Should I Let My Teenager Get a Tattoo?

Dear Dr. G.,

My 16 year old teenage daughter has been begging me to let her get a tattoo. She says that it would mean a lot to her and that many of her peers have tattoos. She is right. I have seen that many of the kids in her high school have tattoos. When I was a teenager, very few kids of that age had them. I am very hesitant to let her get a tattoo for a number of reasons. First, I don't like body art. Second, tattoos are permanent and once something is inked on your body it's there to stay. And third, I'm concerned that a tattoo will make a negative impression when she goes on job and college interviews. I want to support my daughter. She is a good kid but I feel very strongly about this. What do you suggest?

An Anti-Body-Art Mother

Dear Anti-Body-Art Mother,

I love the way you pose this question. You are not only honest about your own feelings but you are concerned about making the right decision for your daughter.

You are correct. During the past several years body art has become more common in this age group. Not only are more teenagers getting tattoos but at the same time more parents are supporting them in this endeavor. I do not suggest that you buckle under this pressure. Instead, I suggest that while you let your daughter know that you are not in support of the tattoo that you also keep the discussion open. Let her know that you will re-visit the idea with her again and again as time passes. My concern is that if you simply say no that she might, in typical teen fashion, feel rebellious and head to the closest tattoo parlor. You certainly don't want that. She may end up in a tattoo shop with less than sanitary conditions and become at risk for infection.

I would also like to hear a little bit more about what sort of tattoo she is interested in, what this means to her, and the location and size of the tattoo that she is interested in. All of these are good topics for discussion.
Good luck!

Dr. G.