why have tattoos become so mainstream?

Tattooing has had one hell of a trip from its first American beginnings coming from the navy and such to the popular trend of today. I am an artist, and personally feel that everyone should have a tattoo, but I can see your reasoning for asking this question. I believe a large amount of the popularity can be attributed to the success of the tattoo shows such as LA and Miami Ink, but by no means is this the only reason. The general public, I feel, has become much more open minded. Tattoos aren't just for the people who want to portray a dark or rebellious image. With the advancement in technology, tattoos can now be done to a much higher standard. You have color portrait artists like Nikko Hurtado and jaw dropping realism you find from Robert Hernandez. Tattoos aren't what they used to be, and I feel as though most people are starting to realize that they aren't quite so taboo. My advice to you if you wish to be different is to go to custom shops where you aren't just picking things off of a wall and really get a piece that is unique and fitting to you. The people who are in the industry primarily for the art or the beautification or simply love for body modification are still finding ways to maintain an individuality. There is a big difference between people like that and your average college kid looking to rebel.

Alright, first, I vote for what MrNiceguy said. That was really well put.

However, I'll also add a little bit. I think you're generalizing a little bit, and missing the bigger point. It's not that grunge, whatever, is the thing now (that was the thing in the 90's), tattoos are the thing. On the one hand, it is a lot safer now, and I think that was holding a lot of people back. On the other hand, our generation, while perhaps more polarized, is on the whole, more liberal than the preceding generations, not that they didn't rock some great ink. Next, I think you have to consider that tattoos have transcended the sort of niche markets they once belonged to (sailors, bikers, "bad" boys). All of the armed forces have embraced them. And given the spate of wars experienced in the last century, you had a lot more men and women enlisting for a short time to do their duty, before going back to regular jobs. This, I think, had something to do with the proliferation of tattoos. Nowadays, fraternities of all sorts embrace tattoos.

Also, I think you need to consider that today's teens and early twenty-somethings (the largest age group to be tattooed currently) is faced with a whole different lifestyle and set of ideals, values, and priorities than their predecessors were faced with. The level and quality of education is different, the social activities are different, the cliques are pretty much the same, but they've been re-shaped and re-defined for the 21st century. My dear ex-husband likes to think that a lot of people are more shallow now, than they once were, early on in life, and that their choice in tattoos reflects that. I don't know if it's true across the board, but I can certainly see an example or two among my friends.

So I think, all of this together, along with the wild success of reality tv in general, and tattoo-centric shows specifically, have made it so that tattoos and the tattoo culture are a lot more accessible to a very wide range of people. Sort of like cooking. And like cooking, no matter how many aprons are out there, the proof of the passion is in the results. So, embrace that, and if you want die hard tattoo buddies, look for the ones with the great, detailed artwork by dedicated and masterful artists, and the ones whose artwork has history and interesting background, and avoid the fluffy bunnies who need no description.

And damn, I didn't know you could actually write that much in one of these fields. Sorry for the novel!

Tattoos if they're not yet main stream will be soon. Not full on sleeves and face tattoos, but that cute little heart just above the boob or that manly tattoo on the upper arm. Ear piercings are definitely main stream. Belly buttons and single nostril piercings acceptable. Gauges, eyebrows, tongues and lips have a way to go yet. Multiple piercings other than ears are still risque as are "multiple" visible tattoos depending on their size location and subject matter.

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RE:

why have tattoos become so mainstream?

I mean really i have always wanted them to be different and not like anyones else but now EVERYONE had them just like crazy peircings....its really annoying! Since when did being grunge/different/darker become the thing? I mean really?

Why Are Tattoos So Popular

I dont think grunge/darkness is the trend with tattoos... I have plenty of tattoos and I wouldn't consider myself grunge or anything like that... Our generation which is more open minded than say your grandparents generation has accepted tattoos as personal expression and actual forms of art. Sure there are people that get ink just because... but for some people its a tribute, or remembrance, or simply just a canvas to express their self. Ink & piercings dont define a person, a persons personality, and how they are precieved makes them different.

Tattoos have become so mainstream because the same reason Chuck Taylors did, BECAUSE PEOPLE MAKE THEM NON COOL!

You can get really cool Different tatoos, But to really be different, dont get any at all, I plan on getting at least 3 HUGE ones, One On my back that is gonna cost anywhere from $500-$700 and then i am getting one on each Rib cage,

Tattoos shops are every where cause that is the new thing. people can be who they want now with out some one saying "Look at them" in the bad way. People are getting tattoos cause no one cares if you have them.

If it's annoying to you, then stop looking.

I have lots of tattoos and a few piercings and I didn't do it because it's mainstream, I did it because it's what I wanted to do.

Since when did griping about something that's none of your business became the thing?

Everyone that gets a tattoo is just following the crowd. Like sheep. Tattooing is for posers. The only tattoo I would promote is "do not resuscitate" on your chest. Then at least there would be one less tabooed freak in the world.