by Jordan Smith
Everywhere you look, you will find some type of art. You see landscapes, people, paintings and even physical types of art such as dancing or sports. Art is, and always has been, one of the easiest ways to portray emotions, personalities and feelings when words don’t do the trick.
In most cases, art is viewed positively and is almost praised. Parents usually tell their kids to express themselves and that they will support them in whatever they do. This mindset tends to change a bit when their child decides to express themselves through tattoos, piercings or even hair color.
I know not every adult has negative views on body modifications, but from personal experience, it is very common. Among many people of the older generations, including our parents, body modifications are frowned upon, especially in the workplace. Apparently, expressing yourself through art on your arm, or a hoop in your nose is unprofessional. I will tell you now that I strongly disagree with this mindset.
I do think, to an extent, some body modifications can be a little much. However, as I explained earlier, art is a great way for any person to express his or herself. If that’s through permanent ink on your body, a piercing (or 10) or even a funky color in your hair, so be it.
Body modifications do show the type of person you are, but just because you have a tattoo of a tiger on your arm does not mean you are any less capable of succeeding than someone with no tattoos. Body modifications are becoming more and more popular among the millennial generation, and I do believe they are becoming more accepted in society.
Changing your appearance to express yourself is a really great thing. I feel that it adds character and shows that you are not just your job; you are your own person. Many workplaces even encourage their workers to bring a bit of themselves to the work environment.
For some reason, everyone is very quick to agree with the idea that it’s important to bring diversity and personality to a work place. That is, until someone is showing these characteristics through body modifications. Although body modifications are becoming less controversial, a handful of work environments still do not support their workers having any.
I always like to argue that if I were to walk into an interview with all my tattoos and piercings hidden/taken out and got the job, they obviously hired me because I possessed the characteristics, personality and work ethic they expect in a worker.
None of those qualities change when I show my tattoos or have my piercings in, so why do body modifications matter? If someone can still perform the work that is required and successfully meet all requirements, body modifications should not be a problem.
It makes me happy to see that body modifications are slowly becoming more acceptable in work and society today. I truly hope more businesses understand that body modifications do not determine work ethic; a person’s ability and desire determines work ethic.
