Tattoos :popularity due to positive depiction in the media & influx of trained tattooist

Rihanna, a singer whose tattoos are being showcased in this magazine above.

David Beckham, a soccer player who is frequently in the media for his tattoos.

Kat Von D, a tattooist with a popular tattoo show called LA ink

Browne, P. (2001). The Guide to United States Popular Culture. Wisconsin, USA.: The University of Wisconsin Press. 

In this book the author sets out to explore and explain the trends in America during the 20^th century, including tattoos. The author underlines the media, specifically MTV as the first reason the “tattoo renaissance” occurred, and the second reason being the influx of trained, professional tattoo artists (Browne 2001). When Europeans discovered the importance of tattooing in other cultures the overall social view of tattooing changed and eventually climbed upward through the social ranks. Since the 1960’s the definition of a tattoo has changed and is now more formally recognized as an art form.

I agree with the author because the background information on the history of tattoos helps demonstrate the exact journey tattooing underwent to become popular. The author provides scholarly research to support the claims as well as personal opinions. The most common opposing position would be that tattoos by untrained tattooists are still popular in our society today.