How to dissuade a child from getting a tattoo. How to dissuade a teenager from piercings and tattoos

Without words
The time of carefree infancy passes unnoticed. It seems that just recently a sweet baby in pajamas asked to tell a bedtime story and shared his childhood secrets. In the bustle of days, the passage of time is not noticed, and suddenly, unexpectedly for ourselves, we discover that our children have grown up. No longer a rosy-cheeked baby, but a stubborn, wayward teenager with his own views on life and opinions about the environment appears before us. All sorts of, sometimes original and radical ways of self-affirmation and attempts to express themselves are mind-boggling to unhappy adults.

She wants to be an adult

A teenager wants to join the attractive world of adults as soon as possible, sometimes chasing only its external attributes. One of the ways to express yourself is to get a tattoo or piercing. Of course, the older generation is unlikely to be indescribably delighted with such an idea. The vast majority of parents will try with all their might to dissuade their beloved child from taking a rash step, thereby adding fuel to the fire of his desires.

How to talk to a teenager about this topic

Conversation
If you find out about your child's desire to get a piercing or tattoo, do not scold or criticize him in any way. This can lead to a protest decision to do exactly as he intended, and not otherwise, simply to prove to you that he has the right to make decisions regarding his own body. In the end, the teenager is right. This is his body, and he is free to do with it as he pleases. Your role in this case is not to shout or swear, but to convincingly and unobtrusively present reasoned arguments “against”. Seeing that you do not encroach on his personal space and consider him a mature person, the teenager will most likely listen to you and, after weighing all the arguments, make the right decision. Another option is to allow the tattoo, but stipulate a time limit for it. For example, after coming of age, after entering college. Perhaps, over time, the child will “get over” this idea and forget about it.

Information attack.

If your child stubbornly insists that he needs this change, you can provide him with the following information:

Psychologists' opinions on tattoos and piercings

Strange boy
The number of teenagers who get tattoos or piercings increases every year. Research has shown that the number of young people getting tattoos has increased by more than 30% from the end of the 20th century to the present day. Psychologists and psychiatrists consider tattooing to be a special form of self-harm of the body. As a rule, teenagers with tattoos differ from their peers. They are prone to risk, they often develop eating disorders, depressive reactions, and low self-esteem. Some of them abuse alcohol or drugs. Also, such teenagers are more sexually disinhibited and study worse. Of course, tattoos are not to blame for these problems. This is simply how children of a certain psychotype “decorate” themselves. One of the provoking factors in this situation is the desire to show oneself as an adult in front of peers, or to be like a person who is significant to a teenager. Decisions to get a tattoo can be spontaneous, and the child will soon regret it.

How to react if a child secretly gets a tattoo

We need to calm down. The intention has already been fulfilled. There is no point in scolding a teenager, much less beating him. Better think about why he didn’t talk about his plans or spoke but didn’t listen to you.

Is he afraid, doesn’t trust, or does your opinion matter? This means that there are some omissions in education.

Tell your child that a tattoo requires not only careful care, but also periodic updating

Find out what “tattoo” means. It may indicate the teenager’s state of mind and that he needs help.

American psychologist K. Machover proposed the following interpretation of the drawings:

aggressive pictures - lack of self-confidence, complexes;
drawing of a face - there is concern about one’s appearance and relationships with other people;
dragon - the desire to stand out;
a running person - a desire to hide from problems, difficulties in communication.

This theory is controversial; not all psychologists agree with it. It is also necessary to take into account the area of the body where the drawing is applied. A warning sign if a face is selected.

Remember that a tattoo will not surprise or shock anyone now. It is not necessary that a tattoo will bother a teenager in the future. You can wear the same tattoo your whole life and not regret it.

A teenager really wants to be the most fashionable! © Shutterstock

Often the desire to decorate oneself with tattoos and piercings for a teenager becomes a real obsession. The parents are simply shocked. No one knows where to run or what to do. And the moment of applying the desired drawing by your dearest child is getting closer.

If you find out that your son or daughter has decided to get a piercing or tattoo, don't show surprise and certainly don't get angry. After all, it is his body and he has the right to improve it as he pleases. Within reasonable limits, of course.

Or maybe a change of image will instill in a teenager independence and a sense of responsibility for his actions, who knows.

