possible.

I am glad I made this purchase, as in among was a short passage suggesting that if you were considering getting a tattoo, in remembrance of someone close who had died, that you think about whether there weren’t far better ways of expressing your love, and whether you would really want a permanent reminder of your loss.

It suddenly hit me, that there was a significant risk that it would interfere with my ability to grieve and move on.

Thanks to this website and book, I have avoided making an irreversible decision, that not only might I regret, but could cause me significant emotional damage.

After all, I can always reconsider the decision, NOT to get a tattoo, at some later date, when I am in a less vulnerable state of mind.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Su Mitchell
“Dr. Hall – I wanted to thank you for writing “Teens, Tattoos and Piercings.” It is clear, comprehensive and compelling. As the mother of 4 children – who definitely does not want any of them getting a tattoo or piercing, other than ear piercing, you have given me a powerful and non-judgmental tool to talk them out of it.”

Shannon Jerse
“Tattoos: Should I or Shouldn’t I?” was very easy to read and contained a wealth of information. The book really made one think about the ramifications of tattoos, all the way from health concerns to possible impacts on employment. I also appreciated the tone of the book; it did not tell you that you should not get a tattoo, but focused on directing you to make an informed decision. Parents should seriously think about having their teenaged children read this book and discussing it with them.”

Sherman Moon – IT Specialist
“If you are planning on getting a tattoo, or multiple tattoos, do yourself a favor “READ THESE BOOKS” so there will not be any unpleasant surprises. It is definitely better to be “safe than sorry”. There is information in this book that will help you make a wise decision as to “tattooing” and even the tattoos you might choose that will be with you forever. This book could be one of your best investments if you, or someone in your family is planning on a life that includes tattoos. GET THESE BOOKS!”

Tony Whitaker – Inspirational Speaker & Counselor
“Just finished reading your book, “Tattoos: Should I or Shouldn’t I.” I found it to be not only an “easy read” but also, inviting to the reader, highly informative and very thought provoking. It raises questions the vast majority of people with tattoos as well as those contemplating getting a tattoo never dreamed of considering. Given the demographics of those getting tattoos and the possible consequences of an often “in-the-moment” and seemingly benign decision, as an educator, I would strongly recommend that Tattoos become a “must read” in today’s health classes or information on tattoos become a part of our school’s health curriculum at the very least. The information you provide could prevent unnecessary regret and hours of untold pain, both physical and financial.”

Reginald C. Blue, Ph.D. – Psychologist – LPCC – CAS – CRS