Tattoos have transcended cultural boundaries, becoming a mainstream form of personal expression around the globe. Whether it’s commemorating important life events, showcasing art, or reflecting identity, tattoos are more popular than ever before. However, when it comes to the gender dynamics of tattooing, the question often arises: What gender gets the most tattoos?
In this article, we’ll explore the intricate relationship between gender and tattoos, analyzing trends, historical influences, societal perceptions, and personal motivations. This deep dive will provide an understanding of how tattoo culture interacts with gender, how it has evolved over time, and where it stands today in terms of tattoo prevalence between men and women.
A Brief History of Tattoos and Gender
Tattooing in Ancient Times
Historically, tattoos have been present in a variety of cultures, each with different gender roles in tattoo practices. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Samoans, and Polynesians, practiced tattooing as an integral part of their spiritual, cultural, or social identity. In many of these early societies, both men and women were tattooed, but the reasons behind getting inked often differed by gender.
Egyptian Tattoos: Evidence from mummified remains shows that Egyptian women bore tattoos, which were likely seen as a form of protection or a rite of passage. Women were more frequently tattooed than men, perhaps as a way to ward off evil or during childbirth.
Polynesian and Samoan Tattoos: Tattooing was integral to Polynesian and Samoan culture. Both men and women were tattooed, but men often had larger, more elaborate tattoos, symbolizing their warrior status, social rank, and strength. Women’s tattoos, though less extensive, held deep personal and spiritual significance.
Japanese Irezumi Tattoos: In Japan, tattoos were historically linked to both criminality and religious devotion. Samurai and criminals were often tattooed as a mark of status or punishment, with men dominating the tattoo scene. Women, by contrast, rarely received tattoos unless they were affiliated with certain religious practices.
See also: Did Vikings Have Tattoos? Myth and Mystery of Viking Body Art
Tattoos in Western Culture: From Rebellion to Mainstream
In Western societies, the relationship between gender and tattoos took a different path. Until relatively recently, tattooing was largely associated with masculinity, rebellion, and subculture, with sailors, soldiers, and criminals being the primary bearers of tattoos. Tattoos were seen as symbols of ruggedness, risk, and toughness, qualities traditionally aligned with male gender norms.
Sailor and Military Tattoos: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, tattoos were commonplace among sailors, representing their journeys, adventures, and battles. These tattoos were almost exclusively worn by men, reflecting their occupations.
Rebellious Subcultures: During the 20th century, tattoos became associated with rebellious subcultures such as bikers, punks, and rock musicians, again primarily linked to men. Women who chose to get tattooed were often viewed as defying societal norms, adopting a rebellious, countercultural stance.
As the 20th century progressed, however, tattoos began to shed their exclusively male, rebellious connotations and gained popularity as a form of personal expression for both genders. Today, tattoos are no longer confined to specific subcultures or gender norms, and both men and women proudly display their ink in a wide array of contexts.
Modern Trends: Who Gets More Tattoos, Men or Women?
As tattoos have entered the mainstream, they’ve been embraced by people of all genders. However, recent studies and surveys suggest that there has been a significant shift in the gender dynamics of tattooing.
Statistical Insights: Women Outnumber Men in Tattoo Prevalence
Over the past few decades, numerous surveys have pointed to a growing trend: women are now more likely to have tattoos than men. Several studies from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia show that the percentage of women with tattoos has surpassed that of men in many regions.
United States Surveys: In a 2019 Ipsos poll, 38% of women reported having at least one tattoo, compared to 27% of men. This marked a significant change from earlier decades when men were more likely to be tattooed.
The British Experience: A YouGov survey from 2016 found that 30% of women in the UK had tattoos, compared to 20% of men. Women were also more likely to have multiple tattoos than their male counterparts.
Global Trends: In countries like Australia and New Zealand, similar trends have been observed, with women outpacing men in tattoo prevalence.
Motivations Behind Tattoos: Gendered Differences
One possible explanation for the increasing prevalence of tattoos among women is the shift in how tattoos are perceived and the reasons people get them. While tattoos have become more accepted in mainstream society, the motivations behind getting inked can vary by gender.
