Things&Ink

Should your partner influence your decision to get tattooed? asks our intern Rosalie.

‘”I have numerous tattoos, all of these, bar one, are on my legs, and have been, for the winter, months hidden under leggings. I have been thinking about getting a small jewel tattooed under my boobs, and when my artist created a flash sheet of pretty jewellery inspired designs I became even more excited by the idea. The small ornate jewel would sit nicely under my boobs and look pretty and match my other jewelled pieces. The sternum placement has become increasingly popular, not only with celebrities and tattooed women, but with artists who are creating designs to enhance this area. I am not keen to jump on the bandwagon, as such, but there is something about this placement on women that I find beautiful.'”

“My boyfriend of five years has not protested to any of my other tattoos, and although I rarely show him sketches of what I am getting, he is always happy with the design, and often chuckles at my subject choices. We met when neither of us had any tattoos and we got our first ones together in our home town, now we both have small collections and he is working on two sleeves. Tattoos for me are a way of capturing memories, showcasing my personality and more recently to simply make myself and others smile. My partner generally allows me complete freedom to permanently adorn my body how I please, and it was he who started my love affair with tattoos.”

“This was until I suggested the jewel under my bust, for reasons unknown to both of us he has been protesting. He has no problem with my other tattoos and says they are sexy, but I think it is the close proximity to my boobs and the design being on my torso that he is having difficulty with. In his mind I am still a bare skinned 17 year old, when, in fact, I am fast becoming a tattooed woman, and loving it!”

“So should your partner have a say in your subject choices for tattoos and should they influence your decision on the body area which you choose to place the tattoo?”

“As the owner of my body I would say no, but with much internet searching I can sympathise with the partners who argue that it is partly their body, as well. They are the ones who will view your body especially as age affects your tattooed artwork, and they are the ones which we expect to love us as we grow old.”

Have you denied yourself a tattoo because of the views of your partner? Or do you not consider them in the decision, as you are the owner of your body?

“As for me I am slowly bringing my boyfriend around to the idea, but he also knows that if it is something that I truly want I will go ahead and get it anyway!”