Art forms have evolved over the past centuries and these perpetual changes will continue to occur for as long as we know.  The tattoo industry is one such business that expresses its creativity and emotions under the category of body art. However, the industry has and continues to face a great amount of criticism and controversy. Although tattoos in general are seen as a sin or impurity by certain parts of the population, the condemnation faced by females with tattoos is much more extreme.

 

Unfortunately, as tattoos grew in popularity, women who chose to get tattooed were exceedingly considered "loose" or “seedy”. This went on to build insecurities within the emotional repertoire of the female populate. Not only were women with tattoos deemed less worthy, intelligent, or capable, but they were also judged more than men for their choice of getting a tattoo. During a period of male dominance - which is still pervasive today - women of “elegance” and “grace” were highly desirable and a tattoo did not fit those adjectives.

 

As much criticism was received by women in tribal areas or communities who faced obscene comments on their culture and were looked down upon. The notion of embedding tribal tattoos and ink on their bodies greatly contributed  to the incorrect ideology of tribes being inferior by society.

 

Adding on, the unnecessary limitations set by people in order to conform to society’s religious and stereotype ideals has taken a heavy toll on the choice of engraving a tattoo onto one’s body. There are numerous drawbacks for tattoos and unfair experiences that people with tattoos go through on a daily basis. For one, recruitment becomes a hassle. This includes limited job options and career prospects for one. Not having tattoos has now become an unspoken prerequisite for job applications. Many job applications do not condone the act of having body art and take it into consideration negativity as they evaluate the candidate. It is certain that having a tattoo does not affect the IQ or capabilities of a person yet they are treated as if it does alter them. 

  

In Conclusion, things have changed over the course of time and come a long way but some people who still have conservative and sexist ideologies have seemed to stick by them in the name of religion and culture, pushing their opinions in the form of social stigmas onto people with tattoos.

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Written By: Ada Sethi

Edited By: Ishani Patil

Designed By: Anjashi Ghosh

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