You know, this post is really funny to me. Mostly because I didn't get my first tattoo until I was in my 30's... so it wasn't a question or want to do anything that was "in" and I'm in my early 40's now... I highly doubt either of my parents really care what I do to my own body and haven't, since I moved out at age 18.
I certainly do think for myself and I am pretty certain there are many tattooed people out in the world who can as well. I find it's always amusing to read the digust of a person taking moral high ground when it comes to body modification as they make often times WRONG assumptions that a person does something like tattooing to get a rise out of someone (rebellion) or to try and 'fit in' to some peer group (perceived social acceptance), or that that person is of low intelligence because of their own judgments about people with tattoos. Sure, there are some real losers out there with tattoos... there are also a lot of non-tattooed losers in the world.
I wonder why people shave their legs, or why some women color their hair? Why do people have cosmetic dentistry done? Why do men get their hair cut or grow beards? Women paint their fingernails, etc... these are ALL body modifications of some sort (albeit very minor), yet society has deemed these to be socially acceptable and as common as tattoos are nowadays, they are still 'taboo' in some circles and those who chose to modify their bodies in that manner are ostracized because of a very personal choice they've made.
I've had my body tattooed as a fully grown adult for very personal reasons and I am the only person that lives with that decision. I'd always had a desire for tattoos but it was a decision I didn't take lightly and why I waited so long in life before I actually did it. I don't regret any of them I've gotten, for each one means something to *me* and I am the only person I am worried about.
If I can say one thing to the reef - told you so.
earthworm, one last thing... I've never been told I look like a pirate OR a criminal. Guess I'll have to try harder.