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.

[Smarmosaur]

Age: 14
Sex: female
Occupation: n/a.

Functionalist Perspective Questions:

1. What are the functions and the benefits of having a tattoo? people who notice it fall in love with it and want one.

2. Were you nervous about getting the tattoo? Why or why not?
yes considering i'm young and well...it's a tattoo. any sane person would be a little giddy about it.

3. Did you take cleanliness of the tattoo parlor into consideration? Why or Why not?
yeah. mom helped me research and stuff. i wasn't about to pay twice as much as i did at some dirty place.

4. Did you consider what qualifications the tattoo artist had? Why or why not?
uhm...no. didn't really think about it.

5. Are there any long term effects to consider before getting a tattoo?
well...it's there forever.

6. Do you believe there is an addictive quality to tattooing? Why or why not?
for some people, yes. for me, no. we're all addicted to something...so there's really not a definite answer for this.



Conflict Perspective Questions:

7. How old were you when you were tattooed? At what age is it appropriate to be tattooed?
14. before i get criticized for this-i actually wrote a report for my mom explaining why i want it, why it would be important, and reasons to show i'm mature enough. i've kinda always been mature for my age, and the tattoo i wanted was really simple so she considered it for a while and her answer was yes. the age just depends on the maturity.

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'm not sure. i think around $25? it was really small but we got a good deal at a good place. and i'm not sure about the restraints...i never thought of it.

9. Are you completely satisfied with your tattoo? Have you considered removing or altering your tattoo?
100% satisfied. no regrets-ever.

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 mom and friends loved it.

12. Does your tattoo impact your work environment?
n/a.




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. it's a really small quarter note, about a square inch, and just a few shades darker than my skin.

14. Everyone experiences pain differently. How much did it hurt?
likeabiotch.

15. Where is the tattoo located? How did you decide on the location for the tattoo?
on my right collarbone-it's easy to hide if i want, easy to show if i want. :]

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?
the location didn't phase me much. the tattoo is for me.

17. Has the meaning of your tattoo changed over time? Do you think the meaning will be as significant as you grow older?
it slowly becomes more significant. it shows my love of music and how much i'm dedicated to it. music is literally life.