The Sociology and Psychology of Tattoos: Identity, Rebellion, and the Myth of Regret

There was a time when tattoos were whispered about rather than displayed. They belonged to sailors, criminals, and rebellious youth—people who had, according to polite society, either seen too much or decided they didn’t care what the world thought anymore. Fast forward to today, and tattoos have made their way into the mainstream. From minimalist script tattoos in trendy coffee shops to full-sleeve masterpieces worn by CEOs, tattoos no longer belong to the fringes of society. And yet, even in 2025, they remain controversial, particularly when it comes to assumptions about intelligence, professionalism, and regret.

I have tattoos, and I am not unintelligent. This should be an unremarkable statement, and yet, it isn’t. People still associate tattoos with poor decision-making, impulse control issues, or a lack of ambition. The reality is far more nuanced. Tattoos have always been about identity, rebellion, self-expression, and personal history. But let’s be honest—some of them are also about being young, drunk, and making questionable choices on holiday. Not mine, though. I don’t regret my tattoos at all.

But let’s take a step back and ask: why do people get tattoos? Why are some so deeply personal while others seem frustratingly generic? And why does society still attach outdated stereotypes to body art when millions of people—from doctors to teachers to politicians—have them?

The History of Tattoos: From Sacred Symbols to Social Stigmas

Tattoos have existed across almost every culture in human history. In Polynesian societies, intricate tattoos denoted status and lineage. In Japan, Irezumi tattoos were once linked to criminals but later became an art form. Indigenous cultures worldwide have used tattoos for rites of passage, protection, and identity.

Then came Western moral panic. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, tattoos became associated with those on the margins of society—sailors, circus performers, and criminals. Victorian society, in particular, found tattoos both fascinating and scandalous. Queen Victoria’s son, the Duke of York, had a tattoo, which no doubt led to the kind of pearl-clutching headlines we now associate with reality TV stars.

The 20th century saw tattoos shift from being the marks of outsiders to the symbols of rebellion. The punk movement, motorbike gangs, and rockstars of the 1970s and 1980s embraced tattoos as a statement against the establishment. But today, with middle-class professionals and influencers decorating themselves in ink, have tattoos lost their rebellious edge?

Why Do People Get Tattoos?

For me, getting tattooed was an act of rebellion and individualism. It was a conscious decision to go against societal expectations, to mark my body as my own, and to express something that words alone couldn’t. I wanted to push back against the unwritten rules about who should have tattoos and what that means about them.

But what about the people who get infinity signs, Roman numerals, or birds flying off into the distance? If rebellion and uniqueness are motivations for tattoos, why are so many of them so… similar?

The reasons people get tattoos are incredibly varied, but a few common themes emerge:

• Self-Expression & Identity – Tattoos can serve as a permanent declaration of values, beliefs, or passions. Some people choose quotes or artwork that reflect their personality or outlook on life.
• Aesthetic & Artistic Reasons – Sometimes, people just like the way tattoos look. Not everything has to have a profound meaning. If you think a tiny wave on your wrist looks cool, then fair enough.
• Commemoration & Memory – Many tattoos are deeply personal. They serve as reminders of lost loved ones, struggles overcome, or significant life events. Memorial tattoos, in particular, carry enormous emotional weight.
• Cultural & Spiritual Significance – Tattoos have long been used in religious and cultural traditions. Maori Tā moko, Buddhist Sak Yant, and Indian Mehndi are all examples of tattooing traditions that hold spiritual or ceremonial importance.
• Rebellion Against Society – Some people, like me, get tattoos as a deliberate act of defiance. Whether against strict parents, corporate dress codes, or societal expectations, tattoos can be a form of silent protest.
• Impulse, Boredom, and Peer Pressure – And, of course, there’s the small but significant group of people who get tattoos because they were young, drunk, or dared to do it by a bloke named Kev on a night out in Benidorm.

The Persistent Stereotypes Around Tattoos

The idea that tattoos signify low intelligence or bad decision-making is, quite frankly, rubbish. The assumption stems from historical class prejudices—tattoos were once associated with sailors, prisoners, and the working class. To some extent, those biases remain.

Are tattoos linked to intelligence? Science says no. Studies have shown that people with tattoos score just as high on intelligence tests as those without them. However, tattooed individuals tend to be more open to experience and comfortable with risk-taking, which might explain why some people view tattoos as a sign of recklessness. As a PhD student with tattoos, I find it amusing that people still assume body art is incompatible with intelligence or ambition.

Tattoos and Criminality: A Lingering Bias? While tattoos were historically linked to gangs and crime, this is an overgeneralisation. In Japan, the Yakuza’s elaborate full-body tattoos have contributed to a perception of tattoos as dangerous, leading to bans on visible tattoos in public pools, gyms, and workplaces. Similarly, some workplaces still discriminate against tattooed employees, fearing they project an unprofessional image.

But the generational divide is shifting. Millennials and Gen Z largely embrace tattoos, and many professions no longer care. Are we heading towards a future where tattoos are as unremarkable as pierced ears?

Tattoo Regret: The Myth vs. Reality

I don’t regret my tattoos at all. But plenty of people do.

Why do some people regret their tattoos?

• Poor decision-making – The classic “I got my partner’s name on my wrist, and now we’re no longer together” scenario.
• Bad tattoo quality – A rushed or poorly done tattoo can lead to dissatisfaction.
• Changing identity – Some people grow out of their tattoos and feel they no longer represent who they are.

But just as many people never regret their tattoos, even if their lives change. For them, tattoos are part of their history, a visual timeline of where they’ve been and what they’ve experienced.

Tattoo removal is booming, but rather than viewing this as evidence that tattoos are a mistake, it might be more accurate to see it as a sign that people change, and so does what they want on their skin. Some people don’t remove tattoos out of regret, but to make space for new ones.

The Future of Tattoos: What’s Next?

Body art is evolving with new tattoo technologies, from bioluminescent ink to tattoos that monitor health data. Can you imagine having a tattoo that got hacked?! But will tattoos ever lose their edge? Will the rebellion they once represented disappear as they become increasingly mainstream?

Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: for those of us who love our tattoos, they are not just designs on our skin. They are part of who we are.

And we don’t regret them one bit.