Pros and cons of tattoo for a 14 year old?

Ok so I know you are tired of hearing that you are too young for a tatoo, but you are. I am not going to tell you why you shouldnt ever get one but I do think it would be a good idea to wait. You are at an age when people tend to be very spontaneaous and just want to run out a get something because they think it is cool. I bet you probably watch Miami or L.A. Ink and see all the beautiful tats those artists do. I have to admit I love both of those shows and have seen a couple tats I wouldnt mind having! Well not all tatoo parlors are like that and not all artists are that good. When you do get one you want to make sure that you have an idea of what you want and be picky about where you go. Basicly what I am saying is wait until you know exactly what you want and know exactly where you want to go and who you want to do it. I have a tattoo and I dont regret getting it but I wish I did a little more research. I paid way to much for what I got. That is another thing to think about. Tattoos are not cheap. As for your parents there probably isnt any way your going to convice them. Sorry, I know you dont want to hear that. You probably will have to wait till your 18. In the end it is your body and noone can tell you whether or not you should get one. It is your decision but unfortunately for you I think even if your parents decide to give you permission you probably will still have to wait at least 2 years. Until then I would keep an eye out for a design that you absolutely love and know you could live with for the rest of your life! I hope my answer helps and doesn't discourage you too much! Good Luck and God Bless!

I know you don't want to hear it, but I think you should wait until you're 18. Reasons being: 1) Your taste will change; what you might like now could be totally different by the time you're 18. You might hate what you got now. 2) No consent. Enough said. 3) I think you will love your tattoo more if it's a decision you can make on your own, and something you can do on your own. The symbolism of individuality and dependence is much stronger when you have the ability to decide that you can do something like that without someone else's consent. I have two tattoos - and I love them. They are little, but they were something I decided on, on my own. I was 18, my parents had no say, didn't know anything about my decision. I think that made the reason behind my tattoos much stronger, knowing this was something I did really want because I didn't have to ask someone if I could get it. Does that make sense? If you do get a tattoo, really think about your design. Don't decide on something just to decide on something. You will have this on your body forever (which is a scary thought!). Make sure it has meaning and it's something that you will relate to when your 80 and wrinkly :)

What you think you want at 14 and what you want at 18 or 20 is completely different. I know it doesn't seem that way now but think about this; If you are absolutely certain that you want a specific tattoo now, you will still want the same one when you turn 18. You may as well wait until you don't have to worry about convincing your parents to let you get one. I have 4 tattoos....I wanted one when I was about your age, but I didn't get my first one til I was 25. Looking back, I am really glad I waited. Don't be in such a hurry. You'll be glad you waited because it will mean all that much more to you....heck, you could even make it an 18th birthday present to yourself. And by the way Jewelia, I'm an Administrative Assistant for the President, Vice-President and Accounting Manager of an advertising company.....you can still be a professional when you have tattoos....

Sorry my dear, but even if you can convince your parents (and im thinking, you cant), you wont be able to get tattooed for another 4 years. No tattoo artist is going to take on tattooing a minor because of all the possible lawsuits he could become involved in. I love tattoos but I cant think of a single pro for a 14 year old getting tattooed, but I can think of a few cons. I know right now you think your tastes are set in stone, but i guarantee you, they are not. The chances of you getting something now that you're going to like years from now are slim. infact, I had tattoos picked out when I was 18 that I thought I'd love forever....I got my first tattoo when I was 22, and it wasnt a single thing I had picked out when I was 18. I didnt like them anymore and was thankful that I hadnt rushed out and gotten them. Another con is, your body is still growing, and getting a tattoo on it while its not finished would be asking for a messed up tattoo later on in life. Granted its not going to change drastically, but you'd still be better off waiting. I'm pretty sure you should put the idea on hold. I know it seems like a great idea, and I know 4 years seems like an eternity, but it isnt. Whatever you do dont get desperate and let a friend tattoo you. You'd be asking for a variety of infections and possible diseases, as well as a super crappy generic tattoo. Wait the 4 years, have a professional do it. You have the rest of your life to be tattooed, 4 lousy years really isnt that big of a sacrifice. Look at it this way, the design that your so sure you want now will still exist when you're 18..If you can go 4 years and still want the same tattoo then chances are thats the right choice for you..but you might discover that you've found some other things you'd rather have instead..

you said: "I want a rather small one, like a bird or something,. " ...a bird or SOMETHING. you don't know what you want. you're not ready. wait until you're 18, because if it's something you truly want on you for the rest of your life, you'll still want it when you're 18. no reputable shop will tattoo you until you're at least 16, and thats with a legal guardian. MOST shops however, wont touch you until you're 18.

