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A tattoo is the wound done with needles on the deep layer of the skin, in which an
injection of different colors is made to create a form. The word tattoo is from an oceanic
origin, it comes from the Polynesian tatau which is composed of ta (drawing, impression)
and tau (skin). The history of tattoos have been an important element in the liberty of
expression and identity. At first, they were simply ornamental and decorative, but then
helped to distinguish all family members from a tribe. After that, it was used as sign of
possession.
Tattoos can be related as symbols of self-identity which can bring a place into a
social context. Today, this practice is mostly done by young people which can lead to the
thought that at this age a person doesnt have enough maturity to take a lifelong decision.
Tattoos are not well seen by our society. They are related to rebellion, irresponsibility, and
even to gangs. Despite this, they have gotten popular. One of every ten Mexicans have a
tattoo, of these 33% have gotten one before turning 18, 22% between 18 to 20, and 11%
after 36 (7). So, the new generations that are growing with a more open mind and right
now are trying to self define themselves shouldnt be discriminated. Affecting their self
confidence will affect their future development, and we should not forget they are our
countrys future. Also, having the right to do whatever you want with your body, as long it
doesnt affect others, shouldnt be a reason for not being able to perform any activity or
work you have right of.
Its a very polemical subject that can be analyzed by different points.
In accordance to the ENCUP 2012 (9), 83% of Mexicans believe that in the country
discrimination for appearance exist and 61% wouldnt accept a tattooed person living in
their homes (3). This type of discrimination doesnt affect these people just in their
everyday social lives, it affects them in their professional performance. 74% of people with
tattoos have troubles finding a job (3). There isnt any scientific support in which it is
mentioned that tattoos affect the capacity to perform any type of work of a person, so
why do companies dont hire tattooed people?
As we can see tattoos dont define a persons value and they are a way to create a
self-identity for themselves, normative foundations for many societies. Values are formed
since our childhood and as we grow up we keep practicing them. As a conservative society
we are used to opress what is different, leading to discrimination. Judging a book by it s
cover is not letting people explote their potencial and, thus society has no progress.
Moral, values or ethics arent determined by the way a person looks like, its determined by
their actions. The way that the performance is carried out by the person is what does
counts.
The perception of tattoos in the professional field has change through years.
Meanwhile some companies do hire tattooed people, some others dont. As we said, this
practice is getting popular in teenagers or young adults, it is estimated that for 2019 30%
of young adults will be tattooed (4). This should be a matter for companies policies
because this young adults will be the next generation leading the companies on the future,
they are the future. Working on our day to day relationships based on respect, tolerance
and acceptance will help to step by step build a society with more tolerance and
consequent stop any type of discrimination.
Companies take advantage of their right to hire people they think that suit better
with their companies image. They have the right to establish a dress code or an image for
their companies. If a tattoo-free look is part of the uniform and its in the dress code, they
have every right to fire you if you dont follow the rules. Its not surprising that 74% of
people with tattoos have trouble finding a job if 52% of companies said they dont think
tattoos go according their organizational ideology (7).
Some organizations admit that they can contract tattooed people as long as they accept to
keep them hidden or that the hire depends too on the job position they are required.
As we can see there are a lot of issues around tattoos, but analyzing as an ethical
dilemma, the most important issue is discrimination. Do we need to keep pushing people
to keep the conservative way our society was stablished and let companies keep this high
standards? Or should we stop all kind of discrimination so our society can be more open
minded and accept peoples identity? We are a county with capable people being
discriminated, if we end this the benefits will be for all of us, for Mexico. We would see a
grown not only cultural, but as a push to become a first world country too. Eradicate
discrimination is a step that will open a lot of doors to become a better country in every
sense. As young adults we have to learn to respect, tolerate and love and at the same time
teach.
Biographic References
2) Gua sobre las leyes contra la discriminacin en el trabajo. Blog Dgital. Obtenido 04,
2016, de
http://www.blogdigital.mx/images/pdf/Guia_sobre_las_leyes_contra_la_discriminacion_e
n_el_trabajo.pdf
10) Diario Oficial de la Federacin Decreto por el que se reforma y adicionan diversas
disposiciones del Reglamento de Control Sanitario de Productos y Servicios [en lnea]
24 de abril de 2012. Direccin URL: http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?
codigo=5244887&fecha=24/04/2012
11) Hernandez, L. (2016, 02). Mxico, entre los pases que elevaron tasa de
desempleo: OCDE. El Financiero. Obtenido 04, 2016, de
http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/economia/mexico-entre-los-paises-que-elevaron-tasa-
de-desempleo-ocde.html