Discouraging a teenager from piercings and tattoos: information attack

There is something your stubborn person who has decided to embellish himself needs to know. Namely:

Piercings, like tattoos, tend to “grow” when the skin stretches with age. The drawing can be deformed beyond recognition, and the charming girl on your shoulder will turn into a real witch;

Punctures in the tongue, navel, nipples and genitals take a long time to heal; the safest places are the earlobe and nostril;

If the piercing is done with a thin needle in a salon, then in adulthood, if you remove the needle, the puncture site will heal. If, of course, you are very lucky;

Tattoos and piercings, especially those made by non-professionals, often fester, and the scars remain forever. To be convincing, you can show a photo;

You must constantly monitor your tattoo: you cannot sunbathe without cream and it is very undesirable to injure the skin;

When applying a tattoo or piercing, an infection can occur even in the salon, and it will also be very painful, because, as a rule, pain relief is not given for such procedures;

You can remove a tattoo by cutting off a layer of skin, which will leave a scar, and some colors are not removed at all and remain forever.

We use cunning if a teenager wants a piercing or tattoo

Although, of course, there is a danger that the child will like to walk around painted and will insist even more actively on getting a tattoo.

You can try replacing your piercing or tattoo with an unusual hairstyle.

Perhaps the teenager will agree to dreadlocks or green curls. And then, you see, he will forget about piercings and tattoos.

You can offer the teenager a deferment. Like, let’s get a tattoo or piercing, but in a good salon, and for this we’ll save up some money until our next birthday. Maybe your fashionista will find other ways to express himself during this time.

In any case, do not leave your teenager alone with a burning desire to get a tattoo or piercing.

It’s better to go to a good salon together and first get a small tattoo in a not very noticeable place. Otherwise, you never know what folk craftsmen can do in a secluded place for a bottle of beer.

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The master is not a psychologist and he cannot (and should not) understand the client’s motives. He's just doing his job, so don't count on him to dissuade, say, a 17-year-old guy who looks like he's in his 20s from getting a thoughtless tattoo.

At a young age, any event seems significant, and you want to perpetuate it. But a tattoo is for life. So parents will have to be psychologists.

He thinks that tattoos are “fashionable” or “cool.”

Fashion comes and goes, but our skin remains with us. Remind your teenager that those “ugly” pants that he is now embarrassed to wear were once in fashion.

Saw it from a friend or celebrity.

Explain to your child that this idea, in fact, belongs to another person. And you can only be truly “cool” with your own point of view.

In the name of love.

Help your teenager declare his love in a humane way: give him two tickets to the theater (although a rock concert would probably be more appropriate). Advise you to write a poem to the object of your love and emphasize that anyone can sit with a tattoo artist, but spending a whole week writing a confession is something few people can handle.

"I just want!"

Tell your son or daughter that nothing good will come from “I just want it, but I don’t know what” - such a tattoo will quickly get boring. Usually in such cases they make the sign of infinity, yin and yang, clover, crown, owl, inscriptions, and so on - this is not only unoriginal, but terribly tasteless.

“I will become special!”

This is what many minors think. Confirm his hopes: “Yes, of course, you will immediately become special: a university teacher will see you as a “rebel,” and in the future the employer will prefer someone less “artistic.” What if your girlfriend/boyfriend is not happy with this tattoo?

Health problems.

There is a whole list of medical contraindications to getting a tattoo, including skin, blood, systemic diseases, immune problems, and so on. Is your teenager being stubborn? Warn: “Only nurses at the hospital will notice your tattoo, but they are unlikely to be impressed - they haven’t seen anything like that.”

Yes, and as for health: be sure to explain to your child what he can expect in underground salons (and a teenager simply won’t have enough money for a decent one) - the risk of transmitting dangerous diseases through a needle and serious inflammatory processes. And this is all - in addition to ugly cheap drawings made by non-professionals who are used to copying hackneyed motifs.

Be warned that it is very difficult to get rid of a boring “clumsy” tattoo in the future: it is a long and expensive laser removal and, most often, followed by covering it with another design.

So, you have voiced all your reasons to your stubborn child, but your son or daughter still wants at least a “tiny tattoo” - do not rush to swear at the child. Right now he needs your help most.

Invite your child to get a temporary tattoo at a salon, such as with henna. Or even at home with the help of fashionable transferable tattoos. There are high chances that during their testing the desire to get a real tattoo will disappear naturally.

Fashionable alternative: temporary tattoo at home

And most importantly, they appeal to people of all ages. They are very easy to apply (just like transfer stickers) and easy to remove with hand sanitizer, baby oil or wet wipes.

That is why every time you can dream up to your heart’s content and choose the most suitable motif in style, make a bright accent, emphasize a certain cut or element of clothing.

