There is a lot of thought and feeling that goes into tattoos, whether that be design, color, font or significance. When it comes to tattoos you have to be sure about what you want because of how permanent they are.
I’m turning 18 this year and asked my mom, Lillian Sanchez, if I could get a tattoo. I’m getting my last name “Sanchez” across my back in Old English font. I went through countless designs and ideas, and landed on my last name as my late father had our family last name across his stomach. I want to carry the thought of my dad with me forever and I think a tattoo is as permanent as it gets.
Tattoos on minors are typically frowned upon by elders. People tend to say that they are “too young” to have tattoos. In most cases parents say “when you’re 18, do what you want.” My mom made it clear to me and my brothers that at 16 we were allowed to get tattoos, but the tattoo had to be family related.
Sophomore Miguel Carranza has multiple tattoos with all extremely significant meanings, whether that be his bond with God or family ties. Carranza’s most significant tattoo is his sister’s name on his forearm because his sister is like a mother to him. His tattoo represents the ways she would ensure his stomach was full, had clothes on his back and a roof over his head.
¨My parents’ thoughts on my tattoos weren’t bad because they had significant meanings to them and as long as they aren’t on my hand, neck or face they don’t really mind,” said Carranza.
Senior Nathan White also has multiple tattoos that are family related. He has his mother’s birthday in Roman Numerals; White’s favorite tattoo is the Native American inspired feather on a band around his arm; it represents his Native American grandmother who recently passed away.
White’s parents were a little more strict about his tattoos compared to Carranza’s. White had to pay for his own tattoos, and required his parents to know what he was getting beforehand.
While tattoos are looked at negatively depending on religion or social stigma, they represent who you are as a person and what you’re passionate about. This is why I’m getting my tattoo. My last name is something I’m passionate about because it was given to me by my father who passed, and getting our family name permanently put on my back is a way for me to keep my dad a part of me forever.
