I don’t have any tattoos, but it seems to me the entire rest of the world is inked up pretty well. It’s not just the old sailors or motorcycle club dudes getting tattooed, now it’s young people, (many from Catholic and/or private schools) rock musicians, (their badge of honor) professional athletes; especially basketball & NFL players, and a wide variety of people from across the socio-economic spectrum including tons of middle aged female executives.
It’s surprising how many women are all inked up. Golly, when I was growing up, you never saw women get tatted. Now, I think more women get inked than men. And on all parts of their bodies: ankles, lower leg, thighs, hands, wrists, arms, upper arms, buttocks, upper chest, back, neck, lower chest . . . and some are in places that would make an OBGYN blush.
So we’ve gone from graffiti to body art in about 30 years and from The Ozzie & Harriet Show to the Ozzie Osborne Show in about 40 years. Come to think of it – Ozzie & Harriet was the first Reality TV Show since it featured the true-to-life Nelson family and was based on their day-to-day lives!
Anyway, ink is in, I get it. Well not really, I don’t get it, don’t have any and don’t want any. And body piercings, what’s up with that? I’m not a fan and some of the stuff is way too radical for me like the split tongue and other forms of bodily mutilation.
My son comes to visit one day and I had to do a double take – what I saw disappointed me, but I tried not to show it. He was sporting new ear plugs with his previous covered body tattoos and I asked, “Why did you do that?” He said, “I like it.” Really, mutilating part of your body; is this the new pop sensation? I didn’t say that but it’s what I thought. Our conversation was much more colorful than what I’m saying here. I love my son dearly but I know young people have to find themselves and all that. But of all the piercings, I find this one the least attractive. Even tongue piercings are okay – you can take it out later. Again, my understanding is that some of these body piercings are in places where the sun don’t shine.
It’s easy to get caught up in the tidal wave of pop culture. It has a seductive lure and helps us define who we are and in many cases, carve out our identity. As a parent, I understand that and it’s okay to carve out your identity, but do you have to carve out a piece of your ear. Hello, can you hear me??
I know that I’m being tested as a parent and I also know that with love comes understanding and with understanding comes acceptance. Lord, I’m trying. P.W.
