by Michelle Wilkinson

Created on: February 19, 2009

Some people get tattoos precisely because they hurt. It is a way of proving their mettle and showing the world that they value the artwork they have on their body enough to suffer for it. Of course few people would have a tattoo just to prove that they can tolerate pain, but it is an added bonus, as the first question people often ask is 'did it hurt?' For many people getting a tattoo is a way of expressing themselves they are able to decide where on their body they want a tattoo, what they want their tattoo to be, and how big they want it. It presents to the outside world something that is important to them and which helps define them.

It is common for people to have tattoos of their favourite football club, the names of family members, particularly those of spouses and children, words and phrases which are significant to them, and images of things which mean something to them. Tattoos are not just about displaying a belief or a passion for something to other people; they are also a personal thing, as many individuals do not even have their tattoos on display most of the time. Tattoos serve as a reminder of what is important to them.

However, they can also show allegiance to a cause, belief, club or country with many people choosing to have their nation's flag or symbol on various parts of their body. There are certain subcultures in which it is virtually expected that you have at least one tattoo therefore, in the main, bikers and metal fans often decide to get a tattoo, as tattoos tend to form part of that whole scene. Gothic imagery and symbolism is often adopted in tattoo form and allows initiated members to express themselves as individuals, whilst also demonstrating their allegiance to a group.

Tattoos have reached the mainstream now, so that there isn't the stigma attached to getting a tattoo as there once was. Tattoos used to be associated with the more thuggish elements of society, but this has changed, as increasing numbers of people get tattoos of harmless-looking flowers and symbols to adorn their bodies. Often such individuals do not think about the pain when they decide to get a tattoo, but rather focus on the beauty of the tattoo they are getting and what the end result will be.

People get tattoos for all different reasons, and some individuals place more emphasis on the pain they will have to endure than others, perhaps because it is a macho thing to be seen to get a 'painful' tattoo done, but also because some people have a higher pain threshold than others. For those who decide to get a tattoo, however, the focus is always on what the end result will be, which usually outweighs the prospect of any discomfort they may suffer in the short term.

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