The article, “On teenagers and Tattoos”, written by Dr. Andres Martin, is an expository piece examining the motivation, significance and function of tattoos for teenagers. Dr. Martin explains that by understanding the reasons or motivations behind tattoos, adults and parents can better understand and get to know their children. The audience that Martin is trying to address is not only families that disagree with their teenagers having tattoos, but is also addressing the adults who tend to frown upon the individuals who have tattoos. In this text, Martin addresses the growing fad of tattoos, and why our youth is turning to a more permanent way of expressing themselves. The goal of this article was to inform adults of the many different motivations of teen tattooing in order to reduce the assumptions many adults make.
Like hairdo, makeup, or baggy jeans, tattoos and piercings can be subject to fad influence or peer pressure in an effort toward group affiliation. As with any other fashion statement, they can be construed as bod ily aids in the inner struggle toward identity consolida tion, serving as adjuncts to the defining and sculpting of the self by means of external manipulations. But unlike most other body decorations, tattoos and piercings are set apart by their irreversible and permanent nature, a quality at the core of their magnetic appeal to adolescents. Adolescents and their parents are often at odds over the acquisition of bodily decorations. For the adolescent, pierc ing or tattoos may be seen as
A Sense of Who I Really Am Ashley Cribbs Baker College Composition 1 Valerie Haas Monday’s and Wednesday’s A Sense Of Who I Really Am. When it comes to adolescents and tattoos, I can understand why parents get upset about them. The majority of teens don’t take much into consideration like they should when choosing a tattoo they want. Most often they get one merely because they think it looks cool or they feel peer pressured in an effort toward a group affiliation. I read a rather intriguing piece by Andres Martin called On Teenagers and Tattoos.
Not too long ago tattooing did not experience the popularity it does today. Looking back at how people once perceived tattoos years ago and how they are becoming more and more common in today’s society shows how times are changing. It is obviously clear that tattoos have broken through their mysterious outlaw image; although to some, may be still viewed as rebellious behavior. Our culture has come a long way in what is seen as conservative and have exasperated many other ways of rebellion and more importantly ways of expressing themselves. Tattoos can now be worn proudly on the outside to show how one feels on the inside.
For most teenagers, school is as much a popularity contest as it is an opportunity to further one's education, maybe even more so. Students have to keep up an appearance and a social life, however problems can arise, due to restrictions put in place by parents, schools, laws etc. A teenager wanting to dye her hair blue would raise her parent's concern, a more serious example is if a teenager was involved in illegal drugs, law enforcement may be involved. Though it may seem unhelpful to say this, a teenager changing themselves is probably the only way they will survive, however what's to say they won't naturally change of their own accord? It is common knowledge that change is unavoidable, and teenagers being the hormonal creatures that they are, they are bound to alter their personality and appearance purposely or subconsciously.
Tattoos today have become a source of self-expression. People that are fascinated with the art of tattoos, make decisions to get tattoos that have a meaning or represent some type of significance in their life. In today’s society, young adults starting at the age of 18 are contradicted by adults; generally meaning adults make claims that young adults ink their bodies just to be a part of the “hip fashion” tattoos have formed. Yet, young adults desire tattoos that have meaning just as an adult would. It does not matter the age, 18 or 21 and above, tattoos are a source of expression.
With this new fad comes the question; can they be removed? Before receiving a tattoo, customers should consider the risks involved, why they want a permanent tattoo, and if the tattoo can be removed. Tattoos are meant to be permanent. Additionally there can be health risks involved in getting a tattoo. Even though getting a tattoo is safe these days; there are still some risks involved that many people do not consider.
Peer pressure, curiosity, and the availability of drugs are factors that some youthful and vulnerable teenagers have to deal with in their adolescent lives. One of the significant reasons of teenage drug use is peer pressure, particularly from the social influences among friends, acquaintances, school, and the community. Depending on the person’s experiences and choices, circumstances and consequences may vary. If a teenager’s social main group is using drugs, then there may be a strong pressure due to the fact that drugs are present and can easily be offered. Also, the person might get convinced to think that there is nothing wrong with trying drugs because “everybody else is doing it.” In the effect that teenagers will try drugs just to fit in the social norms, they might do it to impress their buddies to be considered "cool" as part of being in the group and gain acceptance by friends.
The lyrics with sexual content made the teens partake in sexual activities. Since music is a big part of teen’s everyday life, the sexual lyrics in the music will encourage them to want to do the sexual behavior portrayed in the lyrics. This support the thesis because my thesis states music encourages sexual activity, and DeNoon said sexual lyrics made the teen initiate in intercourse which is sexual. In this article, “Degrading lyrics linked to earlier teenage sex,” Steve Connor talks about a study showing how teenagers who listen to degrading lyrics engage in precocious sexual activity, in the result of his study he finds, “In fact,
This response is in the form of an expository essay which may appear at a public blog or a moderated conversation forum. I decided to write an expository piece because it allows for the exploration of ideas in a formal form of writing which is understandable to all types of readers. Its intended audience is the general readership, though it refers to teenagers regularly. This is because the sense of belonging affects everyone, but mostly the teenagers. The key Context idea drawn in the essay is that belonging always comes with a cost, whether it’s forfeiting identity, spending money, losing family or friends.