It’s really not that serious, I’m just getting my hands tattooed, but my parents insist it makes you unemployable. I’m disabled and already unemployable. I’ve wanted these since I was 17 and it’s important to my image of myself.
I’ve always hated my hands. I’ve always been insecure about how small they are. Being a guy with small hands is a recipe for being made fun of. I want to look at my hands and actually appreciate them instead of hating them. The designs I have chosen are from a media super important to me, and represent endangered species which is my passion in life.
I’m having my friend do it, She’s a great tattoo artist and I trust her completely to make them look great. I just know my parents are gonna flip and be mad at me. I need to know how to not care. I’m autistic and suffer from awful rejection sensitivity dysphoria. I’m already feeling the RSD bad just from bringing it up to them. How do I stand strong in my decision when they’re gonna see them all the time?
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You wanted these since you were 17. How old are you? Only asking, since this implies you’re older now.
No, they are completely right
Good tattoo artists won’t do hand tattoos on anyone who isn’t already fairly covered. I have 13 tattoos but I don’t have enough ink to get hand tattoos. I’m disabled, so I get it. But you have to think about your future, are you sure at 21 that you’ll never get a job?
I would hold off on that.
I have tattoos myself, I think it’s a bad idea. Face, neck, and hand tattoos aren’t something easily covered and will limit your opportunities.
And if the artist messes up on a single thing, it’s going to be on display, not just for everyone else, but you will see it everyday.
I’m 46 and just got my first large tattoo. I have several smaller ones that are in easily coverable spots. This new one takes up the whole underside of my forearm. I’m so nervous for what my mother is going to say. I know I’m an adult, but it still makes me scared of what she’ll say. Definitely did not make me unemployable lol. Hardly anyone cares anymore. There are still some healthcare facilities that require them to be covered but most other careers don’t care
A hand tattoo is not a good idea, friend. It’s easy to mess up and then there’s no going back. You say you’re only 21? You are SO young. You have your whole life ahead of you and who knows what interesting or unexpected opportunities will come your way as you grow and mature. Something like hand tattoos absolutely can limit your future options. It shouldn’t be that way, but it that’s just the reality.
Your parents are right.
If you DO ignore their advice and go get your hands tattooed, you’re just going to have to accept their reaction to it. It’s your body and you have the right to get tattoos if you want to. But they also have the right to their own opinions. So if they’re unhappy, they’re unhappy, and there’s nothing really you’re gonna be able to do about that. You just have to decide for yourself if it’s all worth it.
Wishing you the best 🙂
I support you. I’m autistic too and it’s hard to explain to others when something just feels wrong (like looking at your hands) and the internal scream to fix it. And the joy that comes with being able to express yourself authentically.
Some people will probably judge you, but it might depend on the places you live (small town vs big city) and the people you interact with. I’ve personally never thought anything of hand tattoos. And since you described yourself as unemployable, if you find a job one day it probably won’t be a job you have to dress in a suit for every day.
Don’t do that.