Body art in the form of permanent tattoos seem more and more common these days. From secretly positioned flowers on a thigh to full length arm designs, tattoos have become a mainstream statement. An almost decade old Harris Interactive study revealed how Americans feel about tattoos. Interestingly a third of respondents said that tattoos make them feel more sexy.
The online survey that interviewed a nationwide sample of 2,215 adults found that 16% of all adults had at least one tattoo. According to USA Today, “The highest incidence of tattoos was found among the gay, lesbian and bisexual population (31%) and among Americans ages 25 to 29 years (36%) and 30 to 39 years (28%). Regionally, people living in the West (20%) are more likely to have tattoos. Democrats are more likely to have tattoos (18%) than Republicans (14%) and Independents (12%) while equal percentages of males (16%) and females (15%) have tattoos.”
Obviously there should be some psychological benefit to obtaining a tattoo as it can be a painful process that is not easily reversible. The Harris Poll found that among the Americans with tattoos, 34% indicated that the tattoo made them feel sexier. Fascinatingly, more tattooed women (42%) expressed this than men (25%). USA Today reported on the study that “those with tattoos said that having a tattoo has made them feel more rebellious (29%) while others said a tattoo makes them feel more attractive (26%). But tattoos apparently won’t do much for your intelligence or your physique, as few Americans reported that tattoos make them feel more intelligent (5%), more healthy (4%), or more athletic (3%).”
However, people without tattoos expressed very different opinions regarding those with tattoos. Many Americans without tattoos said they think that people with tattoos are less attractive (42%), less sexy (36%) and less intelligent (31%). Those without tattoos also think that those with tattoos are more rebellious (57%). On the contrary, only 29% of those with tattoos think they are more rebellious.
One reason people may reconsider getting a tattoo is they fear they may regret it. However, the study showed that a majority of Americans with tattoos (83%) did not regret getting them, while 17% did feel regret. Where you live or your political views may influence your regret however. Respondents who indicated regret for getting a tattoo was highest among tattooed Republicans (24%) and among those living in the South (21%). Additionally, the reason mentioned most often for feeling regret about getting tattoos was “because of the person’s name in the tattoo” (16%).
While it may not be for everyone, tattoos and other forms of body art have become widely popular. Like fashion, tattoos are a reflection of one’s personality and unique style.
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