Tattoo popularity booming since the 1970s

It doesn't matter who you are or what your profession is. It doesn't matter if you're in the East Village or East Alabama. Whatever your socio-demographic - from prisoners to princesses - having a tattoo is now an acceptable practice throughout most of society. With few religious and social exceptions, for the most part, people from all walks of life can be seen sporting a "your name here" on their lower-back or a classic image on their bicep.

Could it be possible tattoos are less meaningful nowadays that they're acceptable? Could it be body art has increased in popularity, perhaps as a means by which the boring can become interesting? New York Times op-ed columnist David Brooks affirms this sentiment, saying, "Other people are trying to unveil their wild side. They're taking advantage of the fact that tattoos are associated with felons, bikers and gangstas. They're trying to show that far from being the dull communications majors they appear to be, they are actually free spirits - sensual, independent, a little dangerous."

Brooks even went as far to say getting tattoos creates a culture of trompe l'oeil degeneracy. He writes, "People adopt socially acceptable transgressions - like tattoos -to show they are edgy, but inside they are still middle class." Whether or not the middle class is posing as edgy or if they really just like the idea of a nice image on their bodies, the trend is growing.

Tattoo popularity could also be booming because people in American society are becoming more tolerant. It would make sense "normal" people (not gangstas or felons) get inked now that the stigma attached with tattoos has dramatically reduced. While Grandma may not be entirely approving, most of society won't cast a second look.

According to an article, "The Changing Cultural Status of the Tattoo Arts in America" on tattooartist.com, "The culture status of tattooing has steadily evolved from that of an anti-social activity in the 1960s to that of a trendy fashion statement in the 1990s." The article cites bands like The Rolling Stones who first flaunted their own body images, giving way to a 1980s culture fond of embracing tattoos as a way of self-expression.

According to a 2006 American Society of Dermatological Surgery survey, 24 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 50 have a tattoo. That's one in four, a whopping number compared to the 10 percent of Americans who were inked in 1936, according to Life Magazine. U.S. News & World Report said tattooing is one of the fastest growing markets, along with computers, cell phones and internet offers.

So popular in fact, prospective employers aren't thinking twice about the obnoxiously overdone little butterfly on your upper arm. According to U.S. News & World Report, companies like Yahoo, Google and Ford are accepting of what's under your suit or what's not hidden by it. Still, companies like Starbucks and McDonald's are not.

A 2003 poll conducted by PRNewswire showed gay, lesbian, bisexual and democratic communities had more tattoos than the straight or Republican.

Tattoos have joined the rank of other one-time oddities - like piercings - on the social norm spectrum. Maybe it's the slew of tattoo TV Shows out there: TLC's Miami and Los Angeles Ink, A&E's Inked and Fuses's Tattoo Stories.

According to Harris Interactive, a worldwide market research firm that conducts the Harris Poll, the top five reasons people sit through the needle is because it makes them feel sexy, rebellious, attractive, spiritual and strong.

Tattoos, though capable of making people feel unique, are not all so unique themselves. According to ezinearticles.com, the most common tattoos are tribal images, lower back designs, dragons, Celtic motifs and olden-day images, like anchors and swallow birds.

So while some people believe that those who relieve tattoos do so in order to revamp their identity, you may just want to mark your body with something of special significance - like your mother's birthday, your favorite 1950s pinup girl or a symbol you've created yourself. But the most important aspect of being inked is that it is personal and special. Don't get just anything. Get something that stands out and will mean something forever - not just in your college years. "Beer Pong" tattooed on your wrist may not be so funny in 20 years.