This is obviously going to be a controversial topic, and I'm going to attempt to handle it as diplomatically as possible. However, truth be told, it's a subject that really disturbs me as a parent as well as a body art ally.
I did an article last year about the workplace banning tattoos and piercings on employees. I don't see the significance of students with body art being any different, really. But I wanted to address this directly, for the benefit of educators, parents and school-age kids.
As a mother of 2, I will admit that there needs to be a limit on what is considered appropriate school attire. And even though I absolutely loathe the idea of uniforms, I can accept it as long as the student is allowed to accessorize that uniform in whatever way they see fit.
Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. Once a school has decided to be strict about its dress code, all forms of individuality and self-expression are curtailed as well. Some won't even allow nail polish, let alone a body piercing!
Sign of Rebellion?
On April 20, 1999, two school students opened fire on their classmates and teachers at the now-infamous Columbine High School in Denver. This event led to even greater and more stringent regulating of student attire, to the point of absurdity.
As if Columbine wasn't bad enough, Dr. Timothy Roberts (University of Rochester, NY) did a "study" and concluded that there is a direct link between pierced teens and "risky behavior". With so-called experts like him around, it's no wonder parents get so freaked out when their teen gets pierced.
Terri is the mother of a 13 year-old girl who just got her navel pierced. About the claims that piercings are signs of rebellion, she said, "I can say that such blanket statements are ludicrous...I can't speak for all, but in my case, my daughter is a mature, gifted...girl who is very comfortable and expressive about her own body. She is an honor student. She is artistic and creative, which probably helps explain her being drawn to piercing[s]...It was a beautiful bonding experience when I took her to the parlor to get pierced. I was so proud of her as she overcame her fear and, when it was all over, exclaimed: 'I'm so proud of me!' What a powerful statement from a girl at this age - when life is so confusing and full of insecurities."
On the Other Hand
In my attempt to keep this article diplomatic, allow me to play Devil's advocate for a moment. It is possible that children who are already inclined toward bad behavior may also desire to be pierced and/or tattooed.
It is possible that kids who are already in a gang or trying to get into one will get tattooed or pierced to show support for that gang.
It is also possible that children with a predisposition to rebel might choose to act on that desire by getting tattooed or pierced. Why? Because adults are already against it, which makes it a perfect way to rebel - not because there is anything deviant about bodyart. If adults were opposed to fuzzy bunny slippers, rebellious kids would be wearing them.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that getting tattooed or pierced does not automatically mean a teen is involved in drinking, smoking, drugs, sex, gangs, animal sacrifice or conspiring with extra-terrestrial aliens.
But that doesn't mean parents or schools are going to stop assuming the worst of our kids. And unlike adults, teens don't have the option to walk away from a school that doesn't allow them to be who they are. The next article in this series will deal with what students and parents can do to support each other in this fight for freedom.
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