From drawing in sketchbooks to studying tattoo styles online, more teens are showing interest in working in the tattoo industry, whether that’s behind the tattoo machine or the one getting tattooed. As tattoo culture becomes more accepted, students are starting to see it as both a form of expression and a possible future job.
Tattoos have been around for centuries, originally used to show status, protection, or cultural identity, as stated in the worldwide history of tattoos. Today, tattoos carry different meanings for some people; some simply get them to express personal style or interests.
“Some of my tattoos are for family, and some of them are for fandom.” Mr. Dan Langlois, the Triton e-Sports coach and fan of tattoos stateds in an interview. “My first tattoo was on a whim; a friend wanted to get one, so we went together.”
Mr. Langlois’ experience shows that not all tattoos have to be deeply meaningful; sometimes they just represent a simple moment in time.
Some students at school are also starting to think about tattoos more seriously.“I want to go into tattooing because I already have the skills for the profession, a passion for body art, and it pays well, depending on skill level,” said Desiray Martinez.
Some students see it as a good way to break into the career of art.
As well as another student, too, “I have always wanted to have an art career, as it’s one of my favorite things to do. With the rise of AI, art careers have been getting harder to make a living from, so I decided to become a tattoo artist so I could still do art but also be able to get a steady income,” said Noah Corvus in an interview.
At the same time, there are important things to consider before getting a tattoo. According to recommendations from the Twisted Tattoo website, people should make sure to research portfolios and the artist’s work. But not only to find a great tattoo artist for you, but also to make sure you’ve seen all the different styles there are. There are dozens of tattoo styles and techniques, so it’s recommended to wait a couple of months or years to decide if you truly want a tattoo.
There are also certain rules on where you live. Like in some places, minors need parental permission to get a tattoo, and some jobs or schools may have rules about visible tattoos, which can affect what, where, or even when they should decide to get one.
“I was 16 when I got my first tattoo: a pair of angel wings around a heart above a dog paw, with a date.” Desiray Martinez said. “It was for my 15-year-old husky that we had to put down a few months prior due to his old age; it is still my most meaningful tattoo yet.”
Stories like this show how tattoos can hold strong emotional value and represent important memories.
At the end of the day, tattoos mean different things to different people, and that’s what makes them so popular. As teens become more interested in them, either as artists or clients, tattoos continue to grow as a way for people to show who they are in their own way.
