When I was growing up- I'm now 61- the only people that had tattoos were bikers & sailors. I'm amongst the ages 41 to 65 demographic 90% of whom don't have tattoos. My opinion of tattoos will never change and it's not a high opinion.

I see many high school kids with the strangest tattoos.
My question is, where do they get the money for that type of thing? They don't come cheap.
I have one and I would recommend any ADULT who is considering one, but teenage years are too young to have one. What you like today, 10, 15, 20 years you may not, but then it's too late.

I guess I fall into the 10% of 41-65 demographic that has tattoos. I am a retired sailor so I guess that makes it OK? I did get them so they would not be visible when in work clothing. You never know what you are going to be doing in 10, 20, 30 years from the time you get the tattoo.

I do find people who have offensive, or highly visible tattoos (face, neck, arms and hands) a little out there. But each to his/her own. One of my kids has a tattoo, but didn't get it until he was in his late 20's, the other has no desire to get one. It was thier choice, but I wouldn't have agreed to them getting one while living under my roof.

I am a parent & I see people with tattoo's everywhere. Regardless of their culture, the tattoo's may be big or small, covered or concealed, silly or sentimental. I believe it is a person's right to self expression. My youngest son (now 13) tells me when he turns 18 (considered an adult) that he will get a tattoo. I have one, a memorial of my grandmother, my husband has 2 & even though I would prefer that both of my boys don't get tattoo/s in the future but as long as they are 18 & consider all the consequences & they understand they will where it with them for life then it will be their decision. It's only because I know how society will look & judge them is when I get that disapproval feeling. I got mine last year & had thought about the consequences, judgements, work force, all that & I don't regret it at all. I would rather them get a tattoo then let's say join a gang or get into drugs, there are more horrible things they could get into then getting a tattoo.

Let me just say that I am not for or against tatoos. I think they are a personal choice and many of my friends have them. But when you are 17 you can't imagine what it would be like to be 25 or even 30. I got a tatoo on my bicep when I was a teenager against my parents wishes. What cost $35 to put on cost over $1000 to remove when I was 30. I got it out of a sense of rebellion and I wanted to fit in with a certain group of people. When I became older I changed significantly and I could no longer identify with that life style. Making such a 'permanent' statement at such a young age can be foolish. What fits in early adult hood does not always fit later in life. Like it or not society has labels. For instance, young women with tatoos across their low backs are considered trashy by some. A young adult may think they are ready for the attention but a lot of the time it attracts the wrong kind of attention. My best friend has her entire back covered in tatoos. She had them done during a rough time in her life. when I asked her why she said 'I 'm not very pretty, I need to make up for it'. That time of her life has passed and she has recovered her self-esteem. She has accepted that they are there for good but now wishes she only had 'one'. I think 18 should be the bare minimum for making such a life altering permanent statement.

No tattoo's or body piercings for my husband or me, never wanted them ...

2 kids: no problem in high school (I am sure, but nothing I know of, at least.)

College: the worst thing that happened - my daughter and her dorm-mate got piercings. I was told after it happened. My daughter had a cute pink gem in her navel, but her room mate got a stud in her nose. Whew! I felt blessed.

Kids graduated, working at their careers. My daughter called me recently to say she had made a decision that she knew I wouldn't like ... as a gift to herself after grad school .... drum roll .... tattoo ... no talking her out of it.

She has her dream job, in her dream field of choice, after working diligently for 6 yrs in college, and in this job market, I can only continue to feel blessed.

She worked with a local tattoo artist who created a beautiful, colorful, and sweet design for her. It is not a random subject, but one that has great meaning for her, and her career choice. It is perfect for her, she got it for a bargain price of $250 (you would have to see it), it was painful, took hours, and it bothered her for a while.

It is large, on her back, and can not be seen with any clothing she would EVER want to wear to work. She had been thinking about maybe getting a tattoo for years, but when she got this idea for her personal tattoo, it all clicked together. She changed my mind.

As long as it is well thought out, by an adult (25 yrs old at least, out of college), it has some personal meaning ... not in a drunken moment, is in a area that is not going to interfere with your life, or your peace of mind, present or future, it is only a tattoo.

My mother's rules were no tatoos or multiple piercings while she was paying for our health insurance. It was fine. I outgrew wanting a tatoo and my brother got a few (and they are great) after he graduated from college, got a job and started paying for his own health insurance. I think my mother was correct.

I know this is irrational but I think tattoos are gross, if I had a choice to hire someone that seemed traditionally "clean-cut" to represent my business or someone with tattoos I would obviously choose the clean cut person. I know this is insane, I like to think of myself as rather socially liberal and easy going but they honestly look dirty to me and freak me out.

I got my first tat at age 55. I finally decided what I wanted, and when I'm 70 it'll still look good.

I am a single mother of two small children, and I have three tattoos - two on my back that can be concealed, and a rather large one one my leg that is only hidden when I wear long pants. I was self sufficient when I got my first one, and my mother acted like I was the devil. I have never taken drugs, nor drank excessively. I was always a great student, and I have never been in trouble with the law. It was a rediculious reaction. When my kids are grown, as long as they are good , productive members of society, and are not being supported by me, I say let 'em have fun. If that's the worst thing they ever do it's okay by me.

I have a 1 yr old son and worry about this since my husband has tattoos. Honestly I think they are stupid. Used to be pierced ears and tattoos were uncommon, made a statement, etc now it's like being clean without markings is the new uncommon/unique!