Community members and students examine the pros and cons of tattoos

Tattoos have grown in popularity among the adolescent age group, specifically those at the collegiate level.

A poll by USA Today in 2012 showed 21 percent of Americans had gotten tattoos at some point in their life. In 2007, a Pew Research Center survey showed 36 percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40, had gotten inked in their lifetime.

So, will the professional world change their views over the next few years? Have tattoos become more culturally and socially acceptable?

Regardless, students are getting them; some choose to travel outside of Vermillion to get their ink.

Tattoo artist Jeff Mann of Vishnu Bunny in Sioux Falls said his job is very gratifying.
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“It was never my intention to be a tattoo artist,” Mann said. “That being said, I love what I do.”

Mann said what varies from person to person is not only the style of the tattoo, but also the significance of it.

“What makes tattooing and tattoos themselves special to me is the opportunity to help someone change their body in such a way that they recognize said change as a solution to the quandary of self improvement, sometimes the simplest tattoo can make a person feel whole,” Mann said.

Student and faculty opinions vary at the University of South Dakota when it comes to tattoos.

Kelly O’Dea and Brian Anderson co-own Pandemonium Tattoos on Cherry Street in Vermillion and are inked up themselves.

O’Dea got her first tattoo in 2006, which was a colorful Cheshire Cat.

“I got bit and just kept going back,” she said.

Anderson’s love for the art began even earlier.

“I started with a needle, thread and Indian ink in elementary school,” he said.

O’Dea and Anderson opened the door to their shop April 9 and have already had college students come in to get work done.

“College kids come in with stuff from Pintrest,” O’Dea said.

Junior Sydney Hofer explained the significance of her tattoos, and her opinion on the effect of tattoos in the work place.

“Tattoos are a way of showing your personality through art,” she said. “Only one of my tattoos is significant and that’s the one on my foot, which is basically to remind me always to dream.”

First-year Chris Huisenga said his tattoos are another way to express himself.

“One of my tattoos tells a story, while the other serves as a permanent reminder of a quality in myself that I sometimes forget,” he said.

But opinions still vary when it comes to tattoos in the workplace.

Senior Community Adviser TJ Rosenbaum said tattoos should not disqualify people from getting jobs.

“I don’t support tattoo-free environments anywhere unless they are gang based,” he said.

Rosenbaum is pursuing a career in teaching.

“To be a teacher, it’s generally looked down upon,” he said. “It definitely depends on the school district and supervisor of the school. Overall, tattoos shouldn’t matter. It should ultimately come down to an individuals abilities and qualifications.”

Sara Hansman, Manager of Employment Services and Internships at USD, said tattoos at work depend on the situation.

“Tattoos that can be hidden in basic everyday clothing are fine, and likely won’t deter any employers from hiring a potential candidate,” she said. Tattoos that are easily seen can be okay depending on the nature of the position.”

Hansman said employers are free to make their own rules about tattoos.

“Visible tattoos are considered unprofessional,” she said. “This of course does not apply to every job and every company. Instead this is a general observation. Each company will determine what is appropriate for each individual position.”

Hansman said it’s all up to the interview process.

“Interviewing is a highly psychological experience for the employer doing the hiring,” she said. “Tattoos have a certain reputation and may give the interviewer a specific impression of the candidate before he or she even speaks. For this reason, tattoos should be covered during interviews for professional positions.”