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Secret Ink


It's hard to throw a rock and not hit someone that has a tattoo, they're everywhere.  However, no everyone is accepting of this form of body art/modification.  In his article, Secret Ink, Derek Roberts talks about the history of tattoos and their place in American society.  Celebrities, athletes, artists, military...people from all walks of life and background have tattoos.  Those that are proud and unashamed of their ink freely show it off, but where do we draw the line on what is acceptable?
"The media's shifting views of tattoos have been linking to greater participation in tattooing, but the sanctioning of tattooees by nontattooed individuals shows that American culture has yet to fully embrace tattoos."
While more and more people have tattoos than ever before, it is still widely unaccepted in the business world.  Many businesses have stipulations in their employee dress codes either banning tattoos or requiring them to be covered at all times.
"In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of court cases involving the termination of employees because of their tattoos."
Roberts spent time working in a tattoo shop to help better understand why people get tattoos despite in the lack of universal acceptance.  He discusses the concept of "impression management," how a person getting a tattoo plans to explain or justify their choice of tattoo to others.  It's a way to mitigate how others will perceive and react to that person and their tattoo.

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