Society's Distorted Approach of Individual Representation

Our world today is encompassed with certain guidelines or rather set ideas that as individuals of this community we are to abide by. Particular opinions that have almost become defined in society through popularity and what follows “standard regulation” have essentially eliminated the freedom to exemplify what you as person stand for. All of this being said, of course we have the will to present our self to society in whichever manner we choose, but the interpretation and acceptance of others is commonly found under a distorted view. Fashion, is a significant external representation of individuals; whether this complex word is dissected and analyzed according to jewelry, hairstyle, clothing, tattoos or the actual poise in which we present these characteristics, they are all subject to society’s critiques.

An eternal mark of ink embellished into ones skin clearly makes a statement in a persons fashion. These marks, or tattoos can be interpreted upon multiple approaches. What is the real meaning behind someone plastering this image to his or her identity for a lifetime? Is this an aesthetically pleasing process? Does this image portray a pathetic appeal through sentimental meaning or representation? Is the character trying to make a statement to influence others around them? Maybe the individuals’ actions pertain to none of these, and it was simply a spur the moment decision. Each of these aspects envelops a sense of rhetoric. However does this change the interpretations made from the environment surrounding such a visual mark?

Award winning Artist, Chris Brown is a valid representation of tattoos. Brown was only 13 years of age when this style of fashion caught his eyes. However, when attempting to get his mothers permission to proceed with this process she firmly replied, “ You ain’t gettin’ no tattoo!” The disagreement provoked by differences in generations or simply preferences is undetermined, but that didn’t keep him from adorning his body with these marks. Brown’s appeal to tattoos illustrates several of the approaches mentioned above. Tattoos ranging from Jesus to Demons and Ninjas to skull- one can only question the meaning behind the multiple images he carries.

The Beckhams are another illustration of this style. Standing in society as a family not only known for the superior athletic abilities, but a fashion approach through tattoos. Victoria, the wife of David and mom of three ignores what some may consider an unappealing style. Her wrist has several delicate Roman numerals embedding the first night she spent with her husband David. Clearly this image applies to the pathetical appeal in that is of utmost meaning to her. Contrary to her small images, David makes a statement with his multiple tattoos fulfilling the standard questions mentioned earlier. His children lead one to believe this is due to sentimental reasoning. Would his image of Jesus follow these guidelines too, or is this image to make a statement and influence others? Another mark he carries is a Chinese symbol. Victoria and David clearly are drawn to this sense of style and thus carry their images with pride despite what others have said.

These individuals have received negative comments from fans, family and reporters but that hasn’t hindered them from their approach to fashion. Needless to say, tattoos are very significant external qualities that in many ways define certain aspects of an individual. The approach in which we as people of society interpret the individual images adorning ones body are usually very diverse; ranging from different opinions of class, meaning of the actual tattoo, and who the person is. Thus, are we conforming to the guidelines of acceptance in our interpreting or rather open to the meaning behind an individuals decision to carry a tattoo as a part of who they are, the fashion they are presenting to the world and their actual motives or meaning in tattoos describing them.