sailors and tattoos

[CarolJ * Courtney's Mom *]

I know that sailors and tattoos go hand and hand.... just wondering how other moms out there are feeling about this?

added after discussion started:

...she is wanting to get tats that signify members of the family, I know it's her choice , the problem I have is placement. one on ankle and one on top of foot. they are coverable as far as the Navy is concerned but what about when she gets out or wants to dress up in a dress and strappy heels or just shorts and flip-flops. Guess i'm just old fashion.. granted I have thought about it for myself, even went into a shop and talked to the artist, just couldn't bring myself to find something that i wanted on my body for the rest of my life, covered or not.
I know it's her life and her body, and if one of my two sons wanted one later in life i probably wouldn't have such a problem with it.... just the momma of my babygirl coming out in me i guess.

[Anti M]

Shops in America now have to be licensed and inspected... the days of dirty shops are long gone. (state regulations vary, but they all have rules except New Mexico).

http://www.aaatattoodirectory.com/tattoo_regulations.htm

Hey, I got my tatt at age 40, and now I'm over 50 and it still looks just fine.

But yes, sometimes a kid gets in a rush to get one and doesn't get a good piece of art. If they're going to get one, tell them to shop around, find an artist they are comfortable with and whose portfolio they like. Take the time to do the shopping around. If a tattoo shop does not have a certificate and the artist does not have a portfolio ... run the other way!

[Angie English]

When my daughter was all but 18, I paid for her first Tat..... she now has 7......basically as parents we can voice our opinions but they have no obligation to listen... mine has a phoenix on her boob!!! Geeeezzz...and a very ugly indian warrior covering the right arm from shoulder to elbow....

[mitzi]

hey ladies, just came across this site and just had to reply. my son has a tat on his inner arm, in latin, "semper libre" means forever free. i've been wondering how this was adressed in bc where he is now. any thoughts?

[Kathy]

Tattosare form of vanity and self-expression. They are not "bad"and people from all walks of life have them.
From 60 year old ladies I know to 18 year olds. I am a good mom, with daughters who are extremely intelligent and never
got in trouble, who happens to have tatoos. To me, this is a non-issue, compared to what else kids might do!

[Dawn Dunigan]

my daughter got 2 after she started nuke school. I was leery, but it's her body. And they are not visible in uniform. They do have to be ok'ed before they can get them. It's important they find a reputable and clean shop.

[seansMoM]

My son got a tattoo not too long ago (nautical star)...it is small but tasteful (not gaudy) and is well above his shirt-line on his shoulder. I don't see anything wrong with it...in fact, quite a few will get a tattoo portraying their jobs... I'm sure your daughter will choose wisely on what she puts on her body. I've been a Navy mom for nearly 2 years now....I won't be the first (or last) to tell you that they have to be able make their own decisions....and some we may not like.....judy

[Lori Fly]

Andrew has two tats. First one was the anchor with USN and waves on upper arm near shoulder. Second one is a listing of dad and grandpas and branch of service - either USN or USAF.

[Ellen R.]

My son's roommate in GL was already looking for a tattoo shop the weekend of PIR. He said the design and size etc had to be approved by the Navy. My son is a bit older and unfortunately already had three tattoos before he entered the Navy. They measured them and made him sign a paper saying they had no gang relation etc so there are some rules. I'm hoping he won't want anymore. I just don't like the permanent nature of tattoos and it seems so many regret them later. I just like clean looking skin on young people but it sure is a common thing to do these days. Makes me feel pretty old fashioned I guess.

[Emily]

My daughter got 3 tatoo's while she was in A school. They are not noticeable while in uniform so I guess it's ok. and they have meaning to her. one is written in chinese charaters meaning " to do one's best" so if hard time hit's she can look at it and never give up. Her father has 7 and when in uniform they can not be seen as well. My son just turned 18 and wants one too. but will have to wait til he graduates from High School and graduates from the Marine Boot Camp in 2009. I hoping by then he will be too busy thinking about getting tatoo's.
and my youngest hates pain and always needs a bandaid for a cut you can't even see,so I think I will be safe with her.. but then again she is only 16, who know's how she will be .

[Amber]

This has been a great thread! I have wanted a tat since I was 16. At first I was young and afraid. Then I had kids right away and wanated to set an example for them so still no tat. For my middle childs 18th she asked for a tat, so we paid and she got one. So much for setting an example!

I finally got mine at 42. It is done by a young man who was a watercolor artist and prof. muralilst first, so his work is stunning! Like wearing a real piece of artwork. I love mine and all of my kids that have them got them where you can't see them if they don't want you too. Same for myself.

I did ask them to really think about what they are getting and make sure it had deep personal meaning to them so they would be able to live with the life long decision. They have both done that as have I. Now we all share this bond and it made me the cool mom for a little while..............hard to do with 20 somethings..........LOLOLOL

[wendy]

I understand and I commented below. Its not a new idea either men and women have been doing this for many years. I pierced my ears once and thought about two holes but didnt . Im not a big fan either but you have to step aside at some point and hope they make choices that are more like we want. In the end they are still our children

[Paige Hellums]

My son just got his first (and hopefully only) tattoo. He really put some thought into it before he had it done. I have always heard that a tatto should have some meaning behind it...a memorial to a special person, a mark in time, or some other significant meaning. My son wanted to mark his time in the Navy. For him, being a United States Sailor is a goal accomplished. He has wanted to be a Sailor since he was in the 6th grade. It is also a contribution to the greater good for him. He is proud of what he does and feels like his new tat marks a very exciting and rewarding time in his life. His design is an anchor whith a skull in the center of it and the initials USN above it. I questioned the skull part and he said that it is a tribute to those who gave their lives while serving in the Navy. I have only seen photos of it but from what I can tell it is very detailed with shadows and gradients and done in just one color-black. It is on his left upper arm and looks great. I love it and so does he because it is not some aimless thing done on a whim but a meaningful piece of art that he will carry with him to his grave.