I am shocked at the tattoo stigma exposed by this thread. I mean SHOCKED. A group of people with mental illness, people who do not want to be stigmatized (RIGHT???), and look at yourselves stigmatizing someone with tattoos! Posting mean, nasty, just plain bit*hy comments.

A tattoo, unless it's for gang affiliation - which is a whole subculture in itself and requires a different response - is a creative and artistic expression.

kuro92, you declared that you understand it's his body and that you respect that reality, but no, you really don't. You say it, and maybe you believe your words, but they are superficial. They don't run deep and true.

The man has every right to tattoo any part of his body that he wants to. As for a job, maybe he wants to become a tattoo artist. Who knows?

With regard to paying for his tattoo, first of all, he might have some kind of deal worked out with his artist - whatever that might be, we do not know. Some people do work in a shop in exchange for ink. Maybe he's borrowing or getting money from someone willing to fund his tattoo. Really, it's nobody's business.

Wow. This thread just has me floored.

I think facial tattoos, if done artistically, can be very appealing.

kuro, it sounds to me like you and your guy have some major differences. Tattooing and body modification isn't just something one "does"; it is a life style, it is an expression of one's very being. And you aren't comprehending that, as far as I can tell from your post. I see very basic and very large conflicts between you and your bf happening. It sounds like you need someone different and he needs someone who can respect him for who he truly is, and be his partner in life style choices.

No, no, no. The man has every right as a human being to get a tattoo anywhere he wants to. No exception to that.

Ask your guy which he values most: You or his tattoos and he might answer truthfully, "My tattoos"- and that is his choice, like it or not.

Sincerely,
*Laurie* (who has more tattoos than she can count and finds each one a precious expression of Self)