Tattoos and piercings: How young is too young? Psychologists say kids younger than 18 are often not

[EmperorScorpious]

[QUOTE](CNN) -- Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's 11-year-old daughter, Willow, was recently given a tongue-lashing on social media after posting a [url=http://web.stagram.com/p/220478201053903404_10965573]picture of herself sporting a tongue piercing on Instagram.[/url]

asapniceee: "She is too young for such a provocative piercing. Why would her parents let her pierce her tongue?"

tiffaneybabeyy : "At your age, Willow, I don't think a piercing should be on you, especially there."

mariajx91: "Maybe you should stop rushing to grow up Willow. It looks trashy. You're 11, and that doesn't look good at any age to be honest. Hope it's fake."

Though she later revealed that it was in fact a fake, magnetic tongue ring, people were already whipping their opinions back and forth about whether young people are too vulnerable to make permanent (or potentially scarring) decisions about their bodies. The issue: What is classified as "too young"?
While the battle over body modification typically occurs between parents and their children, state legislatures have entered the conversation as well.

In June, Jerry Garrison, a Florida grandfather, lost custody of his 10-year-old grandson after allowing him to get a tattoo of his initials on his right leg. A "family tradition," according to Garrison.

Under Florida law, a person younger than 16 years old cannot be tattooed except "for medical or dental reasons," and anyone age 16 to 18 can be tattooed only with the consent of a parent or guardian.

That law was changed in January 2012; it had previously allowed tattooing under the age of 16 so long as the minor had parental consent.

Most states allow tattoos and body piercings for children under the age of majority, which is 18 years old in most of the United States, with parental consent. Though, some have tightened restrictions.

In Idaho, "No person shall knowingly tattoo, brand or perform body piercing on any minor under the age of fourteen (14) years."

In South Carolina, anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited from being tattooed. If a person is 18, a parent can give consent, but anyone under 18 is prohibited from ink of any type.

And in Minnesota, it is unlawful for anyone under age 18 to receive a tattoo without written parental consent.

Child development experts contacted by CNN agree with this age of majority for permanent body modification in young adults, but also assert age is but a number; maturity level is a much better parameter to go by.

Psychiatrist Daniel Bober, an assistant clinical professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University, says it helps to look at a child's functioning in other areas of their life, such as school and peer relationships.

"The brain of a young person is still developing and they are less risk averse, more impulsive, and more likely to engage in risky behaviors," says Bober.

"This is because the last part of the brain to develop is the part that tells them to 'put the brakes on' before they do something potentially harmful and dangerous."

It's also permanent, adds Victoria Pitts-Taylor, a professor of sociology at the City University of New York and author of "In the Flesh: the Cultural Politics of Body Modification."

"Tattoos, for example, have some style credibility because they reflect a willingness to 'trade in skin.' They are thus a Catch-22 for young people," says Pitts-Taylor.

"The aesthetic commitment they require probably extends too far into a young person's future -- how will they know they will be the sort of person to like it when they are 30, 40 or 50? But that risk is exactly what makes them appealing."

Hillary Kevilus recognizes that aesthetic commitment now, but it was a different story when she got her first tattoo at the age of 15.

"I had just broken up with my boyfriend, 'the love of my life,' and it's a heart with a dagger through it on my right calf. It's huge and it's a horrible reminder of a painful childhood and bad teenage decisions," Kevilus shares on CNN's Facebook page.

John A. Haynes, however, says those reminders are exactly why he doesn't regret his decision to get his first tattoo at age 17.

"I don't regret my tattoos. Each one reminds me of where I was at certain stages off my life, and my mindset. It's like keeping a scrapbook, only on my body and not collecting dust on a shelf somewhere taking up space," he says via Facebook.

Piercing ears is socially acceptable in America, especially for girls, in contrast to earlobe stretching or tongue rings, like Smith's, that are far less common.

In some Spanish and Latino cultures, it's customary to pierce a baby girl's ears shortly after they're born.

"Children's bodies are especially susceptible to this kind of social policing. We allow them to modify their bodies to some degree so long as they do not step outside the norm; we see it as our jobs to bring them up as social ideals," she says.

Pitts-Taylor says the double standard ultimately adds to the appeal for minors.

"Children are very good at detecting this kind of hypocrisy."

