Reflecting on Childhood Tattoo Dreams

As I sit here, reminiscing about my teenage years, a thought struck me - what tattoo would I have gotten if it was legal for me to get a tattoo at the tender age of 12? This intriguing question pushed me to dive into my memories and imagine a world where tattoos were as accessible to 12-year-olds as they are to teens and adults today.

Age 14: A Developing Interest

When I was 14, tattoos were already a significant part of my peer group's culture. I recall wanting a tattoo at that age, but I had no idea that it was actually legal for anyone to get one, no matter their age. In fact, for quite some time, I wasn’t even aware that women could get tattoos - it was widely considered a male-only activity during that time.

It was around this time that I told my parents about my desire to get inked, but they put a halt to it immediately. Unfortunately, the circumstances didn’t align in my favor either, as I lived on a farm in rural West Devon, England, which was far from any potential tattoo parlors. That era was also influenced heavily by the prevailing attitudes in the 80s, where tattoos, especially for young people, were seen as a rebellious act.

The Symbol of a Smoker

One tattoo that stood out to me was of a skull, wearing a top hat and smoking a cigarette. I had seen a local boy with this tattoo, and it appealed to me as a smoker at that age. If I had got that tattoo at the age of 14, it might have become an emblem of my rebellious spirit and my interest in smoking, an activity I had just started. However, it was also a part of my small-town world where such a bold tattoo was more common among boys than girls.

A Missed Opportunity at 17

A flash of memory brought me to when I was nearly 18. In a moment of impetuous rebellion, I ventured to Torquay with the intention of getting a tattoo. By then, the legal age for getting a tattoo was 18. I knew of a shop that wasn’t too strict about age, but unfortunately, it was shut for the day. If I had got that tattoo, it would certainly have had an impact on my future career and personal relationships, especially as a 17-year-old.

Regrettably, the ink didn’t make it to my skin but instead remained in my mind, as I imagined different placements, such as my arm or one of my breasts, where the skull tattoo idea could have been really daring. The mere thought of it amuses me, imagining the reactions of the nuns at my convent school if a 14-year-old me had shown up with such a tattoo.

First Tattoo at 50

It's safe to say that my first tattoo came much later in life. By the time I hit 50, I had finally earned the financial means and confidence to get one done. Reflecting on my younger self, I found it quite humorous that I couldn’t afford a high-quality tattoo artist back then, let alone consider what design I would get.

Reflecting on the tattoos I had imagined at 14 and 18, I realize that my tastes and desires have evolved with time. Had I gotten a tattoo at 12, it would likely have been something small and perhaps significant to my youthful self. For instance, some young men around that age might have considered getting a symbol of a beloved character from popular culture, such as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or even a heart-shaped symbol of unrequited love, as one teenager did in 1973 by getting a tattoo of a love heart for a school crush.

Conclusion: Tattoo Stories and Lessons

Looking back, my experience with tattoos and the paths not taken is a testament to how our youthful ambitions and desires can change over time. While tattoos may have been a big deal in my teenage years and into my early twenties, they are now just a part of an ongoing journey that I continue to explore and embrace. So, if you're wondering, what tattoo would you have had if it was legal at 12? Only you can answer that question, and it's a reflection of the young person you were in that moment in time.