2008 Woodie Awards
Tech study: Women more likely than men to regret their tattoos
Matt Cobb
Issue date: 7/25/08 Section: News
That tattoo of Snoopy does not seem so appealing anymore.
A group of Texas Tech researchers conducted a study about tattoo removal and found more than twice as many women than men decided to get their ink removed in 2006.
The study was a follow-up to a similar study on tattoos taken in 1996, said Myrna Armstrong, one of the study's researchers at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.
According to the report, social support for women who have tattoos is stronger than it is for men.
The researchers surveyed 196 tattooed patients at four clinics in Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and Texas, according to the study, which was led by Armstrong.
The study found that women who have tattoos face more risks than men who are inked. Armstrong said one reason for this is that society is not as welcoming to tattoos on women.
Women who have tattoos are often subjected to more negative attitudes than men, she said. These negative attitudes and the location of their tattoos both are reasons why more women are getting them removed.
"First of all, today (women) are wearing more of their tattoos on more visible locations," Armstrong said. "But, there still is a societal backlash to being able to see them."
According to the study, some of the reasons people initially got tattoos were because they said it "helped me feel unique," "helped me feel independent," or "made life experiences stand out for me."
Even though the number of women who are seeking tattoo removal has risen, according to the study, the majority of people who have tattoos are happy with their markings.
Of the study's 196 participants, 83 percent said they are pleased with their ink.
Allison Jarrott, a junior food and nutrition major at Tech, said women with tattoos face unfair stereotypes usually not associated with men. A woman who has a tattoo is often judged more critically than a man who has one.
"People look down on a woman who has, like, a tattoo sleeve on their arm," she said. "If a man has one, it's not as big of a deal."
Jarrott said she currently has five tattoos, but is planning on getting three of them removed. The reason she wants to get them removed is not because she dislikes them, but because, when she eventually has children, she wants to serve as a good example and does not want her tattoos to reflect poorly on her as a mother.
All of the tattoos she has are in places that can be easily concealed with clothing, Jarrott said. She said the locations of her tattoos are discrete, and should not hamper her after college when she goes to apply for a job.
"My friends who don't like tattoos have told me at least it's good that mine can be hidden," Jarrott said.
A group of Texas Tech researchers conducted a study about tattoo removal and found more than twice as many women than men decided to get their ink removed in 2006.
The study was a follow-up to a similar study on tattoos taken in 1996, said Myrna Armstrong, one of the study's researchers at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.
According to the report, social support for women who have tattoos is stronger than it is for men.
The researchers surveyed 196 tattooed patients at four clinics in Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and Texas, according to the study, which was led by Armstrong.
The study found that women who have tattoos face more risks than men who are inked. Armstrong said one reason for this is that society is not as welcoming to tattoos on women.
Women who have tattoos are often subjected to more negative attitudes than men, she said. These negative attitudes and the location of their tattoos both are reasons why more women are getting them removed.
"First of all, today (women) are wearing more of their tattoos on more visible locations," Armstrong said. "But, there still is a societal backlash to being able to see them."
According to the study, some of the reasons people initially got tattoos were because they said it "helped me feel unique," "helped me feel independent," or "made life experiences stand out for me."
Even though the number of women who are seeking tattoo removal has risen, according to the study, the majority of people who have tattoos are happy with their markings.
Of the study's 196 participants, 83 percent said they are pleased with their ink.
Allison Jarrott, a junior food and nutrition major at Tech, said women with tattoos face unfair stereotypes usually not associated with men. A woman who has a tattoo is often judged more critically than a man who has one.
"People look down on a woman who has, like, a tattoo sleeve on their arm," she said. "If a man has one, it's not as big of a deal."
Jarrott said she currently has five tattoos, but is planning on getting three of them removed. The reason she wants to get them removed is not because she dislikes them, but because, when she eventually has children, she wants to serve as a good example and does not want her tattoos to reflect poorly on her as a mother.
All of the tattoos she has are in places that can be easily concealed with clothing, Jarrott said. She said the locations of her tattoos are discrete, and should not hamper her after college when she goes to apply for a job.
"My friends who don't like tattoos have told me at least it's good that mine can be hidden," Jarrott said.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
George Gant
posted 7/25/08 @ 3:05 AM CST
Tattoos are a distraction, and the more attractive the female, the uglier and less appealing the tattoo makes her, unless she's a Biker's chick. But in that case, who really gives a damn. (Continued…)
George Gant
posted 7/25/08 @ 3:18 AM CST
Tattoos Linked tp Personality Disorders:
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/health/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1560120
Mike
posted 7/25/08 @ 12:00 PM CST
George, we've argued a few times in the past, but this isn't one of those times.
Since there are so many girls getting tatted up these days (I know more girls than guys with ink), doesn't that defeat the uniqueness factor? Just because you are unique, it doesn't mean you are useful. (Continued…)
George Gant
posted 7/25/08 @ 1:30 PM CST
This is post is not a joke, and I hope some researchers at Texas Tech will take up the study.
Amphibian health is an early indicator of the planets' health. (Continued…)
George Gant
posted 7/25/08 @ 1:50 PM CST
Must Read for Anyone Contemplating Their First Tattoo:
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/health/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1560120
You may have a serious Psychological/Medical Problem!
Lee
posted 7/28/08 @ 4:24 PM CST
wait wait wait...
"According to the report, social support for women who have tattoos is stronger than it is for men."
then
"Armstrong said one reason for this is that society is not as welcoming to tattoos on women. (Continued…)
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