Women’s Motivations: Research shows that women are more likely to get tattoos for deeply personal reasons, often tied to identity, empowerment, or memorialization. Many women choose tattoos to commemorate important life events, honor loved ones, or mark significant personal achievements. Tattoos are also a form of body positivity and self-expression for many women, allowing them to reclaim and adorn their bodies in ways that are meaningful to them.
Men’s Motivations: While men also get tattoos for personal reasons, they are more likely to cite aesthetic or symbolic reasons, such as a desire to express masculinity, toughness, or belonging to a particular group or subculture. Men’s tattoos are often larger and placed on more visible parts of the body, reflecting a tendency to display their ink as a marker of identity or status.
Tattoo Placement and Gender Preferences
Another interesting aspect of the gender tattoo divide is the difference in tattoo placement. Surveys suggest that men and women often prefer different parts of the body for their tattoos, though these preferences are not universal.
Women’s Preferred Tattoo Locations: Women tend to choose more discreet areas for their tattoos, such as the wrist, ankle, ribcage, or back. These locations allow for more privacy and subtlety, which may reflect lingering societal norms around femininity and decorum.
Men’s Preferred Tattoo Locations: Men are more likely to get tattoos on visible parts of the body, such as the arms, chest, or legs. This preference for more prominent locations aligns with traditional associations of tattoos with masculinity, strength, and public identity.
However, these trends are gradually changing as more women embrace larger, more visible tattoos, and as men opt for more delicate, personal designs.
Societal Perceptions: The Double Standard of Tattoos for Men and Women
Although tattoos have become more accepted in mainstream culture, societal perceptions of tattooed individuals still differ by gender. For a long time, there was a significant double standard when it came to how tattoos were viewed on men versus women, and remnants of that double standard persist today.
Historical Stigmatization of Tattooed Women
Historically, women with tattoos were often stigmatized as rebellious, promiscuous, or unprofessional. This stigmatization stems from the idea that tattoos were traditionally seen as symbols of defiance or deviance—traits that were often considered unbecoming for women, especially in conservative societies.
Victorian Era and Early 20th Century: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tattooed women were often part of circus sideshows or labeled as outcasts. Tattoos on women were associated with a break from traditional female roles, making them objects of fascination, but also of moral judgment.
20th-Century Counterculture: Even in the latter half of the 20th century, when tattoos began to gain popularity among subcultures, tattooed women were often viewed as more rebellious or countercultural than their male counterparts. A tattooed man might be seen as tough or assertive, while a tattooed woman might be labeled as inappropriate or overly sexualized.
Evolving Perceptions and Modern Acceptance
In recent decades, however, the stigma around tattoos, especially for women, has significantly diminished. Tattoos are now embraced by people from all walks of life, and women, in particular, have been at the forefront of this cultural shift.
Professional and Social Acceptance: Today, it’s not uncommon to see tattooed women in professional settings, and tattoos are increasingly seen as an acceptable form of personal expression, regardless of gender. Many women proudly display their tattoos in public and professional environments, often using them as a way to challenge outdated societal norms.
Body Positivity and Empowerment: For many women, tattoos have become a form of empowerment, allowing them to reclaim control over their bodies and reject societal expectations of how they should look. The rise of the body positivity movement has further helped normalize tattoos for women, celebrating diverse bodies and forms of self-expression.
The Remaining Double Standard
Despite these positive changes, some remnants of the double standard still exist. Tattooed women may still face more scrutiny or judgment than tattooed men in certain conservative or professional environments. For instance, while visible tattoos on men are sometimes seen as rugged or rebellious, women with visible tattoos may still be subject to more critical scrutiny or stereotypes.
Conclusion: Gender and Tattoos in the 21st Century
So, what gender gets the most tattoos? Today, women are slightly more likely than men to have tattoos, a reflection of broader cultural changes in how tattoos are perceived and embraced. However, both men and women are active participants in the modern tattoo movement, and the reasons for getting inked are deeply personal and varied across genders.
As tattoos continue to evolve in mainstream culture, the gender dynamics of tattooing will likely shift further, with more people embracing tattoos as a form of self-expression, body art, and identity. Whether male or female, tattoo enthusiasts are leaving their mark—quite literally—on the world.
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