By: Natasha Archary
Despite the popularity of tattoos, people still judge those with body art.
Tattoos are one of the ways people express their individuality but tattoos have a way of drawing attention to a person. Ink may also be attached to stereotypes and stigmas, a reason many choose to keep their tattoos covered.
This afternoon Kaya Drive with Sizwe Dhlomo broached the topic, “I’m not judgemental but…this is what I think about people with tattoos,” raising the question of why society still frowns upon body art?
Sizwe brought up Duduzane Zuma who started his campaign in politics wearing a T-shirt with his tattoo sleeves exposed.
Watch the clip Sizwe aired here:
The team weighed in on what they thought about people with tattoos and judgemental though Sizwe is, he doesn’t mind tattoos, however in a professional environment he’d have a bit more difficulty with ignoring them.
Listen to the team’s views here:
“I probably wouldn’t go with a banker who has tattoos, in the same vein there are just some professions where tattoos don’t sit well.” – Sizwe
Tyroline spoke about a pastor who has two full sleeves which he got before he took on the path of a church leader and yet is still being judged because of his body art.
Kaya Drive listeners also weighed in:
Research from the University of the Free State (UFS) research has been done to understand the psychology behind tattoos.
The research included 175 students, of which just under 80% didn’t have a tattoo, but half of them were considering getting one.
The aim of the research was to look at perceptions and practices related to tattoos.
The researchers found that 25% of respondents said they got a tattoo for symbolic, personal reason and 12% said that a tattoo was an extension of their personality or an expression of themselves.
Having tattoos can also make job-seeking that much more difficult, with many employers referring to them as ‘job-stoppers’.
In South Africa, most companies do not have policies relating to body modification but recruitment experts warn that there are employers who may not hire a tattooed or pierced candidate. There may not be policies because everyone is quite sensitive about discrimination.
However, experts say that there are two tattoos that are still a no-go at work, these are face and neck tattoos.
Also read: All you need to know if you’re considering getting a tattoo