Youth / OPINION : Tattoos, Piercing: ‘It’s a Symbol of You’

Tattoos and body piercing are increasingly popular among young people. We asked Southern California teen-agers why they think their peers do it and whether they would themselves.

ANNETTE LePERE, Senior, South Pasadena High School

I’d consider getting my ears pierced but not my nose. I also don’t think I’d get a tattoo because it’s permanent, and just because I’m in a stage now doesn’t mean I’m going want the same mark on my body 50 years from now.

Some people do it to be part of a group or disobey their parents. But I think most people do it for their own personal expression. I was in camp with a girl with her nose pierced and that’s what she said.

PAUL BURGUENO, Senior, Roosevelt High School, Los Angeles

I have a lot of friends who have tattoos. Most have a girl’s name or, for respect, their mom’s name. They said it didn’t really hurt when they got it because they were under the influence, but it did after.

I have one friend who has his nipple pierced and his nose. He said it looked cool on him and he liked the way it looked on other people. He said he was making a fashion statement.

I considered getting a tattoo a lot of times. One of my uncles who has a lot of tattoos said he would do it for me, but I said, “Nah, what’s the point?”

CLAUDIA MONREAL, Senior, James Garfield High School, Los Angeles

I just have my ears pierced, but I have a couple of friends that have their nose and lips pierced. They don’t like the ordinary. I haven’t seen anyone on campus with tattoos this year. Last year I did. They probably have them all covered up. I wouldn’t do that; I don’t feel it’s me. It would make me look weird.

JAIME ENDERLE, Junior, South Hills High School, West Covina

A lot of girls think body piercing is sexy. They have nose rings and pierced belly buttons to try to be different. I might like to try a ring, but it sure wouldn’t be in my nose. That’s not for me. And I’d never get a tattoo; it’s too permanent.

RANDALL GODDARD, Senior, Westminster High School

I have a tattoo, an American flag, on my left shoulder. I love my country and I wanted to get something to show that. I’ve wanted a tattoo since I was a kid. I’ve had it seven months.

I’m an explorer with the Westminster Police Department--that’s like a cadet. A lot of cops have tattoos. So on my 18th birthday, a couple of friends went out and got tattoos. People at school were pretty impressed; they asked me if it hurt, how long did it take and stuff like that. Tattoos are getting pretty common at school now, kind of the “in” thing.

I wouldn’t do body piercing. I don’t see anything good about that. I wouldn’t even get my ear pierced. It’s too punky for me; it makes me think of the boots and the colored hair.

VERONIQUE SY, Senior, Westminster High

I have a tattoo; it’s a circle, a yin-yang sun sign. It’s on my tailbone. No one can really see it. Most of my friends have one there; that’s what made me get one. It’s a symbol of you, it’s part of you. I would not remove it. I’ve had it for several months. It hurt at first, then the next day I was in shock that I actually got it. But I don’t regret it. My parents don’t know; I think they have an idea about it, though.

I would definitely do body piercing. I’m working on it right now, toning my stomach. As soon as I get it toned, I’m going to pierce my belly button. I think that’s so neat. It’s so different.

MARK GOLDMAN, Senior, Granada Hills High School

Two girls in my history class just pierced their belly buttons. To me, it looks stupid. But I don’t think anyone should worry about it. If they want to do that to themselves, let them look stupid. They tell me it doesn’t hurt, but it looks painful. They always wear those short tops to show it off. They probably do it because they got the urge to.

I know a couple girls with flower tattoos below the waist. It’s pretty sexy.

I would never get a tattoo. I like my skin. There’s always girls saying I should get my ear pierced, but I never would. I just don’t want anything in me. Piercing is for girls.

MARK ZAPPATERRENO, Senior, South Pasadena High

A lot of people do tattoos or body piercing to fit in with their group; it shows unity. There’s a few at our school. It’s like taking how people dress and going a step further.

I probably wouldn’t get one because the people I hang around with are what you’d call nerds. It doesn’t appeal to me to have an earring or nose ring or tattoo.

JODEE JOHNSON, Sophomore, Granada Hills High

At school, I see tons of earrings in the ears and maybe a nose pierce, but nothing more than that. I think they do piercing to be original. Maybe it’s a trend. For tattooing, it beats me. One or two tattoos is no big deal, but if you have so many that you can’t see your skin, I think that’s gross.

Body piercing I wouldn’t do. I just have my ears pierced, two holes on left, one on the right.

A tattoo is a maybe, depending on what it is and where it is. I have a lot of family with tattoos on my Dad’s side. There might be some influence from seeing them.