Psychology

A research is conducted to learn about the behaviors and attitudes related to body piercing and tattoo. The study is performed to analyze the correlation between tattoos and personality. The research is done to understand whether tattoos and body piercing indicate defective personality. A survey is conducted and a questionnaire is supplied among students to learn the correlation between tattoos and personality.

Questionnaire
Do you have tattoos or piercings in your body
If yes, what was the motivation behind your decision to make tattoos and piercings in your body
Do you participate in risk-taking activities
Is your attitude to people who use alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana and other addictives positive or negative
Have you ever noticed aggressive behavior in you
Do you feel like taking risks sometimes
Do you have any desire to become a model or an image (of being a trendsetter)
Which preferences for music do you have (Goth, Punk, Metal, and Electronica)
Do you have a high tendency to hang out with friends
Do you seek parental guidance in your matters
Are you aware of the potential health risks associated with piercingtattooing
Are you a style-lover
How good are you at academics
What are the extra-curricular activities that you are interested in
Do you want to lessen your attachment with your parents and live independently
Do you adhere to the advice and admonishments of parents and other elders
Have you ever been diagnosed antisocial personality disorder
Do you lead a happy and satisfied life
Do you feel often anxiety or depression
Do you support legalization of marijuana
Do you like entertainment with elements of violence
Do you smoke or use alcohol often
Are you interested in doing activities that are dangerous or forbidden
How confident you are about your future
 Do you have a history of substance abuse, sexual abuse or suicide attempts

Literature review
Body piercing and tattooing show that the teens want to be associated with the experimental and risk-taking community (Papameletiou et al, 2003)
Youngsters desire to piercingtattoo is related to
use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and other addictives (Papameletiou et al, 2003)
desire to take risks sometimes
desire to become a model or an image of being a trendsetter
a preference for particular music genres (Goth, Punk, Metal, and Electronica) (Papameletiou et al, 2003)
a higher tendency to hang out with friends (Papameletiou et al, 2003)

Tattooed youngsters are found to be more extreme in these categories than pierced youngsters (Papameletiou et al, 2003). Piercing is far more common (23 are pierced and further 20 want to be) which starts at age thirteen (Papameletiou et al, 2003). There does not appear to be as much of a barrier to get a piercing as there is with a tattoo (Papameletiou et al, 2003).

Numerous indicate they want a tattoo (21) while currently have 8 have one (Papameletiou et al, 2003).
In the recent years there is a big increase in the number of youngsters with tattoos (who are less than 18 years of age). This is a period in life when parental control is loosened (Papameletiou et al, 2003). Studies show that there is awareness of the potential health risks associated with piercingtattooing, e.g. regular infection, HIVAIDS and hepatitis C are all noted far more frequently by the group either having or wanting these than by those with no plans for getting one (Papameletiou et al, 2003). Majority of the youngsters are unaware of this infection and other health problems. These health matters do not seem to play a role of any significance in the decision to act one way or the other (Papameletiou et al, 2003).

In both cases, there is a strong skew towards females - further confirmation that these are fashion statements - not the Macho symbol that they were in previous generations (Papameletiou et al, 2003).
Youngsters with tattoos and piercing are quite different from other youngsters. The tattooed and pierced adolescents (and even youths) are style-lovers who bother about nothing but appearance. They generally do not perform well in other areas of life. They are highly likely to use drugs and alcohol as well as prefer to lessen their attachment with their parents and desire to live in their own world. What is more, they are less likely to listen to the parents and other elders. Tattoos and piercing are the most popular trends among modern day youngsters. There is a greater number of youngsters who want to have tattoos on their bodies and there is a wide-spread tendency of tattoos within 18-19 age group (Papameletiou et al, 2003). This combination suggests that tattooing is a trend that is still growing (Papameletiou et al, 2003).

Piercing and tattoos can never be appreciated, especially with females who are more likely to suffer from health problems which are directly interrelated with body piercing. Furthermore, many of them are not aware of the health risks they might face in the future. The proportion of youngsters that identify hepatitis C as a potential health danger is low (Papameletiou et al, 2003). Piercings are more popular among youths of 18-19 years old. Even the youngsters of 12-13 years old use piercings and tattoos. 18-19 year olds are more likely (7) to be aware of hepatitis C as a health risk associated with piercing or tattoos than 12-13 year olds (2) (Papameletiou et al, 2003). This awareness is not found to be discouraging to make tattoos. Tattoo users are found to be less happy and satisfied with their lives (Papameletiou et al, 2003).

Other crucial facts related to youngsters who use tattoos and piercings are the following
Youngsters who have or want tattoos and piercings are more likely to feel stressed out (54-57) than average youngsters (46) (Papameletiou et al, 2003).

Youngsters who listen to Punk, Rhythm and Blues and Alternative music are more likely to have or want tattoos (Papameletiou et al, 2003).

Tattoo owners are less oriented towards mainstream style brands (Papameletiou et al, 2003).
Tattoo owners are found to be crying for the legalization of marijuana.
Tattoo owners are more likely to be keen on entertainment with elements of violence (Papameletiou et al, 2003).
Tattoo owners are almost four times as likely to be daily smokers as youngsters in general, and twice as likely to be weekly drinkers of alcohol (Papameletiou et al, 2003).
Tattoo owners are more likely to agree with From time to time I like to do things that are dangerous or forbidden (Papameletiou et al, 2003).
Tattoo owners are less confident about their future ten years from now (Papameletiou et al, 2003).

A student who uses tattoos and piercings has fewer chances to be successful. They would often fall into stress and other psychological problems. An individual with piercings and tattoos on hisher body would not be respected by other individuals. Tattoos and piercings are used by people who are style conscious. They are least interested in other crucial aspects of society. Numerous are the negative effects of using tattoos and piercings. Adolescents who use tattoos and piercings try to get involved in parties and fashion clubs that further take them to deterioration. They do try to alienate themselves from parents and elders which would make them deprived of parents guidance and care. Tattoos and piercing have undoubtedly numerous adverse effects on the lives of youngsters.