You ARE too young for a tat. In 3 years, you'll hate it. They scream stupidity....Someone with a tat is saying to you "Look at me. I will do anything to get your attention, including defacing my bod. " Hon, it isn't even art... they are cartoons!!!!! Then in about 4 years they start to fade, and now you are facing expensive laser treatments to get the damn things off, and no, they can't give you novacain injections so the pain will not be felt.... against the law for a parlor to inject you, and the novacain changes how the laser works anyway... (less effectively.). Tats scream that you are cheap, uneducated, no brains, .... a hs dropout.... and when you begin to run with a better crowd of people --- like college, there goes the strapless dresses... no great guy would date you a second time... Nope, hon, too soon. After you are married to some blue collar hill billy, who comes home, plops in front of the tv and drinks 3 beers, you and he own a 10 year old pick up truck, live in a trailer and you have two kids, then get one there. Until then, don't brand your self so soon.

Your body is a beautiful gift from God and your parents. I am not preaching to you. I only mention this because anything you do to your body is significant and should never be taken lightly. There are some very good reasons for making young people wait until they are older to get tattoos. That is because your interests and tastes change frequently. This is so normal for teens. You are exploring many thoughts, feelings, ideas and values. You are trying to figure out how the world works and find your place in this universe. (No easy task!) While you are learning, changing and exploring, it is not really wise to do something to your body that reflects your likes and interests at this time in your life because it is quite certain that you will change what you like and how you want to represent yourself to the world many times before you know "who" you are. It is such a difficult time of life in many ways. I am sure many kids you know are tattooing and piercing themselves in many ways. If your parents are refusing to give you permission for a tattoo, it is most likely because they understand how this works and they probably understand you better than you realize. Parents usually feel a strong responsibility to protect their kids from making choices right now that they will regret later. I know I was always careful with my children and what I allowed them to do for this reason. Parents want you t be happy and joyful, not just for this present moment, but for the rest of your life. This is a tremendous responsibility, so don't be hard on them if they keep you from doing some thngs that you are eager to do, or that "all your friends are doing". You say that you "know rhat tattoos are a lifetime commitment" and that you are "ready for that". The fact is that, with your short time of life's experiences, there is no way you can be ready for this yet. Trust your parents. They love you and have the utmost respect for you as a lovely young woman. While you probably have found many "pros" to list to support getting a tattoo, here are a few "cons". 1- There is always danger of infection. 2- The tattoo artist may not have the skill to draw a design that you are happy with, but you cannot change it after it is done. 3- The spot you have selected to place you "tatt" is kind of a provocative place, and will definitely give others, especially boys, a poor impression of you and your morals. 4- If you get a bird on your chest today, there is an excellent chance that by next year you will wish you had chosen a heart, star, flower or a peace sign, etc. (Your tastes just change alot in your teens!) 5- With a tattoo on your chest you will be limited in your clothing choices when you enter the workplace in a few years. Many companies have a "no-tattoo-showing" policy and you will always be self-concious about whether it is showing at work. Why don't you ask a few older adults how they feel about the tattoos that they got as youngsters, now that some years have passed? Chances are most older adults, if they are honest, will admit that they regret having their tattoos. In fact, many will say they are embarassed about them and really wish they could get rid of them! OK! There you go. I'm stepping off my soapbox. It must seem that I am lecturing you and that I just don't understand how things are these days. But I have 4 grown kids, ranging from 21 yrs. to 32 yrs old, and only two of them have tattoos. (Both are very small and inconspicuous.) And now that they are grown they feel kind of stupid that they have these tattoos. They now see how lucky they are to have perfect, healthy, beautiful bodies and want to respect themselves. If you have read this whole tirade, congratulations! I wish you the best of luck on whatever you decide!!!

Ok first of all, if you don't have a solid idea of what tattoo you want you shouldn't even be THINKING about getting one. Tattoos are forever. You don't want to put just anything on your body. My sisters both got tattoos when they were 13, and although they still like them, they don't really have meaning because they just picked a design they liked. Since then they have gotten another tattoo and really put time and thought into what they wanted and why they wanted it, and they love it. Also, at your age, I would really warn you against getting one on your chest. You are still developing and you don't want the tattoo to stretch out or distort in any way.

I don't know what state you are in, but here, in Missouri, a 14-y-o cannot get tattooed, even with consent. The youngest age is 16.