I got a small tattoo on my lower back when I was in my mid-20s and, even though I had already graduated college and no longer lived with my parents, I hid it from them for years because I knew they wouldn't approve. Unlike my brother, who got his first tattoo at 18, I never really cared to get one. It just happened one crazy night out with friends who decided to do it and I followed suit. At least, I got it on an inconspicuous place, which is the main reason why it's still there. Otherwise, I would've probably found a way to remove it because I didn't really care to get it in the first place.
That's why I won't allow my children to get tattoos until they're at least 18 years old and have enough money to pay for them with their own money. Ideally though, I'd rather they don't do it at all.
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I will say that trying to convince them not to, if they decide to get one, will be extremely hard considering that both their father and I have one tattoo each (we got them together that crazy night out back when we were just friends). But I will do my best to dissuade them.
The thing is that although you can get them removed with expensive laser treatments, tattoos are really more of a permanent thing and what you think is cool at 18, will probably just be stupid at 30. And that's the biggest problem I have with tattoos because even though people will tell you that it shouldn't matter, first impressions are extremely important. Unfortunately, for those who have tattoos that are not easily covered, they still get a bad rap–especially from potential employers.
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So no, there's no way I'd let my 15 year old daughter (or son) get a tattoo, regardless of how much she wants it or even if she has the money to pay for it herself.
How about you? Would you let your 15-year-old get a tattoo? Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a comment below.
Image via eyeliam/flickr
