If I asked you which were the highest growth industries in the
U.S during the last twenty years or so you would be likely to
immediately think of such things as the internet and the health/fitness
industries and of course you would be right. However you may be
surprised to learn that way up there with those giants would be the
humble tattoo industry.
Body
adornment in the form of tattooing is of course an ancient form of
personal decoration which has been used to both assert one's
individuality within a group and also to mark oneself out as a part of a
group within a larger group, for example for members within the same
military unit or for gang members. Although traditionally seen as a male
habit the first recorded example of tattooing is of an Egyptian High
Priestess with tattooed arms dating back to 2000 B.C. and in fact it is
estimated that the ratio of female / male tattoos performed in the U.S
today is approximately 60 / 40 in favor of the ladies!
So why has
there been this change in attitude towards tattoos for women? A major
factor is the change in the U.S economy over the last twenty or thirty
years from one based on male dominated heavy industry to a more service
based and female friendly one. Previously tattoos were associated with
male dominated 'blue collar' workers which put most women off getting a
tattoo in the same way as even the most 'reconstructed' male today would
find it difficult to carry a handbag however convenient they are.
Accompanying
the rise in female employment has been the rise of today's ' celebrity'
culture. Many of these high profile women sport a large variety of
tattoos which have served not only to add a sense of glamour to the art
of tattooing but have helped tattoos for women to become more socially
acceptable.
Which types of tattoo do women tend to go for? The
most common tattoos for women are nature or mythology based, most
commonly of flowers or fairies. Women tend to choose a tattoo design
which will complement their body shape, typically in a flowing pattern
whereas men tend to make a statement with their tattoos and wear it more
like a badge.
A common time for women to get a tattoo is to mark a
major event in their lives such as a birth or marriage/divorce. If you
are considering getting a tattoo there are many websites to surf where
you can not only get some ideas about the design or location of your
tattoo but can see examples to help you decide if it will really work on
you.
The growth of the market in tattoos for women has been a
modern phenomenon. A 2006 study by the American Institute of Dermatology
found that 24% of Americans have at least one tattoo and whilst a high
83% of them said they didn't regret it, should that ever occur the
widespread availability of laser and light removal techniques has
removed any concerns you may have for even the most personal tattoos.
Safe, fun and sexy, it has never been a better time to decorate yourself
with your own beautiful tattoos ladies!
