Should children have tattoos?

In some eastern cultures having a tattoo is a rite of passage. It may indicate that the child is passing throught the adolescent phase into adulthood. The tattoo may contain symbols that reflect the culture, ancestery and history.

Adolescence is a time of change, of pushing the boundaries and experimenting. Tattoos can be forms of self-expression or signs of rebellion. Which is true in your case?

There are several issues to consider when deciding if a tattoo is appropriate.

1. Religious concerns: In the Jewish faith, the body is considered to be on loan from God. You must give it back when this life is over. The body should not be desecrated in any way.
2. Tattoos are permanent. If you are expressing yourself, please remember that you do grow up and you may not feel the same need to express these feelings in quite the same way. There are some laser surgeries that can remove them but they are expensive and take a long time.
3. If the tattoo is of a spiritual symbol (something you will hopefully feel forever), then a tattooe can be uplifting and remind you daily of some good things in your life.
4. During the Holocaust, tattoos were a sign of oppression.
5. Most religions don't feel that tattooing is a sin.
6. Some people get tattoos for attention because their self-esteem<./b> is low. Work on increasing your self-esteem instead. For ways to increase self-esteem, click here.
7. If you are seeking ways to express yourself, there are many ways that are not permanent. Try new hair styles, let your hair grow longer, try new fashions, learn a new hobby, or learn a foreign language.

Click here to go to Growing Up With Wisdom, a site for adolescents and teens.

Click here to visit www.parentingwithwisdom.com
Click here to visit www.healingwithwisdom.com

Click here to visit www.teachingwithwisdom.com These sites are linked for easy navigation.