We are now in the 21st century and teenagers and adults alike agree that appearances can be deceiving. It is a norm to accept the fact that it is never wise to judge someone by their looks. It is also common known fact that 95 percent of the time, assumptions never turn out as expected.
Teenagers in the new millennium discover new ways and means to express their true character. Many are tired of being judged through their appearances. As a result, they resort to numerous methods of expressing their true character.
One popular method is through art; art through drawing, painting, and music. But this was not enough. Adolescents pursued a more permanent and flamboyant way to show the world their true selves.
Consequently, this thirst for self-expression and self-worth led to thousands of teenage boys and girls into the parlor of tattoo artists around the country.
Our little island’s teen population has also been effected with the need for self-expression and self-worth. In an interview with a San Antonio tattoo artist known as “Sonny” said that he has received numerous customers who still attended high school at the time they requested for a tattoo. He would check for identification to verify their age because it is illegal to obtain a tattoo under the age of 18 without the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
Parents definitely had something to say about this type of “art.” Francine Ada, parent of a student attending Saipan Southern High School, disclosed to the Variety that her son received his first tattoo a few months ago.
“He just turned 18 so I allowed him to get one. If he were still 17, I would not have allowed him to scar his skin that way. In my opinion, it is ugly and permanent but it’s my son’s way of expressing himself so I let him do it,” said Ada who added that her son imprinted her name above the tribal image he tattooed over his upper right arm.
Her son, who declined to be identified, said the process of getting a tattoo is painful but claims his artwork depicts who he is and the struggles he’s been through which will remain on his body forever. He believes leaving a lasting impression in his life is important.
The SSHS student advises his peers against getting a tattoo unless the tattoo will have a lasting meaning because it will leave a permanent mark, after all.
