At what age would you let your child get a tattoo?

[SDFgirl]

Definitely 18. I have nothing against tattoos, but I would want my daughter to be old enough to make an adult decision about something so permanent.

 

[punkin]

I would never give permission. I don't like tattoos at all.
Nothing against the people who have them , one of my brothers has one and the other brother has about 6 or 7, and one of my sisters in law has 4 tats, many of my friends do. It's just a style thing-I'm not a fan of the way they look on 95% of the population. Some hot guy who is built-tats usually look good on a guy like that. Otherwise notsomuch for me.

So they can get them once they don't need my permission, that's about it.

Yeah, but what will they look like when he's middle aged (and older) with wrinkles and a beer belly?

I would never actually give permission. Of course at some point they will do whatever they want.

 

[mnrose]

I will NEVER let my child have a tattoo. Now, I fully recognize that once they are adults, they do not need to seek my permission...and, of course, I couldn't stop them.

However, the question is phrased assuming permission is necessary...and therefore, my answer is never. I would never give permission.

Much like I would not give permission for my child to marry someone before he or she is an adult, I wouldn't give permission for a tattoo. Both marriage and tattoos need to be considered permanent, and permanent decisions like that need to be made when they are adults, preferably over the age of 25 (although I only have a say until they are 18).

 

[dawn1620]

I've told several people to go have a Henna tattoo first and live with it for a few days...this one will go away on it's own.

 

[Colleen27]

Barring exceptional circumstances, I wouldn't sign for my minor child to get a tattoo. I'm pretty laid back about body modifications and would agree to most piercings, but piercings close. Tattoos are much more permanent, and I don't think a typical teen has the judgment to make that decision.

 

[SC Minnie]

45

 

[Darsa]

My sister in law has already told my DD14 that when she's 16 she's going to take her and her own DD (my neice) to get their first tattoo. Uh, not without my permission you're not!! AND you're not getting my permission!

I have no problem with tattoos; in fact I plan to have a small lily-of-the-valley done for myself in memory of my mom when I have the money & nerve. But I'm 40; I'm not going to let a 16 year old decide what to put permanently under her skin. When she's old enough to make her own way and her own decisions, that's different. She's shown herself to have a pretty good head on her shoulders so far, but she's still a young teenager. I truly feel that I'm a pretty open minded mom, but the thought of a middle-schooler with a tattoo makes me go

 

[PixieDust32]

After 21

 

[Pea-n-Me]

To me, it's not just the fact they're permanently altering their bodies forever. There are health risks as well. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020

 

[sbell111]

Regardless of what the tattoo is symbolizing, it's not something I'd give permission for. I have nothing against tattoos...but my children will need to wait until they're old enough to do it on their own if it's something that they want.

this

 

[MizTink]

i know LOTS of teens with tattoos. even a few in middle school. my nephew just got his 4th and he's only 16. my son is upset that i won't sign for him to get one yet....oh well, he'll survive.
i was shocked that so many young teens get them, but i'm used to it now. the biggest reason i don't want DS to get one yet it just because i don't want people to assume he's a thug!

 

[sbell111]

Barring exceptional circumstances, I wouldn't sign for my minor child to get a tattoo. I'm pretty laid back about body modifications and would agree to most piercings, but piercings close. Tattoos are much more permanent, and I don't think a typical teen has the judgment to make that decision.

I can't for the life of me imagine such an 'exceptional circumstance'.

 

[Pigeon]

They are free to get tattoos after they are no longer on my dime. That includes college, which we plan to pay for. If they opt to get tattoos before that, they are free to be entirely self-supporting.

 

[JuneCleaver]

House Rule: no piercings, no tattoos while I am providing tuition, housing, health insurance, etc.

I gave birth to blemish free/perfect bodies and until I am no longer financially responsible for those bodies, they will remain blemish free!

My kids know I mean it..it is the same rule that my sister in law has and my neice decided to challenge it with a tattoo. She was suddenly scrambling for college loans 3 wks before her junior year in college when her parents discovered her tattoo.

June

 

[dislaney]

No tattoos here until you're old enough to not need permission and can pay for it yourself. Even then I won't be thrilled.

I totally agree.

 

[Pakey]

I like tattoos but I don't think a teenager has enough sense to understand the commitment. My son had to wait until he was legally old enough and living on his own to get a tattoo and a piercing.

 

[mkel34]

I'm seeing more and more kids in middle schools with tattoos and the latest one I saw just appalled me -- I admit it, I'm judging. One of my daughter's 13 year old friends got this really big tattoo on her leg... a 7-line long hand written memorial to her grandfather who died 11 years ago. (says something like RIP grandpa, his dates, I will always love and miss you, etc)

Where do you live? I hope that 13 is a typo.

 

[daughtersrus]

I'm seeing more and more kids in middle schools with tattoos and the latest one I saw just appalled me -- I admit it, I'm judging. One of my daughter's 13 year old friends got this really big tattoo on her leg... a 7-line long hand written memorial to her grandfather who died 11 years ago. (says something like RIP grandpa, his dates, I will always love and miss you, etc)

I'm a pretty flexible mom. I *considered* allowing my daughter to get a small purple rose tattoo a few months back for a charity thing (for a girl undergoing multiple transplants). I ultimately decided no, but I think I was being open minded about it.

I finally decided she can get a tattoo when she's old enough to drive herself there, pay for it with her own money and sign her own release form.

What's your limit?

I posted this on the "small stuff" thread as well.

I have put my foot down with DD(20) about a tattoo. I know that she's old enough to get one but it's one of those "if you live in my house" rules. She wants one on her wrist that says something in Greek. (a word like hope or peace but I can't remember which one). DD is a SpEd major in college right now. I'm just afraid that if she gets this, since it won't be easy to hide it could negatively impact her ability to get a teaching job when she graduates. Some people may think that it has something to do with a gang.

 

[MizTink]

I can't for the life of me imagine such an 'exceptional circumstance'.

my nephew's first tattoo was to hide a scar.
it started his love for tattoos!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Generally, I would not "give permission" for my minor child to get a tattoo. Once they are 18 and pay for it themselves, they can do what they want.

I know too many people with tattoos they regret. Even at 18, many people don't realize the long-term implications and I would try to steer my kids towards tasteful designs that can be easily hidden under work attire.

Hmm, now that I've read some of your comments, I might even go the route of "not while I'm paying for your college". My oldest is just 12 and currently says she'll never get one because she does not like the look of them, and is also too afraid of needles and pain. Hopefully, she stays this way. It might be more of an issue with my younger dd.

I too, have never heard of a middle schooler with a tattoo!