What to do if a child wants to get a tattoo? The law clearly states that a teenager under 18 years of age cannot get a tattoo without the written consent of his parents or guardians. Even if a young man earns money on his own, from a legal point of view he does not have the right to enter into an agreement with a salon or master. Responsibility also lies with the tattoo artist, who will have to answer in court.

However, a conversation with a teenager who wants to get a tattoo is very delicate and requires correct behavior on the part of the parents.

“
Do not refuse categorically! After all, your child always has the opportunity to get a tattoo “in spite of” and “to spite” their parents, and from a novice artist at home. Such stories are not isolated, and believe me, the conditions for a novice master at home will be much worse than in a professional salon. Perhaps the court will oblige this unprofessional tattoo artist to pay you damages in the future, but the poor-quality drawing and damaged relationship with the closest person will remain.”

Arguments against"

Sad consequences

A tattoo or piercing hole tends to stretch over time as the skin grows. A person grows and changes. And a tattoo that is beautiful at first can “go away” or turn into something obscene.
If you pierce your tongue, belly button, genitals or nipples, you need to be prepared for the fact that it not only hurts like hell, but also takes a long time to heal. And if sanitary standards are not observed or violated, it is fraught with serious infection and suppuration. Nostrils or ears are considered optimal for piercing.
Sometimes puncture sites or tattoos, due to the characteristics of the body, turn into a suppurating surface covered with a crust. The wound will heal, but the gnarled scars will remain forever.
You can't sunbathe without sunscreen. Tattoo areas are scarred and prone to burning more than regular skin.
When getting a piercing or tattoo, there is a possibility of getting a “bonus” of some kind of “poop” such as hepatitis C, or HIV.
If you don't like a tattoo, it's difficult to remove.
An allergic reaction to the paint, including severe liver damage, is possible.
When using paints containing metal after an MRI procedure, inflammation and swelling occurs at the tattoo site. In addition, this affects the readings of the device, distorting them.
It is possible to develop painful shock during the procedure, up to loss of consciousness. And the tattoo will remain unfinished, as a reminder of childhood stupidity.

How to dissuade a child from getting a tattoo: 7 proven methods

Statistics show that about 30% of schoolchildren get tattoos. Even greater numbers are shown by the statistics of those people who dreamed of getting a tattoo at school age. In recent years, this figure has risen to 70%. It’s rare that a teenager doesn’t dream of standing out in this way.

Statistics show that about 30% of schoolchildren get tattoos

In a stressful situation, parental imagination dries up, and you can make a mistake in your reaction to what is happening. Before attacking your teenager with screams and hysterics, check out 7 proven methods that will help you dissuade your child from taking a decisive action.

Fashion comes and goes

Explain to your child that despite the fact that today tattoos are at the peak of popularity, tomorrow the situation may change. The drawing cannot be removed from your body; it remains for life. It’s good if you remember the eighties, the fashion for which is returning today. This means that very soon the trend will be a completely clean body without drawings.

Explain to your child that despite the fact that today tattoos are at the peak of popularity, tomorrow the situation may change

Be sure to remind them that teenage tattoos in the future will look funny on a serious adult.

Like a star

Teenagers are passionate people. It is likely that the child wants to get the exact same tattoo as his idol.

Explain to the teenager that this is a very reckless act. Surely, the idol tattooed this tattoo with some hidden subtext; perhaps the tattoo represents some important significant event in a person’s life.

If you mindlessly copy a public figure, you can waste your individuality

However, if you mindlessly copy a public figure, you can waste your individuality. Be sure to show your son or daughter photographs of pop and movie stars with unsuccessful tattoos. Find and read together an interview where this or that celebrity mentions that drawing on the body is a mistake of youth that can no longer be undone.

Invite your child to approach the idol in another way. For example, buy him a ticket to a concert of his favorite artist.

I want to stand out

Unfortunately, many teenagers today want to stand out not through good deeds, talents and achievements, but through external manifestations. It's easier. Those who have not been able to prove themselves to be the best in studies, sports, or creativity try to attract attention in other ways. For example, appearance.

Of course, a tattoo on a teenager’s body will attract attention. But what attention?

Explain to your teen that this is not the best way to stand out. Perhaps they will pay attention to you, but only for a while. This will lead to the fact that a teenager can get a taste for it and get a tattoo every time the wave of interest in him subsides.

Unfortunately, many teenagers today want to stand out not for their good deeds, talents and achievements, but for their external manifestations.

Instead, offer a good alternative. If we are talking about a girl, then advise her to change her hairstyle, take her to a good professional hairdressing salon. You can spend money on shopping. A boy may get distracted by a new gadget and become the object of attention from his friends.

