Honors Program Theses

Award/Availability

Open Access Honors Program Thesis

First Advisor

Michael Fleming

Abstract

This study explores the motivations behind tattoo acquisition and the meanings individuals attribute to their tattoos, with a focus on a college-aged population in the Midwest. Using an online survey, I gathered responses from 649 participants to understand the cultural, social, and personal factors influencing tattoo decisions. The results show that tattoos are increasingly viewed as a form of self-expression, with significant differences in motivations between genders. Key motivations for obtaining tattoos include honoring relationships, personal expression, and commemorating life events. Additionally, the study highlights the role of peer influence in tattoo acquisition, suggesting that exposure to tattooed friends is strongly correlated with an individual's likelihood of getting a tattoo. While tattoos have become more socially accepted, stigma persists, particularly concerning visible facial tattoos. The research explored a possible link between childhood adversity and tattoo motivations, no significant relationship was found. However, some participants’ responses still suggest that tattoos may serve as personal symbols of resilience and identity. Limitations of the study include its narrow demographic, regional constraints, and reliance on self-reported data. Future research should aim to explore a more diverse sample and employ longitudinal methods to better understand how tattoo meanings evolve over time. Keywords: Tattoo motivations, self-expression, peer influence, gender differences, social stigma, childhood adversity, identity formation, tattoo culture, Midwest, college students, body modification

Year of Submission

2025

Department

Department of Family, Aging, & Counseling

University Honors Designation

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the designation University Honors

Date Original

2025

Object Description

1 PDF file (34 pages)

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Download

Comments?

Share

COinS