

How many people do you know with tattoos? They may be the ones closest to you, a best friend, an uncle, even your own parents.
You may consider them to be ambitious, hardworking and charismatic, but in the eyes of an employer, there is prejudice before a word is even spoken. Solely because the other person has tattoos.
Why is there an immediate judgement when we see an individual with one or many tattoos? It may stem from personal beliefs or simply not understanding the meaning behind the tattoo.
Despite the reason, the disapproval is hurtful. It can put certain job opportunities at risk for many young people. According to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 40% of 18- to 34-year-olds have tattoos. That is a lot of applicants who may be rejected from a job simply because of what is on their skin.
If we really reflect on why we judge people with tattoos so harshly, it’s about what appeals to the eye. We judge the colors they chose, the size they chose, the area of their body they chose to place it. We constantly assume and criticize when in reality none of those factors matter. It is the meaning that matters.
The shoulder or wrist that reads a name or date in bold, black ink with an oversized font may appear to some as appalling or unattractive, but to that individual, it may represent the loss of a child, a friend, a parent.

Nina Manzanares, journalism and public relations junior.
That multicolored sleeve containing various shapes, flowers and animals may seem strange or distasteful to some, but to that individual it could serve as a visual representation of self-expression. It may symbolize an important time in their life, or it could simply be an image they designed and customized that makes them feel unique, a beautiful masterpiece on their very skin that they can view daily.
There are many celebrities who can attest to this. On the one-year anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing, Ariana Grande got a bee tattooed behind her ear in tribute. The bee symbolizes Manchester and is included in the city’s coat of arms. David Beckham also recognized a significant moment in his life when he tattooed the number 99 on his finger to honor his wife and the year they got married.
No matter your profession, tattoos can serve as a meaning, a reminder, a story. As an individual with tattoos, I find them to be beautiful and comforting. They represent moments of triumph in my life and are a daily reminder of what I have overcome.
Although they carry great significance, I have kept them small and hidden out of fear of being judged or the possibility of not obtaining a job.
There shouldn’t be a fear of rejection. Society instills this sense of unworthiness to others and over time, many may begin to doubt themselves and their character.
There are of course some less empathetic cases. An individual with multiple face tattoos and skulls on their neck will most likely be turned away for a job that may deal with small children.
There is, however, no standard so high that an individual with tattoos should not be considered for a job in other professional outlets, much less in retail or the food industry.
If an individual is hardworking, respectful, kind and is able to perform the simple tasks of that job, they should be considered. Their tattoos should not play the main factor in whether they are qualified.
We are robbing people of not only the ability to self-express but of opportunities that could lead them to further prosper and succeed.
The next time you encounter someone with tattoos, don’t focus your eyes on the image or words on their body but rather adjust them to see the person, the soul and what they have to offer.
@Nina14Maria
Post a comment as
Report
Watch this discussion.
(3) comments
I think you are partially right. Just having a tattoo does not make you a bad person. I have 4 of them. But, I had them done in a place that is easily hidden. You must consider many things when getting a tattoo.
Location is very important. If it can not be covered in normal clothing, an employer may have a problem with it. I have had many jobs that had policies about covering tattoos while working. I don't believe that this is asking too much.
Some tattoos can have evil meanings. I once knew a man that had a Swastika tattooed on his forehead. I knew a man that had Lightening bolts on his forearm. I knew a man with TS tattooed on his neck. These are all gang tattoos. There are also a lot more tattoos that most would not know as gang tattoos. I see them all the time since I pay attention to tattoos.
I like tattoos. Some are beautiful. But, society does not and should not give in to your values just because you want them to.
This will sound harsh but people need to hear it, every person's actions have an effect. If you are going to get a tattoo you need to consider the repercussions that will have. You have to consider where you are going to put it on your body and how it will affect you in the professional world. You have to conform to society, society does not and will not conform to you.
"My actions shouldn't have consequences. The rest of the world needs to change to conform to my decisions."
Saved you the read.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.