Introduction
Tattoos a form of self-expression for a few people whether it be based on their own life story or it’s just a style statement. Since a lot of people have been getting tattooed in recent years a lot of questions have also started to float around the topic and one such being is professors in universities are schools allowed to work after getting tattoos. Since teachers are seen as role models shaping the next generation, can tattoos be a wrong influence on the students? Let us read to find out “Can Teachers Have Tattoos?”
Teachers with tattoos allowed or not
In brief form answer, yes they are allowed to have tattoos whether they decide to get one before becoming a teacher or after, they can have as many tattoos as they want. They are not a taboo subject inside or outside the school or university premises although to the contrary some schools have a strict rule regarding tattoos that they have to be followed if the teacher is already employed at the said institution or is interviewing for it.
Policies regarding a tattoo in school or colleges-
Some schools do not frown upon a teacher having a tattoo, and it really depends on the locality or area and the social norms people follow there, if the tattoos are seen as a taboo among the society then it’s most likely that the school also does not permit it.
Most of the schools are not that concerned about a teacher having tattoos, but there are rules in some school in terms of tattoos:
•the tattoo needs to be hidden, not to be shown to the students during or outside the classroom.
•if the tattoo includes something graphic or offensive or obscene, then it is preferred to be kept hidden and out of students sight.
•Only small tattoos are allowed to be not covered, Large tattoos are not permitted.
It’s always a good idea to consider talking to the principal of the school at any institution which includes this profession. They will clarify all doubts a teachers may have and will brief them about the policies and what is considered as acceptable or not at the institution.
Teachers with tattoos and how they influence students:
Some schools require that the teachers hide their tattoos particularly when it comes to students and shielding them from getting offensive tattoos or start to socialize with the wrong people because such behavior is said to be “Cool”.
when students were asked about their views on tattoos, surprisingly contrary to the popular belief of them being influenced in a wrong way.
In the last few years, even students have started to see it as a form of expression and art and are not really concerned with the fact that their teacher have a tattoo and is showing it publicly or showing them during a lecture.
In conclusion, it is not a bad influence on students, although for Children that at a younger age group may be at risk but if the tattoo does not have any offensive message to it then it is completely acceptable and welcomed in a classroom.
If you are a teacher with a tattoo you can take a rest of your anxiety after reading this.
Tattoos taboo or trend
Now that we are almost heading to a new year of 2023, tattoos are getting normalized in most countries and cultures even the ones that were previously strongly against the idea of inking their bodies in the name of self-expression.
As the world is changing and evolving, a lot of people around the globe are getting warmer about the idea of getting a tattoo and in some region it has become quite a trend setter and people are proud of their art.
Tattoos started to gain a lot of attraction in recent years, After the whole Corona period there has been a massive shift in the mind-set of various people which caused many stereotypes to be taken up for reconsideration and not just on one topic but several of them, tattoo being one of them, as they were previously perceived to be unacceptable in the society, are now more acceptable and being normalized very rapidly.
How tattoos have changed society across the globe?
Tattoos have also been supported by various celebrities and influential people, as they are dawning them proudly and encourage it as a form of self-expression.
It has crossed the boundaries of Rock stars to have tattoos or seen as a sign of rebellion against an authoritative figure and have been appearing on more and more people from different social backgrounds and is forming meaning in various ways for each and every person in the world. And it’s truly marvelous to see so many people coming out to create a change in the society.
One shift can be seen in students as they are now in the normalized Era of taboo things, in school students have started to take an interest in tattoos and being more supportive of their teacher if any of them have any and also come forward sometime to ask what their tattoo signifies and what it means to them or their reason for getting it.
How is this a shift? Teachers have a great way to inspire students with their stories and set up a good example rather than being negative and avoid talking about the topic, they can create a very valuable lesson through their conversation with children and teach them values that they learned which would in return influence students to instill them into their own life.
A teacher can also teach students about responsibility and keep them away from inking or scarring their bodies with something that may regret for the rest of their lives,
And if they ever do decide to get a tattoo in the span of their life they should get one and it should be meaningful and something that inspires them and allows them to express themselves more freely and uniquely in an artistic manner.
So tattoos rather being something to detest can be something truly influential and inspiring even in educational institution and professions.
Teacher’s Opinion on their colleagues having tattoos:
Teachers have also been asked whether they too approve of teachers getting tattoos or approving other member of the staff to be in the close vicinity of students with their inks.
Surprisingly, a large portion of them are very supportive of the whole issue and have no issues with tattoos or whether they should be allowed in schools to be seen openly by other staff members or students. In fact, there was almost no level of judgment among teachers or anyone in the same profession with having tattoos and some even believe it to be quite artistic.
It also has been pointed out that only the past generations have these social norms made up about the topic of tattoos, and these are people that tag them as “bad influence” or “Not professional”. Other than that, the students and teachers nowadays okay with the idea.
Is there a way that teachers can consult parents, especially the parents that files complaints or doesn’t support tattoos on teachers?
The fact that children learn what they pick up from their homes, mostly because parents have a very big influence in a child’s life, but also because they spend most of their time in their house. Now, some parents may have a problem with teachers sporting a tattoo so openly, and there can be damaging arguments and complaints against the school or the teaching staff.
In order to avoid this whole debacle, teachers can consult these parents and communicate the importance of teaching their kids the right way to assess a situation by making change to their thinking and broadening their perspective.
By doing so, the children are not truly relying on false facts and social norms to fit into the wrong crowd or getting a tattoo themselves at a young age and something they might regret later or signifies something completely vulgar or downright criminal.
Educating parents on the topic and assuring that the teachers that have tattoos are setting a truly unique and positive effect on their children, and they are not being led astray and are trying to communicate with each student and consulting them properly in a meaningful way that would further solidify the right values in them and a right place in the society and help them to develop the right mindset.
Conclusion
For a teacher, having a tattoo and being employed at a school or college is not a very Debatable topic nowadays as people are in acceptance of the trend and are respectful of their personal lives and choices and under no circumstances would fire or not hire a teacher judging solely on body art.
And if the school has some policies regarding tattoos, then teachers having them should be made aware of the rules and regulations clearly and directly to ensure a harmonious balance in the institution.
