Abstract
study examined tattooing and body marking in high school
students in government schools. Data were obtained by questionnaire and
in-depth follow-up interviews. The sample consisted of 460 male and
female high school students. Of these, 229 were females and 231 were
males. Subjects were selected randomly from four schools and selected
purposely from one other. Of the sample, 13.58% had tattoos and the mean
age at which subjects had acquired their first tattoo was 12.3 years.
Approximately 70% acquired their tattoos through self administration, while
over 22% obtained them from friends or family members. The two main
reasons cited for obtaining tattoos were "boredom" or "because I felt like it".
Crude instruments such as needles, razors, combs and other sharp objects
were most commonly used to administer tattoos in highly visible anatomical
locations (e.g., arm and hand). There were differences in the types of
designs acquired by male and female subjects. Health awareness of subjects
was poor in that only 50% thought it possible to catch a disease from
tattooing. More specifically, only 40% thought it possible to catch AIDS,
and only 25% thought it possible to catch Hepatitis. Subjects realised the
difficulty in removing tattoos, yet many had attempted removal using items
such as glass, razors, and in one case, a potato peeler. Interestingly,
although subjects with tattoos were often in 'time out' or suspended from
school, they had a positive attitude towards school.
students in government schools. Data were obtained by questionnaire and
in-depth follow-up interviews. The sample consisted of 460 male and
female high school students. Of these, 229 were females and 231 were
males. Subjects were selected randomly from four schools and selected
purposely from one other. Of the sample, 13.58% had tattoos and the mean
age at which subjects had acquired their first tattoo was 12.3 years.
Approximately 70% acquired their tattoos through self administration, while
over 22% obtained them from friends or family members. The two main
reasons cited for obtaining tattoos were "boredom" or "because I felt like it".
Crude instruments such as needles, razors, combs and other sharp objects
were most commonly used to administer tattoos in highly visible anatomical
locations (e.g., arm and hand). There were differences in the types of
designs acquired by male and female subjects. Health awareness of subjects
was poor in that only 50% thought it possible to catch a disease from
tattooing. More specifically, only 40% thought it possible to catch AIDS,
and only 25% thought it possible to catch Hepatitis. Subjects realised the
difficulty in removing tattoos, yet many had attempted removal using items
such as glass, razors, and in one case, a potato peeler. Interestingly,
although subjects with tattoos were often in 'time out' or suspended from
school, they had a positive attitude towards school.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Masters |
| Awarding Institution |
|
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Unpublished - 1993 |
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