Dr. Timothy M. Jochen, of Contour Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Southern California, says he sees tattoo removal patients as early as their twenties now. The three main motivators are relationships, work and motherhood.

Cassandra Martins got her first -- and only -- tattoo when she was 15 with her mother's consent, and already began to regret it a few years later when she entered college. She has since undergone laser tattoo removal.

"Nobody under 18 knows what he or she wants forever. I cringe when I hear young people talk about inking themselves. I don't (think) the concept of 'permanent' or 'forever' resonates well with the young," she says.

"I don't see laser tattoo removal as a body-changing procedure; I see it as restoring a person," says Jochen. Unless it is a quality-of-life procedure like gastric bypass, he, like Bober and Pitts-Taylor, also thinks it's best for young adults to wait to have any body-changing procedures until they're of legal age.

It's ultimately not what the young people are doing, but why.

"It is important for young people to develop what is on the inside and then what other people see will not matter as much," says Bober. "At the end of the day, you have to feel good about who you are and often a cosmetic change will not fix what is underneath."[/QUOTE]

Source: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/06/living/too-young-tattoo/index.html?hpt=hp_c3[/url]

[asteroidrules]

My cousin's not gonna like this.

I never understood why people do that stuff anyway.

[A White Guy]

Willow Smith scares me

[quote]Amy Turner
She looks like a little boy.[/quote]

[Intenso]

I'm 18 and I really want to get tattoos and piercings myself, but I frankly think it's a better idea to wait until one is in their 20s and grown into themselves before getting into body modification, hence why I'd still rather just wait a couple years

[Download]

Meh, unless it's a permanent thing, such as a tattoo, I couldn't give a shit.

Pierce all you want

[monkey11]

[QUOTE=download;36672194]Meh, unless it's a permanent thing, such as a tattoo, I couldn't give a shit.

Pierce all you want[/QUOTE]

How do you feel about gauges then?

My girlfriend is about to enroll in a tattoo school, and I am fully supportive of it, but back in high school I saw so many stupid tattoos, I kinda agree with the article. One guy apparently went to the tattoo parlor with $20 and got whatever $20 could buy. Walked out with the ugliest grim reaper ive ever seen. Another guy has both a big wooden cross and goku on his arms.

[cqbcat]

Kids do stupid stuff when they're that age, stupid stuff modifying their bodies. They'll regret it when they get older and develop their tastes.

In other news, water is still wet.

[Peachy]

[QUOTE=monkey11;36672338]How do you feel about gauges then?

My girlfriend is about to enroll in a tattoo school, and I am fully supportive of it, but back in high school I saw so many stupid tattoos, I kinda agree with the article. One guy apparently went to the tattoo parlor with $20 and got whatever $20 could buy. Walked out with the ugliest grim reaper ive ever seen. Another guy has both a big wooden cross and goku on his arms.[/QUOTE]

Gauges are a measurement, not a type of earring.

[Hail Satan]

screw piercing and tattoos, I want to get my tongue split

[IMG]http://i.cubeupload.com/R2cACv.gif[/IMG]

[JumpinJackFlash]

I don't understand how you could even begin to consider the emotional clusterfuck that is a teenager mature enough to cross the street unaided. I remember what it was like, I was a fucking retard and so was everyone else my age.

Tattoos and piercings are pretty permanent, and removal will leave you a scar in some form. It's a decision best left until you're legally an adult.

[Hail Satan]

[QUOTE=JumpinJackFlash;36672440]I don't understand how you could even begin to consider the emotional clusterfuck that is a teenager mature enough to cross the street unaided. I remember what it was like, I was a fucking retard and so was everyone else my age.

Tattoos and piercings are pretty permanent, and removal will leave you a scar in some form. It's a decision best left until you're legally an adult.[/QUOTE]

tongue and ear piercings are pretty innocuous though.

[Lachz0r]

i think it's fine how it works at the moment, need parental consent if you're under 18. it's their bodies and it's their business what they do with em

[The Baconator]

this thread is making my skin crawl

[monkey11]

[QUOTE=Mr. Smartass;36672428]Gauges are a measurement, not a type of earring.[/QUOTE]

I understand that, but the common vernacular has turned "gauges" into a term that refers to a piercing that they consider large.

