Tattoos as Personal Narrative

This study explores the history of tattoos in the United States along with the role and significance of tattos today. The study's primary research question seeks to discover whether tattoos anchor an individual's personal narrative and help to solidify an individual's sense of self. The study considers both modernist and postmodernist concepts of identity, but ultimately supports a perspective which argues that identity is the result of an individual's ability to keep a consistent narrative going over time. This exploratory study uses a qualitatative approach to discern the meanings behind individuals' tattoos through their own words and conceptions. Eight individuals ranging in age, race and gender were interviewed in order to collect data for the study. The findings suggest that individuals frame the importance of their tattoos in a variety of ways from tattoos that commemorate aspects of one's past to tattoos that are highly symbolic of an individual's sense of self.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Year

2009

Author dc:creator

• Alcina, Michelle

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mann, Susan
• Compton, D'Lane
• Jenkins, Pamela J.

• Tattoo
• Identity
• Self as Narrative
• Postmodern
• Technology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/993

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-1974