AS of 2012, the South African Police Service adopted a policy that no official police members may have visible tattoos.
This policy was apparently adopted with the belief that people find tattoos threatening.
And, whether you agree with the policy or not, it does put some aspiring police officers in somewhat of a quandary considering the number of people sporting quite visible tattoos these days.
Prevalence of tattoos
According to a study by Statista, the 30-to-39 age group has more tattoos than any other age group with more than 50% of 30-somethings with one or more tattoos in 2015 – up 28% from 2003.
In the 18-to-24 age group, 35% had tattoos.
According to STAPAW (Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work), 42% of all Americans have tattoos.
The numbers are likely to be much higher now, except tattoos are not always visible.
A 2010 study by the Pew Research Center 2010 found that 72% people with tattoos said they are hidden from view.
Often it’s quite tough to stop at one.
The Statista survey found that 30% of Americans have two or three tattoos, while 19% have four or five, 13% have up to 10, 6% have 11 to 20 tattoos and 2% have more than 20 tattoos.
According to a Huffington Post piece, tattoos have been around almost as long as we have, although finding its specific origins is quite difficult.
Scientific evidence indicates that tattoos have been in existence for thousands of years, with carbon dating of mummified remains dating back 5 300 years, shows 57 tattoos from the neck to ankles.
They are an important part of cultural identity around the globe – in New Guinea it could indicate family lineage; in Cambodia it shows religious beliefs; in Los Angeles and the streets of Cape Town, it could denote gang affiliation.
Although maybe three decades ago, tattoos were reserved for sailors, gang members and prisoners, the modern tattoo can be found on anyone from a salesman to a policeman (not visibly, of course)!
Social media and pop culture
But how did this happen? Well arguably television and the internet have played a large role in normalising the idea of getting inked.
In around 2005, the first tattoo television show, Miami Ink, was launched.
The popularity of this show saw it run for six seasons and create many spin-offs, bringing with it a new type of celebrity. Tattoos went from lower class to high society, an artistic way to express one’s individuality.
Social media, too, provided a platform to showcase the latest artwork by celebrity inkers to millions of fans.
The tattoo artists became celebrities and attracted celebrities.
Rihanna, David Beckham, Angelina Jolie, and Adam Levine flocked to them for the skilled artwork. Pop stars like Justin Bieber (56+ tattoos) and Ed Sheeran (80+) continue to increase the popularity of tattoos.
But where to now?
The truth is, tattoos have risen and fallen in popularity for centuries. Winston Churchill’s mother – Lady Randolph Churchill – famously had a snake tattoo around her wrist.
We are constantly seeking ways to showcase how unique we are, to display our individuality, but inevitably this becomes a trend and the opposite is true. Nowadays you’re more original for not having a tattoo than actually having one.
According to David McComb, the author of ‘100 Years of Tattoos’, said: ‘Whereas my generation would think about it for a long time, young people don’t think twice about going to get a tattoo. They have a more relaxed attitude towards body art and, if they don’t like it in a few years, they’ll just get something else to cover it up.’
He predicts that the current popularity is unlikely to last, and said that, if he had enough money, he’d invest in a tattoo removal machine: ‘I think it’s something that’s going to become very, very popular over the next few years.’
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