Under the Skin: Overcoming Adversity Through Personal Adornment

Abstract

Tattoos are a work of art that help shape individuals' identities and contribute to certain aspects of one's personality - yet have a long history of being judged and scrutinized amongst the general population, often labeled as deviant. Most of tattooing's cultural history in the United States has been refracted through a negative light. Oftentimes the stigma of being a "delinquent", "degenerate", or particularly "odd" person, is associated when discussing tattoos and those who receive them. My research focuses around the individual meanings of tattoos as well as what they represent, and why people feel a need to receive them. Tattoos are not limited to one particular demographic group in the United States, and are frequently adorned by people of different ethnicities, genders, and sexualities. The multiple meanings and usages may include; to commemorate milestones, identities, show subcultural affiliations, tributes to loved ones who have been lost, etc.. The main question I aim to answer is, "How are tattoos used to help individuals cope with severe trauma, loss of a loved one, or those suffering with mental illness?". This topic of tattoos as both a form of self-expression and coping mechanism is a societally relevant topic as it revolves around the changes in meaning that occur as society evolves and adapts to new ideas. Tattoos are becoming more commonly accepted, and are viewed as art in some contexts, yet still hold stigma for some groups. The idea that tattoos are being used as a therapeutic tool is fairly new, but it holds great importance as it is aiding individuals to navigate their lives through particularly difficult or traumatic events. This senior project focuses on how contemporary tattoos are being used as coping mechanisms by individuals who have undergone severe trauma or loss.