Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo
Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo
57 Becoming and Being a Tattooed Person consequences of the tattoo. Interviewees and questionnaire respondents rarely expressed any doubts about their decision to acquire a tattoo. Those that did indicate regret. however, usually did not focus on the stigmatizing effect of the tattoo. Instead, regretful tattooees most commonly were dissatisfied with the technical quality of the tattoo they purchased (see Figure 2).9 CONCLUSION: TATTOOING, STIGMA. SELF, AND IDENTITY When potential tattooees begin to think about altering their bodies in this manner, they devise an understanding of what the tattoo will signify to themselves and others through contact with tattooed associates or by attending media presentations of tattooing and tattooed people (cf. Cohen, 1973; Matza. 1969). In general. they define that tattoo as a mark of affiliation-demonstrating connection to significant groups, primary associates. or those who share specific interests-or as an isolative symbol of unconventionality. or unique personal decoration. Having come to conceive of themselves as tattooed. potential recipients locate a tattoo establishment and acqUire the mark. When revealed to others. the newly acqUired corporeal embellishment affects interactions and relationships. Positive responses from co-interactants tend to reinforce social connections. certify tattooees' positive evaluations of self and the tattoo acquisition decision, and increase the likelihood that tattooees will expend the universe of situations in which they choose to reveal their unconventional body decorations. If being tattooed leads to negative social and self-definitional consequences. regretful tattooees are faced with various alternatives. When met with disapproVal tattooees may negatively evaluate the disapproving other and subsequently become mon: selective in disclosing the fact that they bear a tattoo (see Goffman. 1963a: II). If regretful tattooees focus the responsibility for the negative consequences of haVing acqUired the tattoo upon themselves. they can deny responsibility for the decision or take
58 Becoming and Being a Tattooed Person steps to obliterate the tattoo. Since negative evaluations of the tattoo decision are most commonly due to the perceived inferior quality of the work, regretful tattooees often have the offending mark covered or reworked by another, more skilled (one hopes), tattooist (see Figure 3). The central factor shaping this process-from initial stages of interest through dealing with the consequences of being a tattooed person-is that the tattoo is conventionally regarded as a stigma symbol (Goffman, 1963a: 43). The decision to acquire a tattoo is not only a decision to alter one's physical appearance; it is a choice to change how the person experiences his or her self and, in turn, how he or she will be defined and treated by others. Definitions of tattoos and tattooees, held by both the general culture and the "scientific community," are predominantly negative. Tattoos are defined as being symptomatic of the psychological or social deviance of the bearer. Conventional repulsion imbues tattooing with significant power and appeal. For some tattooees the act of acquiring a tattoo marks them as being involved in an exotic social world centered around the pleasurable flaunting of authority and convention (cf. Lofland, 1969: 106). (Why do you think you initially wanted to put the tattoo someplace that is well hidden?) I guess I thought that someone would think it was creepy. It would have connotations of loose women or being foolish. Like kids don't think through the consequences of stuff. They do things impetuously. I thought that people might think I just ran down there in a fit of glee. (Actually) a tattoo is not serious. I think that is part of the pleasure of it. When I was first thinking about it it was, "Oh boy, let's do this!" It was sort of a gleeful thing. It is like being a little bit bad. I can't think of one nice compact reason (I got a tattoo). They are pretty. But most of all they are a poke in the eye to people who don't have them-people who are straights or whatever. The tattoo acts as more than simply a "mark of disaffiliation" (Goffman, 1963a: 143-147). It may also demonstrate connection to unconventional social groups. In some cases, it symbolizes
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58 Becoming and Being a <strong>Tattoo</strong>ed Person<br />
steps to obliterate <strong>the</strong> tattoo. Since negative evaluations of <strong>the</strong> tattoo<br />
decision are most commonly due to <strong>the</strong> perceived inferior<br />
quality of <strong>the</strong> work, regretful tattooees often have <strong>the</strong> offending<br />
mark covered or reworked by ano<strong>the</strong>r, more skilled (one hopes),<br />
tattooist (see Figure 3).<br />
The central factor shaping this process-from initial stages of<br />
interest through dealing with <strong>the</strong> consequences of being a tattooed<br />
person-is that <strong>the</strong> tattoo is conventionally regarded as a<br />
stigma symbol (Goffman, 1963a: 43). The decision to acquire a<br />
tattoo is not only a decision to alter one's physical appearance; it<br />
is a choice to change how <strong>the</strong> person experiences his or her self<br />
and, in turn, how he or she will be defined and treated by o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
Definitions of tattoos and tattooees, held by both <strong>the</strong> general culture<br />
and <strong>the</strong> "scientific community," are predominantly negative.<br />
<strong>Tattoo</strong>s are defined as being symptomatic of <strong>the</strong> psychological or<br />
social deviance of <strong>the</strong> bearer. Conventional repulsion imbues tattooing<br />
with significant power and appeal. For some tattooees <strong>the</strong><br />
act of acquiring a tattoo marks <strong>the</strong>m as being involved in an exotic<br />
social world centered around <strong>the</strong> pleasurable flaunting of<br />
authority and convention (cf. Lofland, 1969: 106).<br />
(Why do you think you initially wanted to put <strong>the</strong> tattoo<br />
someplace that is well hidden?) I guess I thought that someone<br />
would think it was creepy. It would have connotations of loose<br />
women or being foolish. Like kids don't think through <strong>the</strong><br />
consequences of stuff. They do things impetuously. I thought<br />
that people might think I just ran down <strong>the</strong>re in a fit of glee.<br />
(Actually) a tattoo is not serious. I think that is part of <strong>the</strong><br />
pleasure of it. When I was first thinking about it it was, "Oh<br />
boy, let's do this!" It was sort of a gleeful thing. It is like being a<br />
little bit bad.<br />
I can't think of one nice compact reason (I got a tattoo). They<br />
are pretty. But most of all <strong>the</strong>y are a poke in <strong>the</strong> eye to people<br />
who don't have <strong>the</strong>m-people who are straights or whatever.<br />
The tattoo acts as more than simply a "mark of disaffiliation"<br />
(Goffman, 1963a: 143-147). It may also demonstrate connection<br />
to unconventional social groups. In some cases, it symbolizes