Females with tattoos - who has em and who doesn't?

Australia
January 12, 2007 11:10am CST
Recently brought to my attention that there still appears to be a stigma attached to females getting tattoos done. I prefer to call them body art these days because some of them are truly beautiful. I'd be interested to know a. How many females in mylot have them, and how many b. Do they represent something? c. Any regrets? d. Any females contemplating getting one and why? e. And also anyone who is dead-set against body art and why? Photo of my cougar attached.
11 people like this
82 responses
@Darkwing (21583)
12 Jan 07
I'm female, and I have nothing against tattoos on women, as long as they're kept in sensible proportion. I don't have one right now, but I've been contemplating three, small, simple plain black ones, to my own design as some of the set patterns are too elaborate for me. I would like one at the top of my left arm, one on my boob, and one above my right ankle. These would all be relatively simple ones, and I have even toyed with the idea of designing my own temporary one.
1 person likes this
• Australia
12 Jan 07
Have you ever been to a tattooist just to look around? They usually have thousands of stencils that can be altered or done freehand to your own design. They're usually exceptionally helpful, just make sure you go to a reputable one.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
12 Jan 07
Thank you, yes I might try what you say. There are many tattooists in Brighton which is just 14 miles away, some more reputable than others. Yes, I'll take a trip down and suss them out.:-)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I have them and I love them - nope, not a single regret. I want more but i need to get the cash together. The only thing they represent is me really...however, I really want one of Ganesha which would would obviously be of a more spiritual nature.
• United States
12 Jan 07
I have 3 tattoos they are in spots that I can hide if needed. They all have a meaning the one on my back is my desighn it is a sun star desighn. I had a bunch of friends die in a year so it has to do with them. The one on my toe is a unity tat all the females in my family have it my sister and mom and me. It is on the same toe for all of us my mom made the desighn. then I have one on my ankle it is just a star but it represents some hard times I went through and how I am better the colors is what makes that tat. I do not regret any of them I will probly get more but I will say if you get any tats put them in a spot where you can hide them in a working feild.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jan 07
I got a tatoo when I was seventeen, I was rollerskating in San Antonio, Tx when I saw a tatoo parlor, when it chose the tat and location. It never really represeneted anything for me, I had it placed in such a manner that I can choose to reveal it or not. Yes, I have regrets, I am much older now, my tat is faded in color and with the changes in my life and the choices I have made for living out the rest of my days, tatooing is against my spiritual beliefs and teachings. On the other hand, because I have done this and had this experience I am able to relate better to others who have the same regrets and are making the same choices -- So maybe it's not all bad.. We change as we grow older, we are shaped by our personal experiences, our choices, views, dreams, aspirations, reasons all are constantly evolving and shaping the men and woman we finally become the moment before we pass away -- I try to caution people who ask to be very mindful of anything that will permantently alter your body, your physical apperance, to weigh out the health consquences both emotional and physical -- what will it be in 10 years, 15 years, 20 years - how will effect your offspring, you future spouse etc. etc. --- I think temporary tats if one must is the way to go --- do I judge other no its not my place, my son and daughter-in-law get into alot of these things, and who am I -- I went through the same and made similiar decisions --- my only advice to them is if you are going to do this, make if tasteful, don't put names (who knows if they'll be around forever), use wisdom. I didn't see your photo, but does your cougar represent something for you? Best wishes :)
• United States
12 Jan 07
Ok, there's the photo, did you design it yourself?
• United States
12 Jan 07
This is exactly what I was trying to say in my response. Don't do anything permanent when you're young because everyone changes as they grow older and gain more life experience. Try something temporary first. I'm not an expert on tattoos, obviously, but nobody would have to know it is temporary. Or, would they?
• United States
12 Jan 07
My wife has five tats and she does get heat from people about them. All of hers could be covered, but she usually does not. She has never regreted getting any of them, and will never get them removed.
• United States
12 Jan 07
Even though my response was against the idea of permanently marking up your body, especially when you're young and will probably change your mind...I have to say I respect the woman who refuses to remove them and is not afraid to show them. I think if you have a tattoo that has to be hidden, you shouldn't have it at all because you're not allowing yourself to be the true you in your everyday life. It just proves you have something to hide. Go Larrypoupard's wife for not covering them - excellent way to stand up for what you believe in.
• Australia
13 Jan 07
The words 'covered' and 'hidden' appear to be coming up a lot in this issue. I suppose I prefer the words 'revealed' or 'shown'. There are appropriate times when artwork should be 'put away' such as religious ceremonies, while you're at work etc, but it should be the persons own choice as to whether to show them or not. Once again the words covered and hidden make the tattoos seemingly taboo or unattractive or will somehow lower people's opinion of that person. That is the stigma that I am referring to, and I think that while people's acceptance of tattooed females is increasing, there is still that tag that "if shes got tats she's bad" rolling around. However with men its perfectly acceptable to have as many as they want wherever they want. Oh well...we'll see what happens by the time the next generation comes around... Thanks for your post!!
@korek222 (701)
• Poland
12 Jan 07
i must say i really love girls who have tatoo - not too many but some in a crucial parts of their body. This tatoos looks very sexy for me especially the ones which are only black ^^
1 person likes this
@astrotink (169)
12 Jan 07
I have 4 tattoos. My 1st was a little tinkerbell on my shoulder. The I got a chinese symbol for happiness with a bird on my ankle. Most recently (about 6 months ago) I got the sagittarius arrow on my inside wrist and 2 chrubs shooting an arrow to a heart inbetween them,which I designed as a symbol to me and my partner, both sagittarians, hence the arrows and soul mates hence aiming at one heart between them. I did want a tatto when I was youngeer (16-17) SOOOOOOO glad I never did as I was going thru a weird stage and wanted Freddy crueger bursting out my arm!!!
