Good questions - yup - for sure. I'd imagine myself wondering the same things if I had a daughter with 'the tattoo itch'. But then being someone who has veered (well, purposefully steered) down the tattoo route herself I might be something of a big oul' hypocrite if I were to dodge the actual answers.

So I organised my thoughts on this one because this actually comes up a lot:
 
A little history of the psychology behind getting a tattoo: 
 
We’ve been tattooing ourselves since the dawn of time. The Ice man’s body was tattooed - and that was over 5000 years ago!  It's not 'new' by any means, despite the radio show host's protestations. Maybe it's cyclical - and we forget - like we mercifully forgot about batwing jumpers and then they came back too! (am a biassed batwing hater...)

We have cultures all over the world who have striking and, by now, “traditional “ tattoos on their faces and bodies - and we seem to have many reasons for this down through the ages. I was thinking about these reasons while I heard that woman talking. It's not just us and it's not just now.

There have always been personal, meaningful motivations for tattoos: 

The latter two are the ones I am most interested in. They're also the ones I see as having more meaning in the context of my own practice and of our own society, where more and more we talk about mental health. 
 
* Is tattooing a form of self-harm? This was one of the questions put to me by a journalist recently. For some teens, perhaps boys in particular, the tattoo is a show of resilience and physical strength and yes, may even represent a form of self-harm in that the ritual is painful. But in my experience there is more to it than that - it is layered.
 
* For many it’s the ultimate exercise in control and control isn't necessarily a bad thing. To permanently decorate ones’ own body is a statement of defiance, celebration and durability. The clue as to the main motivator is often in the choice of image. A tattoo is to literally mark down the moment, defy the inevitable ageing process and ultimately, even death itself.
 
* For others it's about recovery from loss. I see young people choosing tattoos after experiencing a significant loss. It’s a meaningful and often very beautiful homage to the lost person or thing or way of life. It symbolises their not forgetting, and the willingness to always be reminded - a symbol of enduring love. This may be seen by some as a not letting go, a maladaptive response to grief. I understand that, but it’s not how I see it. I see it part of a process - for many, a therapeutic part. It's the ultimate act of Art Therapy, if you will.

* Another healing function, again particularly among teens and early twenty-somethings, can be that tattoos effectively cover up self-harm scars. We all know that self-harm is on the rise. There are many scarred young bodies out there. And as they recover and emerge - many choose to decorate and cover up rather than simply cover with clothing or have the scars exposed.

In this way the tattoo serves several functions - it conceals the scar, it allows for a symbol to take its place, one that has meaning, a meaning that usually refers to the pain that drove the self-harm in the first place. In this way, it serves as a reminder, and a nudge to choose a different behaviour - an adaptive one, a harm-free one.
 
* Teens and young people (and old people) often choose to tattoo post-surgery scar tissue as well. It's a lovely way to reframe an injury or medical intervention - post-cancer for example  - that may well have been life-saving. So why not make it beautiful? 
 
* The other hugely important function of the scar-covering tattoo is that it allows for questioning. The wearer knows that people will ask about tattoos - naturally. They then have a choice about how much of the story to tell. It’s another way of having a new and comforting sense of power and control  - this time, over whom to share this information with. Having something hidden in plain sight can be a comfort, even a private smile to oneself. It’s a statement to oneself, and a conversation with oneself. And for the wearer, this might be a new, novel and comforting thing. 
  
Incidentally - and just to say this isn't an advertising feature - I called into Love Hate in Cork having been prompted to do so by a client of mine who sports a new tattoo that is dripping with meaning and symbolism. They cordon off an area for self-harm cover tattoos and are very sensitive to the subject. I spoke to them about it and their policy, which is detailed and strict. And in fairness, they said they are not unique - that many shops are just as sensitive to these issues at the moment. Colour me impressed!! 
 
So, if your child wants a tattoo - I would suggest that you don't panic.

Instead, have a conversation or two with yourself and with them and... 

A conversation about these things might result in the desire for a tattoo to fade (see what I did there?). And if not, at least you'll have your answers and so will they. Everyone will be more informed - and informed consent is gold.
 
Then you can decide as a parent whether or not to allow your child to go ahead and er... make their mark.

Sally O’Reilly is the Family Psychology Experthere at FamilyFriendlyHQ. She's a Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor in private practice in East Cork with twenty years’ fulltimeexperience. She has a special interest in working with teenagers. For more info contact her through her site sallyoreilly.comor on Twitter @psychosalor Facebookat Sally O'Reilly Psychology & Psychotherapy.