Mother Accused of Tattooing Children - Freeze-Frame Radio

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

Mother Accused of Tattooing Children

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

I don't think I'd let my kid get a tattoo. But I think it would be okay for a parent to let a teenager (16+) get a tattoo if done by a professional.

But with a homemade tattoo gun with such young children? Absolutely not! That's what temporary tattoos are for! Man, even a Sharpie would be better! Or henna.

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

No tattoos for children. When they are older (17-18), they can make their own decisions and live with the consequences. Even then, it should be done by a qualified professional.

WebGuy · Doesn't Do Windows

I voted "No" But my vote didn't stick.

I think a tattoo should be each individual's choice . . . meaning it should only be the kid's choice, not if or what tattoo the parent wants the kid to have.

Along with that though, if the kid does want it, kids don't understand the permanence of it. They don't think about how things like that may effect their lives later on in adulthood. I think they should have to wait until a certain level of maturity (like 21) is reached before they are able to make those kinds of lasting decisions for themselves.

An eight year old may think right now that a Spongebob tattoo is just what he needs to make his life complete, but in reality that may not be the best future life choice he could make. A tattoo is not like just getting a goofy haircut that will grow back or that can be easily changed when that phase in life is out grown.

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

How about this: Should the parents of these kids be facing child endangerment charges?

I say yes. It's a homemade tattoo gun, for goodness sakes. It takes more than changing the needle to keep it sterile and prevent infection.

Another question I saw on the site: Is this any different than getting a child's ears pierced or cosmetic surgery?

Yes and no. First, with ear piercings, it's not permanent. It's also generally not taboo. But with that being said, I don't think a child who is too young to take care of them after the piercing should have their ears pierced.

Cosmetic surgery should only be performed on children who have been in a serious accident of some sort.

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

I think they should be facing charges as well.

The mother was on TV crying saying she has no idea why this has blown up to be such a big deal.

It would really be no different than if someone forcibly held her down and tatoo'd her. Those kids weren't given a choice.

Mad Mema · Bad Biker Granny

In my opinion, there is precious little reason for anyone to ink a child. About the only circumstance I might see is if it was some indicator of a medical condition, and at that there are better means of conveying the information like Medic-Alert necklaces or bracelets.

Kids 16+ yrs are a slightly different story in my book. While some of them are mature and thoughtful enough to make an intelligent and informed decision, others are not. That is a hard thing for the law to judge. In most cases I would say that anyone under 18 should wait.

As for home tattooing... bad idea in my book at any age. Such things should be done by a professional in a clean environment where the health department does regular checks.

Ruby · The Good Witch Of The South

Heck NO! I had a friend of mine who told me that she was glad her mom never pierced her ears when she was young, so she could make a choice. And at 30 her ears still are not poerced. With a tattoo, the parent's choice is more permanent. Like MZ said, you can take earrings out a tattoo is not so easy.

ghostdancer · Ghost In The Machine

As far as just any parent tattooing their child, I vote no. However, if the parent does this for a living in a business and their child wishes to have a tat, then I think it would be ok for the parent to go ahead and do it.....BUT I don't mean 7 or 10 year old kids either.....more like 15 or 16.

In MI, a child under the age of 18 can be tattooed with parent consent. The parent MUST accompany the minor child to the place of business, provide ID, and sign the paper in person in front of the person who will be doing the tat. Same rules for ear piercings.

My oldest girl wanted a tat since she was 15. I refused to sign, told her she had to wait until she was 18 and could sign for herself. I explained that a tat should be considered permanent.....told her sometimes they can be removed, but it is expensive to have it removed and painful too. I also told her to never have anyone's name or picture tattooed on her body, to make sure the tat was exactly what she wanted, and to choose carefully where the tat would go. I also recommended 2 places of business to her, and told her if she got one at 18 to go to either of those but nowhere else.....these 2 businesses are top-notch, everything is sanitary, and the guys know their art/trade. Two weeks after her 18th birthday, she got her first tat. It's very tasteful, concealed most of the time by clothes (it's on her lower back, runs across her spine.....OUCH!!), and I must say I like what she had put on. She got her second tat last summer.....it's on the inside of her forearm. This one is visible most times, but again, it's tasteful and well-done. She thinks she's done getting tats now.

My youngest daughter also wants to get tats. She has wanted two inter-twining flaming swords running the length of both arms since she's been 10. She has a picture of what she wants on her body pinned up on the bulletin board in her room. Granted, the pic is cool looking, but I think this type of a tat is better suited to a guy's body than a girl's. I'm hoping she'll change her mind about this one. hmm

disco strangler · Smiles everyone, smiles!

I voted no.

I'm not against tattoos. I think some people carry them off very well, and some of the work is art.

The prefrontal cortex of the brain is not completely developed until around the age of 25. This area of the brain is responsible for planning and problem solving, and also communicates with the areas of the brain that are involved with emotion and impulse.

Understanding this, I see why so many young (adults?) people want tattoos. And knowing me, if I was young now, I would likely have (at least) one tattoo. I don't think I'm being a hypocrite; I just see how hindsight is 20/20.

I don't understand why a parent would ink their child. Her justification is that they are her children. Ok, yes -- but they are not cattle.
hmm

Mad Mema · Bad Biker Granny

People have all kinds of dumb ideas about raising their kids. Little kids want all manor of things, but that doesn't mean they SHOULD have them.

For the record, I don't even particularly agree with parents getting their babies ears pierced even though the holes can close up later. In my opinion, all such things are very personal choices and should be made by the individual themselves, when they are mature enough and informed enough to make such decisions.