Tattooing as Self-Mutilation?

A tattoo is no longer considered to be just a decorative body modification that is exclusive to the working class male. Its purpose varies the world over: some people choose to have symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, while others use ink within the layers of their skin to indicate their criminal history and organizational affiliation. Whatever the reason, a tattoo is a permanent marking of the body, giving the individual a physical element of distinction.

The concept of ink can be self-expressive or done as an act of rebellion. The problem is these divisions are blurred: when, for example, does tattooing become self-mutilation? With the tattoo being socially accepted within today's society it would seem that it is becoming increasingly difficult to define the limits of tattooing being a form of depressive thought ventilation.

The mere presence of a tattoo receives a lot of attention from the general public, which can accommodate for a person feeling lost or isolated. Furthermore, the physical pain that accompanies the tattooing process could be considered a method of dealing with one's emotional distress.

The implication that tattooing is a form of self-harm is being examined by Psychologists Anderson and Sansone, for example, discuss the subject in their study 'Tattooing as a Means of Acute Affect Regulation', which makes for fascinating reading. The study of a nineteen year old male results in the synopsis of the tattoo being an indication of an individual's psychological problems; the physical marking from the tattooing process is seen as a form of ventilation hypothesis- a type of medication and an expression that the person needs help.

At times of high stress, individuals with apparent often self-mutilating problems have an inability to think coherently, a frustrating presence anger that they cannot express, and they feel like they're powerless. Physical incision is an act of relief.

If this is the case, then surely the number of tattoos present on an individual's skin will indicate their level of emotional distress. If a person has ten tattoos does this mean that they appear more self-destructive than say a person with just one? Does the count divide the people who want a tattoo purely for body decoration from the people who view the process as having a therapeutic effect?

Either way, permanent tattooing is a practice that involves damaging the layers of the skin; it is a desired scar of a person's thought processes at that particular time. Now, whether the decision to get a tattoo was a result of positive or negative inspirations, only the individual's honesty can be the judge.

On a personal level, I will confess I chose to have a majority of my tattoos done to alleviate my boredom. However, as you will gather from the explanations of my individual designs, I put a lot of thought into each and every one of them beforehand. I'll also admit that, on the whole, my tattoos represent a variety of mood. Furthermore, I gained a sense of satisfaction from the physical pain I went through to get them.

Does that make me a candidate for self-harming, or a philosopher who has too much time on his hands? Probably both, I'd say.