Investigating the Impact of Tattoos on Student Identity

This is the second story in an ongoing series about campus tattoos and their significance.

Shea Alston, a first-year student, explains why she got her tattoo. Shea Alston sits in space for sales with her laptop, set up at the entry of the digital camera. It is dimly lit by orange fluorescent light.

“I’ve all the time actually preferred butterflies,” Alston mentioned. “I’ve loads of nervousness [too, so] butterflies have been a grounding factor for me, in order that’s why I bought it.”

Alston believes that tattoos can be thought of as recollections.

“I believe [tattoos are important] as a result of they’re an everlasting factor and it may be a reminiscence of one thing,” Alston mentioned.

It’s no shock to see faculty college students throughout the nation adorned with this medium of {art}. Alston is in a protracted line of younger Individuals getting tattoos; 47% of Individuals aged 18-29 have a minimum of one tattoo.

Gianna Daufenbach (second-year pupil) is one of her classmates. She talked about her tattoos, which include a quote as well as an ornamental flower.

Daeufenbach was just 17 years old when she got her first tattoo. It represents her grandmother.

“My first tattoo was my grandma’s favourite flower,” Daeufenbach mentioned. “She handed away once I was little [and] I felt very near her. I felt prefer it was an excellent image to acknowledge her by.”

Her second tattoo, a easy quote written in stunning cursive throughout her arm which reads, “Sooner or later at a time,” helps her address the overwhelming feeling of on a regular basis nervousness.

“I wrestle so much with nervousness, simply worrying so much and I overthink and have a tendency to fret concerning the future, so it’s only a good reminder to take issues gradual […] as a result of on daily basis’s a brand new probability,” Daeufenbach mentioned.

Daeufenbach tattoos signify private values and id.

“Truthfully, I believe tattoos are simply extra of an emblem of who you might be as an individual,” Daeufenbach mentioned. “You possibly can type of, like, gauge what an individual likes or what sort of issues they’re eager about by their tattoos. My tattoos tend to be more minimal. [show how] I enjoy being in a group. It type of matches my character, however identical to issues which might be vital to you and make you up as a complete particular person.”

Sophia Feliciano, a student at ECC, had a variety of tattoos. These included the boy, the moon, and a weeping heart.

At just 15 years old, she had her first tattoo. It was the moon.

“I bought it once I was, like, 15,” Feliciano mentioned. “I used to be at a punk rock live performance [and] I bought it within the basement; it’s a type of loopy and it was an expert.”

The most recent tattoo she had was of a broken coronary heart. It’s located in her right arm.

“[The tattoo] is an illustration of, like unhappiness I suppose, or simply the s— I’ve been by way of,” Feliciano mentioned. “Every tear is one thing that’s occurred however grown from it. […] You possibly can say I put on my coronary heart on my sleeve I suppose.”

Feliciano offered her considerate opinions on tattoos and described the dangers associated with trying to make yourself into a well-liked thought.

“Should you put yourself right into a field of, ‘A tattoo has to have that means,’ then come on,” Feliciano mentioned. “You gotta, like, sit back as a result of it’s a chunk of artwork, actually, and it’s one thing you take pleasure in and that you just love and also you need it to be all you without end, [so] simply do it.”

Feliciano explored her thoughts on tattoos and the world of living in additional elements. She ended up with an inspiring message about not limiting your creativity.

“Should you stay your complete life being hesitant about stuff, you’re not going to department out and do different issues,” Feliciano mentioned. “Ultimately, you type of overlook [your tattoos] They’re there. They’re there. [tattoos]Because they have become a part of your daily life, they Are part of you.”

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