Acceptance of Tattooing Because many diverse groups of people get tattoos, most people have many misconceptions of the individual meanings behind them. “Most tattooed people see their tattoos as unique aspects of themselves, but sociologists who study tattooing focus on group patterns and overall trends. They examine the influence media and consumer culture and the influence of gender, sexuality, race, and class on ‘body politics’” (Kang, Jones). There is no sole explanation for the increasing popularity of tattoos, but there are many reasons. Researchers find that people use tattoos to express who they are, what they have lived through, and how they see themselves in relation to others and to their social worlds (Kang, Jones). Though the popularity of tattoos continues to rise, so do the misconceptions. The culture of tattooing is more than it used to be. Tattooing has evolved into a form of mainstream art, whereas it used to be only a form of cultural expression. Tattooing has been practiced by all cultures for thousands of years. Depending on the culture, men, women, and children would go through tattooing rituals. Various cultures believe that having certain tattoos and body piercings makes it easier for souls to transition into a life after this. Certain cultural groups even believe that they may gain a higher incarnation when they sell their tattoos in heaven (“Tattoos”). The first illustration of cultural tattoos dates back four thousand years ago to the ancient Egyptian. Many female mummies were found with puncture tattoos. The Japanese proved to be another example of cultural tattooing. The Japanese obtained full-body tattoos and were noted for their facial tattooing. They acquired these facial tattoos for the purpose of frightening and intimidating their enemies (“Tattoos”). These uses of tattoos give an insight on tattooing as a cultural expression in the past. Tattooing is now used for many different functions such as religious purposes, an indication of certain status changes or accomplishment, to show an experience, for medical reasons, as identification marks, to signify membership in sacred organizations, or even as body art (“Tattoos”). The wide range acceptance of tattooing began with the earlier twentieth century women. Women began to use tattooing as a way to have permanent makeup. They used tattoos to obtain eyeliner, cheek blush, and even colored lips (“Tattoos”). This use of tattooing is simple and almost unnoticeable, but it showed that the stigmas surrounding tattoos were loosening. The acceptance of tattooing did not stop here. Women’s interest in tattooing continued to increase in the United States, starting in the 1960s (Kang, Jones). Today, almost half of tattooed people are women. Women get tattoos to win control over their own bodies. They also use tattoos to explore ways to define themselves. Women defy and reproduce usual standards of femininity by getting tattoos (Kang, Jones). While women get tattoos to present a solid way of challenging traditional gender norms, teenagers use tattoos as a way to enforce their independence. Since the 1980’s, teenagers have accepted tattooing. Teenagers altered the stigmas of tattooed people from that of criminals to that of artists and free thinkers. Teenagers are at an age where they strive to assert their independence. Tattoos give them a means to accomplish that. Tattoos are also a way to give young people feelings of greater control and authority over their own lives (Kang, Jones). Teenagers and young adults often view tattoos as a right of passage (Jordan). Tattoos mark certain events in a teen’s life, like maturity. Men, women, and teenager’s acceptance of tattooing did not just happen out of nowhere. There are many things in today’s society that help the world of tattooing. The popularity of tattooing stems from tattoos becoming more mainstream (Jordan). This growing popularity can be attributed to television (Keel). There are many television