When you still live at home as a teen or young adult, how do you reconcile your desires for body art against parents who don't want you to get tattooed or pierced? This sort of conflict is pretty common and I get asked about it somewhat regularly. I can't give any cut-and-dried answers, but I do have some thoughts on the topic.

No one has to sacrifice their opinions, but you, the child, do have to accept the fact that your opinion and your parents' opinions about body art might always be different. It might seem unfair or mean of them to say "no" to a nose piercing, or to threaten to kick you out of the house if you get a tattoo, but they are entitled to their feelings.

When I was in my late teens, I stated to get multiple ear piercings. My first tattoo came at 21, and that one quickly became a few. However, I'd chosen to go to college 3000 miles from home, I was done with school, working a job and living on my own. My parents weren't too thrilled that I was getting tattooed and pierced and they made it clear they didn't understand why I wanted to do these things, but they really acknowledged that I was living my own life and making my own choices. Until a break is made from having a really close relationship and life with your parents, they are going to express a lot of opinion and preferences to you about how they think you should live, especially if you are "under their roof."

Whether you're dealing with family, friends or employers, choosing to be tattooed can put you at odds with all sorts of people. My college roommate once told me it was meeting me that finally made her parents realize that people who weren't criminals or prostitutes might have tattoos too. In the end, you are going to have to work out how you want to balance your parents perceptions and reactions towards you with how you feel about yourself and how you choose to express yourself. My best advice is never take an action where you aren't prepared to face the worst-case scenario consequences.