Observation 1: Chapters 1-2 in Aims

I read the argument called "On Teenagers and Tattoos", which I found to be especially interesting because my parents have the same views on the issue of childhood body decorations. While I do not have any tattoos, I have four piercings: two in each ear, my cartilage, and my nose. They do not like any of my piercings expect for the traditional hole in each ear because they feel that society will view the other piercings as "classless" or "not tasteful", just as the author states in his biased argument. It is evident through the strong wording of his writing that he is against piercings or tattoos and sees them as "irreversible and permanent", which they are not. Tattoo removal is becoming increasingly more successful and piercings very rarely leave noticeable scarring. I do agree with the idea of your body being your own territory; as a minor, your body is one of the only things you truly have to yourself. I can understand how a teen would want to take advantage of this freedom through body decor. It was especially oppressing to me not only when my parents made me wait until I was 18 to pierce my cartilage, but I had to wait until I graduated to pierce my nose because it violated my high school dress code. It almost became an issue of rebellion rather than a fashion statement; because I was told I could not do it, I wanted to get my piercings even more. I feel that times have changed and piercings or tattoos are not viewed in this generation the same way previous generations view them. With time, I think that society will become more accepting of body decorations just as they have with the other issues such as more revealing clothing worn by girls.