[Pelican]

in my most humble opinion, people who get piercings on anything other than their nose or ears are stupid. sure it's their own body and they can do whatever they want with it, but they're just stupid. the fuck is the point of getting your tongue or anywhere else pierced? oh and bellybuttons are okay too, i suppose.

now tattoos are a different story.

again, it's their own body and they can do whatever they want with their body, but the VAST majority of people who get tattoos are utter retards. do they do it to be cool? do they do it to be hip? or, god forbid, they do it because they want to actually permanently put some stupid phrase or image on their bodies? god knows.

if you're gonna get a tattoo, put it somewhere where people aren't going to notice it. hell, don't get one at all, don't defile your body.

and getting back on topic: anyone under 18 with a tattoo should be shot, and their parents should also be shot. not quite the same with piercings, but heavy shames and judgemental looks should be had at the parents who let their kids get unusual piercings (not ears)

[monkey11]

[QUOTE=Pelican;36672709]in my most humble opinion, people who get piercings on anything other than their nose or ears are stupid. sure it's their own body and they can do whatever they want with it, but they're just stupid. the fuck is the point of getting your tongue or anywhere else pierced? oh and bellybuttons are okay too, i suppose.

now tattoos are a different story.

again, it's their own body and they can do whatever they want with their body, but the VAST majority of people who get tattoos are utter retards. do they do it to be cool? do they do it to be hip? or, god forbid, they do it because they want to actually permanently put some stupid phrase or image on their bodies? god knows.

if you're gonna get a tattoo, put it somewhere where people aren't going to notice it. hell, don't get one at all, don't defile your body.

and getting back on topic: anyone under 18 with a tattoo should be shot, and their parents should also be shot. not quite the same with piercings, but heavy shames and judgemental looks should be had at the parents who let their kids get unusual piercings (not ears)[/QUOTE]
Yeah and Rock n' Roll is Satan channeling himself through music.

[editline]8th July 2012[/editline]

But seriously, if you think like this, than you fail to grasp the point of tattoos at all, and your an extremist nut thinking kids should be shot.

[asteroidrules]

[QUOTE=Pelican;36672709]in my most humble opinion, people who get piercings on anything other than their nose or ears are stupid. sure it's their own body and they can do whatever they want with it, but they're just stupid. the fuck is the point of getting your tongue or anywhere else pierced? oh and bellybuttons are okay too, i suppose.

now tattoos are a different story.

again, it's their own body and they can do whatever they want with their body, but the VAST majority of people who get tattoos are utter retards. do they do it to be cool? do they do it to be hip? or, god forbid, they do it because they want to actually permanently put some stupid phrase or image on their bodies? god knows.

if you're gonna get a tattoo, put it somewhere where people aren't going to notice it. hell, don't get one at all, don't defile your body.

and getting back on topic: anyone under 18 with a tattoo should be shot, and their parents should also be shot. not quite the same with piercings, but heavy shames and judgemental looks should be had at the parents who let their kids get unusual piercings (not ears)[/QUOTE]

The nose? I'd say the whole nose/eyes/mouth area is about the worst place to put a piercing.
Also I know you weren't being serious, but I still feel I should say wouldn't shoot someone over something like that.

[Mrs. Moon]

Yeah, 18 is a little too young... I've had some friends get some really really nice tattoos but will look absolutely horrendous when they age past their late 20s if they don't age well.
Personally, I'd never get a tattoo unless it had my (Hopefully) future children's names on it or something that is VERY important to me. Something I'd never change or regret. But even then I like my clear skin and all it's pureness.
Piercings though, they make my skin crawl so bad. People with multiple piercings give me chills and I have no idea why. I'd hate to sound like a dick but girls with large noticeable piercings just seem dirty to me. And no, not in a sexual way. As in literally dirty. Like a truck-stop hooker. Minus the hooker part because that'd be a terrible generalization.

[FreakyMe]

[QUOTE=Mrs. Moon;36672846]Yeah, 18 is a little too young... I've had some friends get some really really nice tattoos but will look absolutely horrendous when they age past their late 20s if they don't age well.
Personally, I'd never get a tattoo unless it had my (Hopefully) future children's names on it or something that is VERY important to me. Something I'd never change or regret. But even then I like my clear skin and all it's pureness.
Piercings though, they make my skin crawl so bad. People with multiple piercings give me chills and I have no idea why. I'd hate to sound like a dick but girls with large noticeable piercings just seem dirty to me. And no, not in a sexual way. As in literally dirty. Like a truck-stop hooker. Minus the hooker part because that'd be a terrible generalization.[/QUOTE]

How high are you?

