Tattoos used to be considered rare, but in 2018 they are a lot more common than they used to be. A 2017 clinical report filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics cites a 2010 Pew Research Center study that shows about 38 percent of young people ages 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo somewhere on their bodies. That number includes different people from all walks of life, including teachers and doctors, dentists and bikers, athletes, pop stars, artists, and parents. Where tattoos used to be considered taboo and only associated with toxic masculinity or deviant behavior, finally people are realizing that art is just art and anyone should be allowed to rock a gorgeous tattoo.
Unfortunately, there are still people out there who think tattoos should be off limits to parents. Whether they think having a tattoo will be a bad influence on kids or they truly believe the presence of tattoos in some way indicates what kind of parent a person will be, they aren't afraid to tattoo-shame unsuspecting parents.
As with most things, moms bear the brunt of this shaming. People accuse moms with tattoos of being bad parents, promiscuous, attention-seeking, impure, and so many other terrible things. But a lot of tattooed moms are fighting back by wearing their ink with pride and by calling out the ridiculous things they've heard people say. Here, proud tattooed moms are coming clean about the rudest, craziest, and most outlandish things people have ever said to them regarding their tattoos. Click through and prepare to be amazed that people actually have the audacity to say some of this stuff out loud.
WHAT DO THE KIDS THINK?
"Perhaps the worst for me is when people say 'What do your kids think of them?' as if they should be horrified mom has tattoos." — Michelle Z.
SURELY THAT'S A REGRET
"I was at the beach with my baby and a woman noticed the birds on my side and said, 'Bet you didn't think you were ever going to be a mom when you got that, huh?' As if it were some wild, irresponsible thing I must have done before I knew better. I didn't care for the implication that I should regret my tattoo. Now I have two kids and I'm getting a half sleeve in a few months, so chew on that, lady." — Ashley A.
GOOD MOMS DON'T HAVE TATTOOS
"As a mom of three (almost four) kids, I have been shamed many times for my tattoos. My tattoos each have a significant meaning to me and are by no means vulgar, but people always feel the need to let me know that a "good mom shouldn't have tattoos." I just don't understand why people feel that tattoos affect our parenting abilities. Tattoos are a beautiful way to express our individuality. I'm a damn good mom that puts her children before all else, and my tattoos have no effect on how I parent my children." — Eileen A.
WHAT A BAD INFLUENCE
Mom Jamie Moline got a Facebook message that read, "You are presenting a negative influence to the younger generation and should be ashamed of the image you're presenting. Body art is a gateway to violent and harmful substances and your choice of covering your body in tattoos will not only affect your child's decisions in life, but also young adults who see you."
THAT'S SO 'BRAVE'
"A woman at the playground told me I was 'brave' for showing my tattoos. That felt like an insult. I'm not anymore brave for wearing a T-shirt than anyone else is. It's just skin, honey." — Anonymous
HOW MANY ARE THERE?
"People will ask how many tattoos I have. I really don't know — I'm not keeping track. When I say I don't know, they act shocked that I don't have a number. [It] makes me want to ask, how many pairs of shoes do you have? Do you know how many pairs of socks you own? How many people have you slept with?" — Michelle Z.
ONLY BAD MOMS HAVE TATTOOS
Instagram fitness star Sia Cooper took this photo as a clapback to people who call her a "bad mom" for working out too much, what she feeds her kids, what she posts online, and — of course — for having tattoos and piercings. "I’ve learned that the true 'bad moms' out there are the ones who constantly tear other moms down by judging them," she wrote.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
"No one really says anything to me, I just get looks. You know the looks. People stare. Women at the PTA look at me like damaged goods. Sometimes I think it'd be easier if they just said it out loud so I could tell them to f*ck off and we'd be done with it." — Anonymous
THAT'S SO UNLADYLIKE
"A mom asked about the Celtic knot of motherhood on my upper back … she actually yelled at me saying that no self-respecting mother would desecrate her body and exploit her kids by getting such a tattoo. She indicated that I was trying to get attention from men by flaunting my tattoos … and that my husband must be so ashamed to have such an unchaste wife." — Katie R.
COVER THAT UP
"I have a tattoo on my chest. I get asked to cover up when breastfeeding a lot. Sometimes I wonder if that's why." — Elisa K.
THAT'S NOT 'MOTHERLY'
Blogger and social media influencer Gylisa Jane was told by a stranger that she doesn't look like "the type to be a mum" because she has dyed hair and tattoos.
THE BODY IS A TEMPLE
"My mom likes to go the whole 'Your body is a temple' route with me. I tell her I'm redecorating. Having different views than her, or anyone else, is only human." — Brandie
TATTOOS ARE GROSS
"I've been told that my kids will grow up to be gang members, that my tattoos are gross and unhygienic, and that I'm unladylike for daring to have them." — Katie R.
KIDS AND TATTOOS DON'T MIX
"[Someone said,] 'You want to be a terrible person with your tattoos and piercings, go ahead. Just don't pull your child down with you.'" — Anonymous
TATTOOED MOMS CAN'T BREASTFEED
In 2015, an Australian judge actually banned a woman from breastfeeding because she got a tattoo and he was worried she'd contract HIV from it. He said, "Looking at perhaps the benefit to the child, who is 11 months old, breastfeeding, as opposed to what would be a lifelong issue in circumstances where the child contracted HIV, it is the view of the court that it is not in the best interests of the child that the mother continue to breastfeed."
THINK OF THE CHILDREN
"People get really nosy about my kids and what I'll do if they want a tattoo. Like, obviously I am okay with tattoos. I'll let me kids express themselves. And no, that doesn't mean they'll get a tattoo when they're 9. But if they want one in the future, that is fine." — Mary L.
WHAT ABOUT POST-BABY?
"'Those aren't going to look good all stretched out from pregnancy.' Sorry, but I DO NOT CARE." — Anonymous
ONLY MOMS CAN'T HAVE TATTOOS
"My partner and I both have tattoos and piercings, but I'm the only one who has gotten shamed out loud for it. No one calls him a 'bad dad.'" – Piper J.
WON'T THE KIDS BE ASHAMED?
"My mother-in-law likes to tell me that when my kids are older they'll be humiliated by me [because I have tattoos]. I have honestly never worried about that. One, what kid isn't embarrassed by their parents at that age? And two, I'm raising my kids to be accepting of all people. Tattoos aren't an issue in my house." — Anonymous
PEOPLE WILL JUDGE
"My personal favorite is when people tell me I'm going to get judged for having tattoos, like they aren't already judging me just by saying that." — Teresa F.
