When I was growing up (not that long ago) tattoos, piercings (other than your ears for girls) were extremely taboo. I remember noticing guys getting their ear pierced and wearing an earring in one side and everyone would cluck their tongues and shake their heads, asking themselves, amongst themselves, what the world has come to.

Now, not that many years later, having a tattoo is a rite of passage and piercings are just as popular for boys as they are for girls. I wonder at times if this is more celebrity worship and popular culture wreaking havoc on our young people, there’s no way of me finding out whether or not everyone that has any type of body modification would have done it if it wasn’t so popular but I bet the numbers would not be so staggering.

I support freedom of expression in any way you choose, however, isn’t the purpose defeated if you’re doing what everyone else is? I daresay taboo has become common place and taboo practices have been replaced with even more reckless and outlandish doings. Sign of the times or necessary change?

I’m not knocking you if you decided to get a tattoo, hell, I’ve been thinking about getting one…I will however urge you to be original, no nautical stars, no stars period, no butterflies with hearts, no tribal tramp stamps….truly show who you are. Not who you think everyone else is, that is what led it to being Taboo.

Anastasia R.