Inking

Ethnographic study by Karen Start

Skin

The

Mrs. F. Dziadek

1301 284

History and Culture

• Average estimation of practicing tattooing was 12, 000 years B.C.

• Tattoos are part of many cultures and religion– Undeveloped society: tattoos showed working status,

belief, communication, etc.– Modern: continue to show religion and culture, self

expression, art, etc.• 21st century: sailors, marines, and bikers with

tattoos • ‘body modification’

The Tattoo Discourse Community

“…six defining characteristics that will be necessary and sufficient…” – John Swales

Tattoo community characteristics: Common goals lexis certain terms Communication & information

Conventions/magazines Membership Identity

tattoos

Why are these individuals with tattoos not accepted into society's working area?

Corporation views Older generation Religion Gender Law loops

VS

Appearances of a Person with Tattoos

Religious View• Often frowned upon by

Catholics, Christians, and etc.

• Some religions are very accepting of tattoos

• Way to show their belief• Not all religious people

think negative of tattoos• Another form of tattooing is

using henna ink

Corporations and Businesses View

• They want to look good to gain business and benefits

• Set tattoo and piercing policies

So, What do you think of employers’ anti-tattoo policies?

http://www.youtube.com/user/yopinion#p/u/28/CM_RQ6ASuak

Appearances of a Person with tattoos (continued)

Modern View• Grown to be more

accepting• Not seen as a problem in

the working area• Common in young people• Shows confidence

Older Generation View• Tattoos are not accepted in

the working area• Found to be childish• Inappropriate

The struggle continues..Some Traditions

Common Business entire

BUT…SMALL BUSINESSES OPEN

Art is formed and practiced

& a new community is created

ReferencesCornwell, Henry , Dominic Kavanagh, Dougal Robinson, David Southwood, and Clark Butler. "Page

Error! | yopinion.com.au | get thinking. start talking. ." Page Error! | yopinion.com.au | get thinking. start talking. . N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yopinion.com.au>.

"A Brief History of Tattoos." Welcome to the Power Verbs Web Site. Web Design Extraordinair.. Tattoo You, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. http://www.powerverbs.com/tattooyou/History.htm

Robo, Regina M. . "Body Art in the Workplace." Salary.com - Salary Information, Job Search, Education Opportunities and Career Advice. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://www.salary.com/Articles/ArticleDetail.asp?part=par228>.

"POPULARITY SURGE OF MULTIPLE BODY PIERCINGS AND TATTOOS OFFER POWERFUL EVIDENCE OUR SOCIETY HAS SLIPPED DOWN THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF SATANISM." The Cutting Edge - Spiritual Insights Into The New World Order So Startling You'll Never Look At The News The Same Way Again. . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1814

Swales, John. "4." Writing About Writing. Boston: Bedford St. Martin's, 2011. 466-497. Print.

M.D., Beth S.. "Religions and Tattoos." Love To Know. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <tattoos.lovetoknow.com/Religions_and_Tattoos>.