Many young people have tattoos and piercings, but in spite of their popularity, other people look negatively on people with such body art.

In fact, some people shame others for their tattoos or piercings. Junior Reyna Gutierrez, who has a tattoo of a red rose with a blossom branch, said some people think that she is someone uneducated or that she’s into illegal activity.

Senior Wendy Arrillaga, who has a sun tattoo on her ankle, said, “I would hear a lot of comments from religious people. How they’re bad for you and what not. Also, they used to tell me that the people who have tattoos are only people who are in jail, and that’s just a typical stereotype.”

Not all tattoos are super expensive and destined to make your parents angry. Wendy Arrillaga’s tattoo only cost her $30, and her mom didn’t mind that she got it.

Reyna Guitierrez’s tattoo cost her $100, but says it wasn’t that expensive because the tattoo artist was a close friend of hers who gave her a discount. Her parents were supportive about her decision to get the tattoo.

Some students tried to comprehend what it is like to be judged based on one’s appearance. Freshman Yaire Dominguez said, “I would feel bad, because tattoos or piercings don’t define your personality or who you are.”

Deshondre McCullough, a senior, said, “I won’t let anybody judge or disrespect me for my decisions because I’ll do what I want to do.”

There are students who have no tolerance for people who judge them, and would defend the ones with tattoos or piercings. “Why would you bully people just because they have tattoos or piercings?” asked freshman Christopher Tejera.

“I find tattoos or piercings as art on your body, and no one should really care about what you have on your skin. It’s your choice,” added freshman Dominique Teal.

There are some jobs in particular that don’t find it acceptable that their employees have tattoos or piercings, or require their employees to take off their piercings while they’re working. Some students at Miami High don’t support such policies.

Junior Tyrell Crane said, “As long as you’re doing your job, I don’t think it should matter. They shouldn’t care about what tattoos you have or how many piercings you’ve got.”

Freshman Samantha Diaz added, “Just because you have something marked on your body doesn’t mean that you’re incapable of doing your job.”