If a child has problems accepting himself and his peers, be sure to have a heart-to-heart talk with the teenager. Perhaps the reason for the desire to stand out is buried much deeper and requires the attention of adults.

It's forever

Explain to your teenager that a tattoo on the body is forever. Even the services of tattoo parlors for mixing designs cannot one hundred percent cope with stuffed ornaments. Traces remain that will have to be covered with other tattoos.

It turns out that one rash step in youth can cross out fate in the future.

For example, after 5 years, a grown teenager will regret that he subjected his body to such a test. If possible, find a video on the Internet that shows the process of tattooing from not the most favorable angles. Watch with your child, while commenting on the pain the patient is experiencing.

Explain to your teenager that a tattoo on the body is forever

Also, as part of this method, talk about the tattoo itself. What it should be, what it should mean. As a rule, teenagers try to copy what they see from others, often celebrities, or they want to tattoo banal, already boring drawings on their bodies. For example, an infinity sign, feathers, a dream catcher, a flower, and so on. Explain that this is no longer fashionable, it smacks of bad taste. If you get a tattoo, it should be unique, individual, with meaning.

Invite the teenager to look for that same meaning and draw up a sketch on his own. It is likely that the child’s search for inspiration will lead to a dead end, and after a month he will forget about his idea.

Missed Opportunities

If a child is passionate about any profession related to public service, law enforcement, and so on, and wants to connect his life with it, then you will have a strong argument against tattoos.

Explain to your child that a law enforcement officer, employee of the judicial system or government agency cannot have drawings on their body. He simply will not qualify for the position. And if the presence of the drawing becomes clear later, you can easily lose all your regalia, merits and place.

This will make a teenager who dreams about his future think.

Love and pigeons

In adolescence, between the ages of 14 and 16, the time comes when you can talk about first love. Boys and girls suffer from the lack of attention from their other half and try by any means to earn reciprocity. As a result of this, drawings appear on the bodies of young people. Very soon, however, mature people begin to understand that there was nothing serious about childhood love, and it was not at all worth perpetuating a reminder of this feeling on their body.

In adolescence, the time comes when you can talk about first love and first tattoos in honor of first love.

Tell your teenager that in 99% of cases, first love ends in great disappointment. That in life, there are many discoveries ahead, young people or girls for whom you can think about a tattoo. But this will need to be done in adulthood, when you have a lot of experience behind you. And there have never been cases when a tattoo saved love from collapse. It becomes only a painful reminder of the experience.

Harm to health

Explain to your teenager that not all people can wear a tattoo, and a harmless design on the body can pose a hidden health threat.

Some people, after applying the drawing, experience itching, burning, ulcers and pimples begin to appear on the body, sometimes even allergies appear. In such a situation, the tattoo will have to be removed surgically, leaving scars and cuts that cannot be removed from the body.

Explain to your teenager that not all people can wear tattoos.

Also, not all tattoo parlors use proven, high-quality ink that gets embedded under the skin. Some surrogate can cause serious harm to health, even causing grievous harm. And the procedure itself can be quite painful for some.

Perhaps the teenager will be afraid of such a development of events. Be sure to support your story with arguments and pictures from the Internet. Such an ironclad argument should work.

Many parents make a huge mistake when, instead of a heart-to-heart conversation, they end up with screams and hysterics. To spite his raging ancestors, the teenager deliberately gets a tattoo out of principle.

The teenager may be afraid of pain

In this situation, it is important to behave with restraint and wisdom. Managing your emotions will help you achieve results.

Here are some tips for parents to reach their teens.

Accept the fact that your child is growing and developing, which means his needs, acceptance of the world and himself are changing. If he is really ready for a tattoo, then sooner or later he will get one. However, try to delay this process as far as possible, closer to adulthood, when this will already be a conscious, informed decision. Otherwise, in a couple of years you risk facing regrets and accusations that you did not stop your child from such a serious step.

Today, it has become popular among teenagers to decorate their bodies with tattoos and piercings. And sometimes it becomes an obsession. Many parents

When they hear about their child’s desire, they panic. What to do, how to dissuade a teenager from this idea? Today we will talk about how parents should react to this, and how to try to dissuade their child from spoiling his body.

If you find out that your child is going to get a tattoo

or piercing an eyebrow, nose or navel, do not show surprise or anger. Ultimately, this body does not belong to you. A teenager can decide for himself how to improve. However, he must remember reasonable limits.

Perhaps a change in image

It helps the child develop independence and a sense of responsibility for their actions.