[Intenso]

[QUOTE=FreakyMe;36672941][QUOTE=Mrs. Moon;36672846]Yeah, 18 is a little too young... I've had some friends get some really really nice tattoos but will look absolutely horrendous when they age past their late 20s if they don't age well.
Personally, I'd never get a tattoo unless it had my (Hopefully) future children's names on it or something that is VERY important to me. Something I'd never change or regret. But even then I like my clear skin and all it's pureness.
Piercings though, they make my skin crawl so bad. People with multiple piercings give me chills and I have no idea why. I'd hate to sound like a dick but girls with large noticeable piercings just seem dirty to me. And no, not in a sexual way. As in literally dirty. Like a truck-stop hooker. Minus the hooker part because that'd be a terrible generalization.[/QUOTE]
How high are you?[/QUOTE]
how high are [I]you[/I]?

'cause I'm pretty up there

[SquidsEye]

Most people regret half the decisions they made when they were under 18, this sounds about right to me.

[Lord of Ears]

i absolutely hate this stereotype that nobody under 18 is mature

[Franke_R!?]

[QUOTE=LoLWaT?;36672824]I don't really care about the piercings as much as I do tattoos.

If you're going to be a fucking retard and get one, atleast get it in an area that's barely noticeable.(Which kind of defeats the purpose of getting a tattoo but whatever.)

I just love thinking about how those people (People who cover their bodies in tattoos) will look in their 60s +.[/QUOTE]

I don't know man, 60+ people with tattoos can look pretty cool depending on how well they took care of their body.

[editline]awd[/editline]

[QUOTE=Lord of Ears;36673543]i absolutely hate this stereotype that nobody under 18 is mature[/QUOTE]

That is why the title has the word [I]often[/I] in it.

[GeneralFredrik]

[QUOTE=LoLWaT?;36672824]If you're going to be a fucking retard and get one, atleast get it in an area that's barely noticeable.(Which kind of defeats the purpose of getting a tattoo but whatever.)

I just love thinking about how those people (People who cover their bodies in tattoos) will look in their 60s +.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Pelican;36672709]people who get piercings on anything other than their nose or ears are stupid.

but the VAST majority of people who get tattoos are utter retards.

and getting back on topic: anyone under 18 with a tattoo should be shot, and their parents should also be shot. not quite the same with piercings, but heavy shames and judgemental looks should be had at the parents who let their kids get unusual piercings (not ears)[/QUOTE]

Great, so my family who has done both tatoos and piercings (as well as my gf) are retards/idiots who should be shot? Thanks a lot.

Oh, by the way? You two are the biggest sperglords EVER. Have you ever talked to anyone who has a tatoo? I severly doubt it since you can't even comprehend why anyone would ever get one.

[Lord of Ears]

[QUOTE=Franke_R!?;36673610]That is why the title has the word [I]often[/I] in it.[/QUOTE]

read the thread, view FP's opinion on teenagers

[Franke_R!?]

[QUOTE=Lord of Ears;36673661]read the thread, view FP's opinion on teenagers[/QUOTE]

I can't take Facepunch serious, you are all too funny.

[NoDachi]

I agree. Under 18 is far too young for shit like tattoos.

I got mine in my 20s.

[TonyP]

I got my left ear pierced when i was like 9.

[Pelican]

[QUOTE=asteroidrules;36672777]The nose? I'd say the whole nose/eyes/mouth area is about the worst place to put a piercing.
Also I know you weren't being serious, but I still feel I should say wouldn't shoot someone over something like that.[/QUOTE]

so everytime you've said "i'd kill for x" you would actually KILL something for that particular object? obviously I wouldn't literally shoot them

[QUOTE=GeneralFredrik;36673617]Great, so my family who has done both tatoos and piercings (as well as my gf) are retards/idiots who should be shot? Thanks a lot.

Oh, by the way? You two are the biggest sperglords EVER. Have you ever talked to anyone who has a tatoo? I severly doubt it since you can't even comprehend why anyone would ever get one.[/QUOTE]

'sperglord'

i can't comprehend why anyone would ever get one, yes, if you want to have a pretty picture somewhere, get a poster

[7331]

I'd rather keep my body vanilla so no thanks.