Angelina’s inked up, Heidi Klum sports a few, Kelly Ripa’s got a tat on her ankle. Pretty Woman Julia Roberts has a ‘tramp stamp’ on her lower back with her three children’s names. And yes, believe it or not, Octomom even managed some time away from her brood of fourteen to get a tattoo.
Gone are the days when a tattoo signifies biker girl, punk chick, or Goth babe. No longer is a tattoo the stigma of a trashy woman. Women everywhere are getting tattoos and some even later in life. The reasons for marking up their bodies are as diverse as the women who get inked, from a victory over breast cancer, to surviving a divorce, to having children, or to commemorate an occasion.
Summer Martin used to think guys with tattoos were rebellious and bad, and she had no intention of ever getting a tattoo. The daughter of a preacher, and raised as a missionary kid, she married a man with five tattoos and discovered that tattoos do not define the person. After having a difficult time getting pregnant, she gave birth to a daughter, and subsequently got a tattoo of a butterfly (one of her daughter’s first words). She loves the tattoo because it’s symbolic of her daughter. “I would always have my daughter with me,” said Martin, “even when I had to go on business trips.”
It’s not uncommon for moms with tattoos to have gotten one to honor their children. Lizz B., thirty-four, got her first tattoo on her thirtieth birthday. “At that time, I had two kids … I wanted something meaningful, something that would always be meaningful.” Lizz knew she would always and forever be a mother. “No famine, no poorhouse, no nuclear bomb, no gray hair or wrinkles would ever change the fact that I was a mom.” So to commemorate that fact, Lizz opted for the Kanji symbol for ‘mother’ on the top of her foot.
What about the stigma that comes along with a tattoo in the work world? Since Martin has a corporate job, she had her tattoo inked on her shoulder, where it can be covered up in business situations out of respect. Other than in a work environment, Martin never worried much about having a tattoo. “I’m the type of person who is confident enough in myself that what others think won’t bring me down or change my mind.”
Lisa Stamatelos thought that tattoos were big no-nos in the corporate world until her oldest daughter pointed out that they are not as taboo as they once were. She has had mixed reactions from friends. “Some think it’s great and others have told me point blank that it’s tacky and skanky.” But shows like Miami Ink and LA Ink, and celebrities themselves have helped to change the way some people once viewed tattoos. Tattoos can be a creative expression of the person who owns it, and also beautiful displays of art. “Shows on TV have demonstrated the art of tattoos and some celebs have demonstrated the sentimental value of tattoos,” said Wendy Thomas, mother of six and owner of one very inspirational tattoo. “Angelina Jolie’s tattoos with her kids’ places of birth come to mind as sentimental tattoos,” said Thomas.
Thomas, who got her first tattoo at forty-seven, has always wanted to be a writer. Her symbolic tattoo, a black :! on her right wrist, is a reminder to work toward her dream. “I got the tattoo for personal inspiration and as a milestone of my life. I don’t care what others think about it.” Nor does Thomas have a problem with any of her children getting tattoos when they are the legal age of eighteen, provided they discuss it with her first and give consideration as to what type of tattoo they get. “Something to commemorate an event (a birth, a passing, a dream) is far more acceptable than getting a werewolf’s head on your calf because you loved the Twilight series!” she jokes.
