Tattoing in America

Tattooing in America

Criminals, convicts, prostitutes, circus freaks, bikers, sailors, only to name a few. These are the stereotypes of people thought to get tattooed. Things have changed in recent years, not only by the social acceptance of tattoos in the United States but the meanings of these markings as well. Tattoos are now considered more of a form of art or self expression.

Evolving from an antisocial activity in the 1960’s tattoos are now a trendy fashion statement. Rock stars, movie stars, sports figures and other public figures are setting the behavior and acceptance patterns for today’s world. A recent phone survey by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that today one in four Americans over the age of 18 have at least one tattoo.

Because of the new acceptance of tattooing, a new type of business has developed. Traditionally the “tattoo parlor” which glorified the outlaw type of culture still exists with a booming business, but a newer upscale “tattoo art studio” has developed that features custom, fine art design. This new studio is directed at the middle and upper-class professionals that would identify with the custom jewelry store, fashion boutique, or high-end antique shop. Tattooing is now the sixth-fastest-growing retail business in the United States, after the Internet, computer and cell phone stores. One studio reported a 14 percent increase in a nine month time frame with no decline in the past two years.

The art of tattooing has been followed closely in the media since the early 70’s. Because of this interest it is easy to see the increased popularity of tattooing.

In 1970 Time magazine was the first national media outlet to profile a tattoo artist and bring the art of tattooing into direct public view, drawing national attention to a subject often thought of as taboo. The artist profiled was named Lyle Tuttle and had customers such as Janis Joplin and the Rolling Stones. Time stated that tattoos...