Best way to keep kid from getting a tattoo while in college

[Anonymous]

I don't want to start a debate about tattoos, or whether they're trashy or whatever. What I want to do is keep my kid from getting one while in college. He plays a sport that has a huge tattoo culture, is playing D1 (not sure if this matters but seems like the pressure is on) and I want to figure out a good way to keep him from getting sucked into it while he's still relatively young. Once he has graduated and is older, he can make his own decision on that.

Any thoughts or advice?

[Anonymous]

CAN'T just make sure its nothing bad and have some where where its not noticeable.

[Anonymous]

I would not, I'd just give input on placement and make sure he gets a truly great tattoo with a good artist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CAN'T just make sure its nothing bad and have some where where its not noticeable.

OP CAN'T make sure it's nothing bad or dictate where it goes.

[Anonymous]

You can't. The more you try, the more likely he will get one on his 18th birthday.

[Anonymous]

You can't.

[Anonymous]

Friend told her son that if he gets a tattoo while in college they will stop paying for college.

Now whether or not that's a good idea is debatable, but it seems to be working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not, I'd just give input on placement and make sure he gets a truly great tattoo with a good artist.

You wouldn’t want to say no but you want a say in where to put it and who does it.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Ugh. They just make such terrible decisions at this age about what the tattoo is,placement etc. Everything is a trend and fades away.... the lower back butterflies, the tribal arm bands, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't.

The hell you can’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Ugh. They just make such terrible decisions at this age about what the tattoo is,placement etc. Everything is a trend and fades away.... the lower back butterflies, the tribal arm bands, etc.

Don’t pay for anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't.

The hell you can’t.

Controlling an adult - not a good way to go.

[Anonymous]

Can I ask - what's the big deal if he does get a tattoo with his teammates? Seems like it's probably a nice way to remember this time in his life, for the rest of his life.

Placement can be terrible but so many people have tattoos it's really not going to be a big deal to anyone (other than you!).

You could try offering carrots or sticks for not getting one. Incentives are powerful! Or can be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Ugh. They just make such terrible decisions at this age about what the tattoo is,placement etc. Everything is a trend and fades away.... the lower back butterflies, the tribal arm bands, etc.

Don’t pay for anything.

I get suggesting this, but ... if he goes the cheap route the tattoo will be even worse. (I have a $39 tattoo from college; big mistake!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not, I'd just give input on placement and make sure he gets a truly great tattoo with a good artist.

You wouldn’t want to say no but you want a say in where to put it and who does it.

Yes, definitely. A bad ankle tattoo is forever or $$$$$.