People are always taught not to judge based on appearance; everyone is unique in some way. But with rising popularity, tattoos continue to be a taboo topic.

Tattoos  have a rich history, originating in the Neolithic age, first used to identify a person to a group of people. If you were a slave you could be tattooed with a simple pattern that would identify you to your master. In the Roman Empire, slaves were frequently tattooed with the words, “stop me, I’m a runaway” on their foreheads. Tattoos were used to indicate social status, lineage, and religious or cultural beliefs in tribes. In Nazi Germany, some internment camps tattooed prisoners with numbers to keep track of the camp population.

Tattoos first became popular, voluntary, and decorative body modifications starting in the 1800’s with circus performers and side show acts. They were seen as unnatural but were mesmerizing to people, initiating a slow growth of the popularity of tattoos in the general public.

Every year more and more people are getting tattoos; these pieces of body art seem to leave the younger generations in awe, while older generations seem to be less accepting of this quickly increasing trend.

“When I got my first tattoo my dad told me I ruined any chance of having a professional job. He told me I looked like a freak and a convict. But he’s like sixty. Most people his age share the same opinion,” FSU Film Major Veronica Alvarez shared with a laugh.

One of the reasons tattoos are such a taboo topic is the issue of tattoos in the workplace. There is a certain stigma behind tattoos. Many call them unprofessional. With more and more people choosing to adorn themselves in body art, companies have created strict guidelines for employees with visible tattoos.

Having tattoos can sometimes cause problems for an employee in the workplace; many claim that they have been discriminated against because of their body art. Alvarez spoke about a simple step to take to end discrimination, “Discrimination in the workplace can be ended if people can just get through their thick skulls that you can show ink and look professional. My tattoos don’t affect how I work at all, so why does it matter to you?”

People who are against tattoos in the workplace say that people with tattoos can intimidate others. This can lead to people being scared to approach and talk to someone with body art, ultimately leading to a decrease in sales or tasks not being able to be completed on time.

In a survey conducted by Dr. Andrew Timming of St. Andrew’s University School of Management in Scotland, it was found that tattoos still carry a negative connotation and lower you chances of being hired.

People who decide to get something permanently engraved on themselves have many reasons supporting their action. Many people have tattoos with a deep backstory. Others take a different approach, stressing that a tattoo is solely the matter of person who chooses to get it.

Haley Strader, who has already planned out her first three tattoos, passionately explained her view point on body art, “I don’t see why so many people decide to critique someone’s tattoo. It’s something that never goes away, and they know that. They plan out what they want beforehand and then get it done. Tattoos are for you. Once you get one, you’re a walking piece of art and nobody can tell you to take it off. It’s stuck on your body because you want it to be. It’s not something you do for other people, it’s for yourself. I think that’s pretty cool.”

Tattoos can be used to preserve a memory, show a story a story with just a picture, remind you of your origin, and even show what’s helped you get through your life. One thing that tattoos cannot do is impair your ability to a do a job or complete a task.

Why is art on a canvas acceptable but not art on your body?