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| Parents of Teens |
| Public online group |
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| We've all seen the teens who dress Goth, or have pink punk hair, or who have numerous piercings and/or tattoos. Putting aside our natural inclinations to shudder at the thought of our teens looking THAT different, how much "different" is appropriate? Which battles regarding appearance do you think are important? |
| Posted by Kelly on 04/16/2007 12:48 PM
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| This one is a toughy, Kelly. (LOL) I believe the self-expression is important, but I also believe that teens need to be aware of how the "older" generation will perceive them as well, especially when they are wanting a job later on. Therefore, as long as private parts are covered, tattoos are not visible to everyone, & they are cleaned, I don't see a problem with self expression. In regards to piercings, as long as they understand that with some jobs, they will have to remove the earring(?) while on the clock, I don't have a problem with it either. However, I do think a teen should not get a tattoo until they are of legel adult. The reason is b/c as a teen, their minds change like the wind does. What they like today may not be what they will like tommorrow. So, until they are at a point in time where they can make the decision & be able to live with it, tattoos should not be allowed. Well, that's my take on this issue. What does everyone else think? |
| posted by Cassandra on 04/16/2007 06:17 PM
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I THINK I'm very relaxed on this issue - but I haven't yet had to face it! I'd rather go with my teen to a tattoo parlor with a good reputation and encourage discrete placement of a tattoo than have my teen sneak behind my back to a less reputable tattoo artist who will overlook his/her minor status, and be influenced to get who knows what kind of tattoo in some alarming place. But I'd make the kid pay for it!
Regarding a "look," I might let them experiment with that then discuss why others are reacting the way they are. Once my teen decides he/she wants to be perceived in a more positive way, they can change their look to something more conventional.
Again, I have not face this issue and what I think I will do may not be what happens if the situation becomes the real deal! |
| posted by Kelly on 04/16/2007 08:52 PM
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I got all of my tattoos at a "legal" age and I regret them all...I'm not saying that everyone does, but I wish there was a waiting period or something, just to make ya think!
I agree that self expression is important, but some kids tend to take it to extremes, and as "children" there still need to be limits, kids need limits. But what harm can some make-up, hair coloring and clothing do? It may "harm" us more than them, and as one of you said, thier minds change like the wind...so what they like today, they wont tomorrow...trust me, I know...the clothes she just "HAD" to have two weeks ago, she no longer likes! Drives me crazy. I told her for school next year, she is getting some money and she can do her shopping and what she gets she gets, I'm not buying anymore clothes till Christmas! She has wasted so much of our money on clothes, I'm over it. I'm sure the girls at the Childrens home across the street love it though! That is the only good thing about it. |
| posted by Shawna on 04/17/2007 08:56 AM
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