Worldwide, in the 21th century, one of every three young adults has at least one tattoo.

As the industry increases, every day more teenagers decide to tattoo themselves. While society once viewed tattoos as taboo, they are now more accepted, allowing teenagers to express themselves and define who they are.

”Lately many people have gotten tattoos. It`s a trend, however people get them only if they feel like it, not solely because of the trend,” Tatiana Velez, 11th grader, said.

Teenagers and Tattoos

Tattoos are more accepted today than they were 15 or 20 years ago. As the regulations and laws prohibiting tattoos on minors shifted and changed, they are easier and more accessible for young adults with desire of inking their bodies.

“I believe tattoos are symbols that are important for people`s bodies. It helps people express themselves and the things they like,” Isabela Molina, 11th grader,said.

In Colombia, since 2005 underage citizens can be tattooed with the approval and consent of their guardian. This allowed a safer regulation of tattoos and reduce the amount of tattoos that were done secretly.

“My parents agreed with my tattoo idea and thought that it was fine only if it was in a safe place. They needed to be next to me when I did it and it actually helped me feel more comfortable at the moment,” Carolina Arango, 11th grader,said.

Columbus School Students with Tattoos

During 2017 four 11th grade students and a 10th grade student decided to mark their body with a symbol that showed who they are. It works as a way to express their personalities and who they are as a person.

“I do have a tattoo and it’s behind my ear. It`s a half moon that I got alongside my mother and it symbolizes our bond,” Velez said.

As the trend gets more popular, students find that tattoos are more acceptable in our current society and take a different approach on the view they have on them.

“I really like tattoos and I am thinking on getting one. My perspective on them changed a couple of years ago when everyone treated them as something illegal, now I think they help define a person and show who they are,” Simon Escobar, 11th grader, said.

These symbols that are inked in the students bodies mostly show a connection with their loved ones and the way they feel about them. It’s a way to express a feeling towards their close ones.

“My tattoo says serenity which is a phrase my grandmother used to say very often. It was her way of showing tranquility and calmness which connects a lot with me,” Camila Alvarez, 11th grader, said.

Tattoos also relate to the hobbies and the common practices a student has. They have infinite meanings that appeal to the ones that get them.

“I got my tattoo because it symbolizes my passion which is soccer and it shows others who I am,” Emilio Mora, 10th grader, said.

The Risks

Even though tattoos are more accessible to the public and the teenagers in Colombia, there are many risks associated with the sole act of putting ink on the skin. Risks that include dangerous infections and allergic reactions are all associated to tattoos.  Columbus students decides to take extra precautions to reduce these risks.

“I did know about the risks associated with tattoos. However, I believe that it really depends on the place you get the tattoo and the hygiene of the one inking you. I made sure they used gloves and new needles as well as new ink,” Molina said.

However, there are still many students that don`t know the risks and were not fully aware how it could affect them when they got it. Many places don´t express all of the precautions and the after-effects coming with tattoos.

“I didn’t know that I couldn’t donate blood when I got my tattoo. It doesn’t change my decision but it would have been helpful that they would´ve told me when I got it,” Arango said.

The Columbus School Students against Tattoos

Even though, this trend has become really popular worldwide, not everyone accepts tattoos and state they are  against this controversial act.

“I’m against them, I think they are pretty but I don’t agree with them. I´m very religion driven, and the bible says that you won’t mark your body and I don’t find something so important I should get inked on my body, ” Eliana Lopez, 11th grader, said.

Students also find that there are many future problems tattoos can bring and prefer to avoid them by not getting one. This shows how students are interested in their future and hope to reduce inconveniences by taking their own decisions.

“I think tattoos are cool and have important meanings, but they bring many problems in the future like job opportunities and there are many universities that don’t allow tattoos which will result in having to cover it everyday. It´s just too many problems,” Santiago Giraldo,11th grade student said.

Tattoos are the new trend striking Columbus School students, in which students decide to show their personality in a visual and artistic way. As they increase in popularity, more students begin considering inking their body and showing society who they are. However, multiple students stand strong on their views against them and prefer to avoid this physical alteration. It all shows the character students have and the attitude they have when standing out.