I have been trying to piece together a physiological vs psychological platform for the use of tattoos and thus far I can’t find a definitive primer in which to lay a foundation. On one hand we have the small somewhat hidden butterfly or flower and easily come up with someone more prone to right hemisphere brain dominance. Now whether it is a show of leanings toward the introvert or extrovert is a mixed bag and whether that person displays linear or non-linear thinking is also a good question and one ripe for more study. Then we have the overly aggressive use of skin markings and come up with a huge box of mixed toys. To some, it is a form of art which might display those traits of the right hand thinker but whether or not there is a subconscious value is a person to person study. Is it truly the attempt at a work of art or is it actually the creation of a new personna? The over use of tattoos on some people can be somewhat confusing because there are two very different motives for them. One would be likened to a passive animal, reptile, bird or fish with an ominous looking defense system but is nearly harmless. The harmless Scarlet Kingsnake versus the deadly Coral snake comes to mind. They both look nearly the same with only a reversal of the red and black colored bands as a tell tale difference. The other motive, the more aggressive one, is undoubtedly the left brain alpha male and the new convergeance of the female alpha for which there are a couple of catagories to be studied also. One, the more reckless and emotionally (right brain) driven and the other more insightful and linear. Notably, both types are driven to lead and will do so at any cost. As I wrote in the beginning, it’s confusing. Right hemisphere, left hemisphere, extrovert, introvert, linear thinking or not; it’s truly the mixed bag I referred to and one must go from person to person in order to come to an educated conclusion.
First of all, my kitchen sink psychological interests inspire my to try and make sense of that kind of body art and body markers. There is, of course, a strong element of speculation. I said we would never know for sure. I also wrote "among (many) other things" because I'm aware that the reasons are clearly multifactorial and cannot be traced back to one factor only as Bobby also implied. Some may be purely aesthetic ones, others may be found deep down in your soul. The reasons David may have, needn't be those his son may have. Societal values and time keep changing. To some, tats sort of symbolise a hunger for life among other things . As for his son, we all know how monumentally important a father is for a young boy. So why shouldn't his son try to follow in his father's footsteps - at least as far as tats are concerned? That might be even more critical if the son feels he doesn't seem to have the skills that his father has become famous for. (See Boris Becker's eldest son) For David's son it would be one way of connecting to his father ....and of honoring his mother as this tattoo indicates. As Bobby wrote, it's two different things. Apart from trying to connect there's also a tendency within those kids to be different in trying to do it their way especially if the father is a celebrity. The right tats can mark this independence. They are also understood as a symbol of youth, potency, can also be a passive aggressive protest, make you feel good about yourself etc. pp. It's a mixed bag (yes, Bobby) and it's individual.
In today's world, sometimes I think some young women chose a man with lots of tats, but not necessarily face and neck, as a form of "machoism" and protection for the lady. Tats can be, and to a point, ARE, very intimidating. The man the young lady chooses can be more like a "bodyguard" to her as well as a boyfriend or husband. This "machoism" thing is just like young ladies that don't mind seeing their boyfriend or husband walking around with his baseball cap backwards on his head. I done a thread on this, and again, can be a pretty controversial subject. Some don't like it, while others aren't bothered by it at all. As far as the "tats" and "backwards baseball cap" craze, I really, really wonder the reasoning behind those boys and men that don't do it. From looking at my Farm & Ranch and Country Magazines, there are plenty of places in the U.S. that boys, men and women DON'T do/look like this.
Ive never thought about choosing a man based on how he could protect me. Having tattoos doesn't necessarily mean you're macho either...not these days anyway.
You never chose a man on bases that he would protect you, but many young women do. And, yes, many of the men who have a number of tats are macho. Look at NFL, NBA, Heavy Metal Rock singers, a lot of Harley riders (don't want to mess with them) and so on. A number of cops have them also...…...don't want to mess with the either. Military personnel, like Marines and Army. One thing for sure, "machoism" isn't dead. By no means. Some of they guys I've seen with tats on both arms, definitely look macho to us. There are those that may not fit the "macho" description, but not many. We watch a lot of PGA and I sure don't see PGA players with a zillion tats on them, or any as far as that goes.
And, I'll bet his father wears his baseball cap backwards. Perhaps not, but why would a parent make their kid look that way? Actually, we'd rather see this boy in a cowboy hat! Yes, indeed.
I think it's cute when little boys wear their caps backwards. As for tats and macho men... http://bigthink.com/philip-perry/men-who-have-tattoos-think-it-impresses-women-study-says-it-doesnt
You think it's cute, but doesn't mean everyone does. Perhaps you should get a subscription to Farm & Ranch Magazine and see the way small country kids dress. Only kidding, but
Hate to tell you this, but these boys aren't playing cowboy. These boys father is a roper and bronc rider and their mom is a Barrel Racer with WPRA in pro-rodeo. For these boys, dressing like this is a lifestyle, not just playing around.
Now that we're in agreement about what say is "cute" and what we think is "cute", back to the thread.