12 Jan 07
sorry forgot to say the two cherubs are on my lower back.... tasteful and my partner loves my body art, I also have my belly peirced which I've had for approx 7 years now
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I want to get a tattoo and I am a female. I have known many who have gotten them. What I want is to have my kids initials and birthdate(and there are 4 kids) placed each inside a diffrent symbol, my sons will be inside a burning son since he is my only boy, my oldest daughter is going in side a crescent moon, she is my lunar child, my middle daughter is going inside a silver star, her middle name is Starr, and my youngest daughter is goign inside a storm cloud cause I call her my storm child. I will have the "charms" linked together like a bracelet arround my ankle if they can do it if not then they are going inside a heart on my left shoulder.
• Australia
12 Jan 07
Cheers to you rose. That sounds fantastic, and exactly the point I'm making. It's art, almost a photo, that everytime you see, will remind you of your four beautiful children. My cougar has my daughters name integrated with it, because lets face it...kids are forever!
@jmcafam (2890)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I have a tattoo. I don't regret getting it either. I am planing on getting more added onto what I have. I have a dolphin jumping over a peace sign. The meaning of it is the peace sign represents my hubby. We were not supposed to be with each other because dating shipmates was not allowed on the ship we were on. So, we made the peace sign. I like dolphins. I am thinking of getting two more dolphins surrounding the peace sign for my children. Which would make three dolphins for my three kids.
• India
13 Jan 07
yes friend i too like dolphins
• Australia
12 Jan 07
Very nice. Dolphins were a very near choice for me because they meant freedom and peace, but I went for a bird of paradise instead which is the focus point in the middle of my back. One or two more trips to my inker and he should be able to hook up all three (have a pegasus as well) . Thanks for your response!!!
• United States
12 Jan 07
I love tattoos! I'm considering getting one, something not too big and maybe something that represents my kids, but the truth is that I'm chicken! I'm scared of the pain!
• Australia
13 Jan 07
The truth is...yes, they are painful, but everybody has different pain thresholds. Also it depends on how big and/or detailed the art will be. If its only small it may only take half an hour. If you look at my avatar, you'll see the pegasus (my first) took about an hour and a half. The cougar was about two and a half hours and the bird of paradise was a four hour session. My advice and most tattooists will only do a max 4 hour session, and be very mindful of the persons pain threshold throughout. Think it over
12 Jan 07
I don't have one and I won't get one either. I think too much of my health to even consider it. Do you know if their equipment is clean, sterlized? All that foreign substance going into your skin. I'm against it for me due to the health risk. Once done, there is no going back. I don't mind what other people do, but it is just not for me. It used to be that only military guys had tattoos.
• Australia
13 Jan 07
Thanks for your response Spiritwolf. I agree with the Health issues, which is why I have only ever gone to one tattooist who let me go through the whole sterilising process with him. Infection was one big issue for me too, which is why I said to go to a reputable artist. But thanks for your post, your opinion is appreciated.
• United States
12 Jan 07
I have a scorpio design on my right ankle in black; it was one of my reactions to having a confirmation of having MS. I've contemplated getting two more (not sure if they'll be black or color though)--one over one of my boobs and one on my lower back. I'm still contemplating them though...almost got the lower back done last year in New Orleans, but I think I'm going to go see my friend Josh (he owns his own place and does fantastic freehand!)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I'm a scorpio!!!!!!!!!!!! Just had to put that in there Scorpios rock!!!!!!!
@Pekachu (1112)
• United States
12 Jan 07
i dont have any i might like to get one but have somewhere on my body that is covered just for myself
• Australia
13 Jan 07
I forgot to mention in my original posting that I didn't get my first tat done until I turned 30!! I have 3, a pegasus, a bird of paradise, and the cougar (pictured). They all have meanings for me and all done by the same artist. Somewhere down the track (I'm 38 now), I'll get them all incorporated into a full scene. A lot of work (and a fair bit of pain), but I'll treasure it forever...
@scrawl (374)
• India
13 Jan 07
body tattoos are alright as long as they are in sensible places.. it just gets out of line when they are in the wrong places.. however it's a personal choice... although don't favor it much.. better to go in for a painting that can be removed.
• Canada
13 Jan 07
I just always wonder, what they would look like, once we get to the nursing home stage? Maybe not so pretty, is my thought. However, each to their own.
• United States
13 Jan 07
I am 50 years old and got mine at age 45. It is a rabbit on my lower right calf on the side. I love rabbits, as I raise them and it was my representation of that love for rabbits. I think tattoos are an art expression of that person and can stand for many things. I plan on getting another one to represent my Cherokee heritage. I think it is fine if females have them. It is their choice. My husband has one on his back and my son has many all over and my daughter has one on her calf too.
• India
13 Jan 07
well i like females with tattoos....but not much ...one or at the most two tattoos are fine and look good, but over doing ir ruins the whole idea
@joad203 (80)
• Philippines
13 Jan 07
looks cool and attractive but i dont intend to have one since my parents told me so. i happen to be obedient thank u! :)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Well getting tattoos is i think a way to keep a thing you like close to you..like if i would like to have a tattoo i wd like to have a guitar..and on the place where no body cd see it..i would like to keep this thing personal..
• United States
13 Jan 07
I am not keen on getting tattoos myself. For one thing, I have never found anything that I like enough to want on my body forever. I would want something that is visually pleasing, and that has meaning to me. I think alot of stuff looks great on other people, just not me! I used to have a lot of piercings, and have no regrets on that, but everytime I have gone to look at tattoos, nothing jumps out at me.