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.

[ArtificialBlonde]

Age: 18
Sex: Female
Occupation: Guest Service Representative/(Almost) Emergency Medical Technician

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 think it expresses a deep part of me. And it's a great conversation starter when people ask what it means.

2. Were you nervous about getting the tattoo? Why or why not?
I was very nervous because it was my first time and I had no idea what to expect.

3. Did you take cleanliness of the tattoo parlor into consideration? Why or Why not?
I did. I looked up information about the tattoo parlor and knew some people that gave great praise to the place.

4. Did you consider what qualifications the tattoo artist had? Why or why not?
Yes, because I wanted to make sure he would be able successfully tattoo me without screwing up, basically.

5. Are there any long term effects to consider before getting a tattoo?
Yeah. I think people need to understand that the tattoo IS permanent and will be there for the rest of your life. So, it's a good idea to think it through before making the decision.

6. Do you believe there is an addictive quality to tattooing? Why or why not?
I think so. I feel like I already want more tattoos. It's a rebellion type of thing. And the pain of it is kind of exhilirating in a sense.

Conflict Perspective Questions:
7. How old were you when you were tattooed? At what age is it appropriate to be tattooed?
18. I feel that's the most appropriate age to consider having tattoos. Waiting so many years helped me consider what I wanted without making spontaneous decisions. I feel like at 18, I was mature enough.

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).
I believe it came out to $60. My friend payed for it. The costs are worth it, considering that it's permanent, but it should not be considered if you're spending money on tattoos rather than necessities.

9. Are you completely satisfied with your tattoo? Have you considered removing or altering your tattoo?
Yes. I have not considered removing or altering it at all.

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?
No. Most people really like my tattoo. My parents were kind of iffy about the placement of my tattoo, because it's not in a hidden place, but they eventually got over it when I revealed that it's eady to cover up.

11. What reactions and concerns did you parents and friends express?
My parents didn't really like the idea. My dad thought I should get something more girly. But, they settled down and accepted it.

12. Does your tattoo impact your work environment?
Not really. I can easily cover it up with a watch, which is required on my future job.

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 I researched to make sure that this was actually "Love" in Hebrew.

14. Everyone experiences pain differently. How much did it hurt?
It was very painful, but not enough to stop me from wanting more.

15. Where is the tattoo located? How did you decide on the location for the tattoo?
It is located on my wrist. I decided on this location because it is easy for every one to see it, but I can also cover it up with a watch for work.

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?
I think the choice presents an emotional side of me, where I do look at love with much admiration and compassion. I like to express this. The tattoo is for me, but it's nice for other people to take notice to it and discuss it.

17. Has the meaning of your tattoo changed over time? Do you think the meaning will be as significant as you grow older?
The meaning is still the same, and I think that it could grow more significant to me as I grow up and have more love and loss in my life.