Tattoos - the Other Side of the Story

The other day I wrote a post about a Master Mason in California, Bro. Roni Zulu, who has made quite a name for himself as a tattoo artist. In that post I talk about the importance of creativity and expression, even if it's something we don't necessarily agree with. As I suspected, I made "Dad" Labagh cringe a little, but he did understand where I was coming from and the reasoning behind the post. However, he requested that I write a piece about the decision making process as it relates to tattoos - offering a counter argument, per se.

The first thing you should take a look at comes from "The Art of Manliness Blog - Think Before You Ink." Take a moment to check it out. We'll be here.

Okay, obviously the post isn't trying to dissuade someone from getting a tattoo, but rather enjoins them to really think the decision through and to make sure that they are making a good choice. No one can argue with that advice. If you are going to permanently change your physical appearance, you need to really think that decision out, as it's hard to reverse.

"But, you can get tattoos removed!", you cry. Why yes, yes you can. However, the reality of tattoo removal is much more painful that most people realize. Not only will it cause you personal discomfort, but it will also set you back a pretty penny. Tattoos are relatively cheap to have done, but removal costs can be multiple times more to get removed. This is just another point to consider when making your decision.

The other piece of this equation, at least for young people, is parental involvement. Some young folks go get tattoos and think that they can hide them from their parents. First of all, at least from a DeMolay perspective, this is very disrespectful and flies in the face of our first Precept - Filial Love. You can't and shouldn't try to hide this kind of life decision from your parents. Even if you don't agree, it's best to consult them and let them know what you are thinking.

So, if you want a tattoo, what should you do? We recommend that you sit down and create a pros and cons list. Weigh all of the options and share it with your parents. Taking time to make the right decision can only benefit you in the long run.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony