Tattoos have been accepted as a form of self-expression and art for many years. Research has shown that women with tattoos, especially those with several tattoos, have higher levels of self-respect.
Lent.az reports that women with tattoos choose their own paths regarding beauty standards and how society accepts them.
According to research results, women with several (four or more) tattoos have higher levels of self-esteem compared to women without tattoos or with fewer tattoos.
In recent decades, tattoos have become more widespread and have turned into a fashion trend. However, despite this, society's attitude towards tattoos is not the same for women and men. A survey conducted in 2018 showed that women face more criticism compared to men because of their tattoos. For this reason, many women prefer to hide their tattoos.
Nevertheless, women who do not feel criticism or do not care about it derive more satisfaction from tattoos and continue to add new tattoos to their bodies.
Another study conducted in 2015 showed that women with several tattoos have higher self-respect. It was also found that there were more recorded cases of past suicide attempts among such women. The authors of the study noted that this statistic, although it sounds negative at first glance, carries a different meaning in context.
According to the research results, an increase in the number of tattoos does not cause an increase in depression or suicidal tendencies in women.
The head of the study, Jerome Koch, stated that in some cases, women replace a lost body part due to surgical operation with a decorative tattoo. According to him, tattoos can be a way to restore self-worth after emotional losses.
Experts emphasize that for many women, a tattoo is a form of self-care and is linked to self-respect from this perspective. Transforming a painful or what a person considers an ugly mark, such as a scar, into a work of art creates a sense of strength and self-confidence.
Some people choose tattoos as a memory related to death, separation, or the loss of a loved one. In this sense, tattoos can reflect a person’s emotional life and be a mechanism to cope with difficulties.
Psychology professor Kirby Farrell noted that a tattoo carries strong meaning both as a symbol and behavior. According to him, it is an expression of the desire to be more than ordinary, to live a fuller life, and to improve one’s attitude toward oneself.