Sociological Significance
Tattooing has been around for thousands of years in many different cultures for both men and women. However, in western society, the acceptance of tattooing is relatively new compared to other cultures. While the stigma against tattooing is quickly waining as tattoos become more mainstream, there is still negativity towards tattoos especially for women.
Tattoos are much more acceptable for men to have creating an obvious gender inequality. Women with tattoos are constantly being looked down upon as if they were second rate. Some men have a problem with a woman that has a tattoo. Men are the ones in power so if they have a problem with women with tattoos than the rest of society will follow.
The reason that the topic of women and tattoos is sociological significant is because it is a microcosm for society as a whole. Women are not treated equal to men and that goes for tattoos as well. Women are expected to uphold ridiculous standards that men are not. Even though women are suppose to suppress their sexuality they are still sexualized by men. If women do have tattoos they are expected to keep them well hidden and to have something considered "feminine." According to society it is not attractive to have a tattoo in plain sight because then women supposedly loose their femininity. When it comes down to it tattoos are just another way that men and women are expected to fulfill traditional gender roles.
With over half of the clientele being women you would think that there would be many female tattoo artists, but that is far from the truth. Out of the many tattoo artists out there, there is a very small number that are women. Female tattoo artist are looked at more for their gender than their tattooing ability. There are some people that refuse to be tattooed by a women only because of their gender. Some women have made it in tattooing thanks to help from media. Artists such as Kat Von D from Miami Ink/LA Ink and Megan Massacre from NY Ink have been made popular thanks to TV, but there are still many female artists that are just as good but have not gotten the recognition they deserve. Looking through tattoo magazine most of the featured artists are men and most of the canvases are men as well.
There are obvious gender inequalities when it comes to women and tattoos. There are definitely double standards for men and women when it comes to tattoos. Women with tattoos are considered unattractive yet promiscuous. They are considered less just because of how they choose to express themselves. While men with tattoos too are subjected to levels of prejudice, women with tattoos are much more likely to face negativity. Even within the tattoo community women artists are not considered as good as their male counterparts solely based on their gender. Even though things are getting better, women with tattoos still face an uphill battle. There is still a long way to go for equality for women with tattoos.
Tattoos are much more acceptable for men to have creating an obvious gender inequality. Women with tattoos are constantly being looked down upon as if they were second rate. Some men have a problem with a woman that has a tattoo. Men are the ones in power so if they have a problem with women with tattoos than the rest of society will follow.
The reason that the topic of women and tattoos is sociological significant is because it is a microcosm for society as a whole. Women are not treated equal to men and that goes for tattoos as well. Women are expected to uphold ridiculous standards that men are not. Even though women are suppose to suppress their sexuality they are still sexualized by men. If women do have tattoos they are expected to keep them well hidden and to have something considered "feminine." According to society it is not attractive to have a tattoo in plain sight because then women supposedly loose their femininity. When it comes down to it tattoos are just another way that men and women are expected to fulfill traditional gender roles.
With over half of the clientele being women you would think that there would be many female tattoo artists, but that is far from the truth. Out of the many tattoo artists out there, there is a very small number that are women. Female tattoo artist are looked at more for their gender than their tattooing ability. There are some people that refuse to be tattooed by a women only because of their gender. Some women have made it in tattooing thanks to help from media. Artists such as Kat Von D from Miami Ink/LA Ink and Megan Massacre from NY Ink have been made popular thanks to TV, but there are still many female artists that are just as good but have not gotten the recognition they deserve. Looking through tattoo magazine most of the featured artists are men and most of the canvases are men as well.
There are obvious gender inequalities when it comes to women and tattoos. There are definitely double standards for men and women when it comes to tattoos. Women with tattoos are considered unattractive yet promiscuous. They are considered less just because of how they choose to express themselves. While men with tattoos too are subjected to levels of prejudice, women with tattoos are much more likely to face negativity. Even within the tattoo community women artists are not considered as good as their male counterparts solely based on their gender. Even though things are getting better, women with tattoos still face an uphill battle. There is still a long way to go for equality for women with tattoos.