If you have a tattoo..., I need your help! Options

[lojay]

For Sociology I have to write a paper about tattoos and I need interviews with people who have a tattoo to use as my sources. If you have a tattoo and could fill out this questionnaire it would be so helpful.

In theory, I would need to have it filled out by Monday Dec. 3rd... But in reality I don't need them until Tuesday Dec. 11th, but it would be nice to be able to write my paper ASAP. Please be as in-depth as you can!



Here are the questions (I'm sorry there are a lot!!):

Age:
Sex:
Occupation:

Functionalist Perspective Questions:
1. What are the functions and the benefits of having a tattoo? (for example, are you ever praised for your tattoo?)
2. Were you nervous about getting the tattoo? Why or why not?
3. Did you take cleanliness of the tattoo parlor into consideration? Why or Why not?
4. Did you consider what qualifications the tattoo artist had? Why or why not?
5. Are there any long term effects to consider before getting a tattoo?
6. Do you believe there is an addictive quality to tattooing? Why or why not?

Conflict Perspective Questions:
7. How old were you when you were tattooed? At what age is it appropriate to be tattooed?
8. How much did it cost? Who paid for it? What are the cost restraints in the tattoo realm? (For example, would someone use their money towards a tattoo instead of on food for their child, etc).
9. Are you completely satisfied with your tattoo? Have you considered removing or altering your tattoo?
10. Have you become stereotyped or a victim of discrimination after acquiring your tattoo? Does the design and/or location play a part in this?
11. What reactions and concerns did you parents and friends express?
12. Does your tattoo impact your work environment?

Symbolic Interactionist Questions:
For questions 13-17 if you have more than one tattoo answer for each tattoo.
13. Who chose the design? Who made the design? (Please provide a picture of the tattoo if possible, if not possible, explain the tattoo).
14. Everyone experiences pain differently. How much did it hurt?
15. Where is the tattoo located? How did you decide on the location for the tattoo?
16. What does the choice and location of your tattoo say about you as a person? Could the meaning be interpreted differently by others? Is the tattoo for you or for others?
17. Has the meaning of your tattoo changed over time? Do you think the meaning will be as significant as you grow older?


ALSO!!! If you are a tattoo artist and willing to fill out a questionnaire that would be SO HELPFUL. However, I have a different set of questions that I would be asking you, so if you could PM me that would be fantastic.

Thank you so so much in advance to anyone who actually fills this out. You have no idea how much it would mean to me. I know it is a lot of questions but it would really help me out with my paper to have a lot of different people’s answers.

[stephinika]

Age: 19
Sex: Female
Occupation: University student/I work in retail

Functionalist Perspective Questions:
1. What are the functions and the benefits of having a tattoo? (for example, are you ever praised for your tattoo?)
I express myself, tell people about myself a little without saying a word, and yeah some people like it.

2. Were you nervous about getting the tattoo? Why or why not?
Yes because it was my first tattoo so I was scared about the pain, and also my parents are unaware of it so I was worried about that of course.

3. Did you take cleanliness of the tattoo parlor into consideration? Why or Why not?
Of course, I didn't want to get any complications or infections, so cleanliness was very important.

4. Did you consider what qualifications the tattoo artist had? Why or why not?
Yes, I wanted someone qualified of course so they knew what they were doing with the tattoo. I wanted someone I could trust to put some permanent ink on me. =p

5. Are there any long term effects to consider before getting a tattoo?
Having it permanently on you...? Possible fading, stretching depending on the area of skin its on.

6. Do you believe there is an addictive quality to tattooing? Why or why not?
Yes, because when I was first deciding on my first tattoo I said that'd probably be my only one, but afterwards, I already planned my next two that I want to get.

Conflict Perspective Questions:
7. How old were you when you were tattooed? At what age is it appropriate to be tattooed?
I got it when I was 18 and I think that or older is an appropiate age because you're a legal adult and can make decisions for yourself.

8. How much did it cost? Who paid for it? What are the cost restraints in the tattoo realm? (For example, would someone use their money towards a tattoo instead of on food for their child, etc).
About $120 (including tip), and I certainly think money should go towards other things first as tattoos aren't necessary, its a luxury in a way because they can expensive quickly.

9. Are you completely satisfied with your tattoo? Have you considered removing or altering your tattoo?
Yes, I absolutely love it and I haven't considered removing it or altering it.

10. Have you become stereotyped or a victim of discrimination after acquiring your tattoo? Does the design and/or location play a part in this?
Nope.

11. What reactions and concerns did you parents and friends express?
My parents still don't know about it, but my friends liked it.

12. Does your tattoo impact your work environment?
Nope. They don't care as long as its not really visible and its not visible when I go to work anyways.

Symbolic Interactionist Questions:
For questions 13-17 if you have more than one tattoo answer for each tattoo.
13. Who chose the design? Who made the design? (Please provide a picture of the tattoo if possible, if not possible, explain the tattoo).
I chose the design and made it based off some artwork I found on the internet. Here's a really crappy pic, because its all I can find right now on this computer.

Its a heart with wings and the word "Libre" in my own handwriting meaning free in Spanish.

14. Everyone experiences pain differently. How much did it hurt?
Well, it hurt but not as much as I thought. It was just a numb feeling on some parts, and really stung on some parts but it was bearable.

15. Where is the tattoo located? How did you decide on the location for the tattoo?
Its on my lower back (NO not a hoe stamp), and off to the right side just above my bikini line. I decided on this because that part of my body shouldn't stretch and make it ugly, and its easy to hide or show when I choose to.

16. What does the choice and location of your tattoo say about you as a person? Could the meaning be interpreted differently by others? Is the tattoo for you or for others?
It means a lot to me as its a break of 'freedom' for me due to my overbearing and strict parents, but its really a tattoo for me because its somewhat hidden and it just reminds me that I'm free and no one can really stop or change my beliefs. But I suppose it could be interpreted slightly different by others.

17. Has the meaning of your tattoo changed over time? Do you think the meaning will be as significant as you grow older?
Nope, not really but it could get more significant as I get older, but we'll see when that happens. =)


Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.