When I was little, I always knew there was a stigma around having tattoos. I knew that people who had sleeves and who chose to cover their bodies in ink were looked at strangely and compared to a stereotype, depending on where they were.

Now that I’m older, I realize that, to some people, tattoos are a waste of money, or are things that shouldn’t even be an option. Some people have a stereotype wired in their brain that if you have tattoos, you can’t possibly be a good, respectable person.

This negative idea is even supported in the workplace, where people and environments are supposed to be respectful and equal. Many places won’t hire someone if they have ink that cannot be covered up, and they support this by saying tattoos are unprofessional.

I think that the belief is completely wrong and shouldn’t be supported by the majority of society. Tattoos are works of art, not reasons to judge someone. I’ve been surrounded by people, mostly family, with tattoos my entire life.

Not once have I thought, “Oh, they have tattoos. They must be unqualified for any kind of job or work in a social setting.”

Some of the most professional people can have tattoos. I’d much rather have a doctor who was covered in tattoos who knew how to do her job, than one who was ink free, but had to take the board exam eight times.

People who decide to get tattoos are choosing to make a life-long commitment. They’re putting a piece of art on their bodies forever, and that dedication should be admired.

Tattoos can have meanings and stories behind them, and people should not feel that it’s necessary to judge them unless they know the reason behind them.

Many tattoos are used to commemorate a memory, person, or event. People who choose to get these kinds of tattoos are willing to go through the pain of a tattoo in order to make something beautiful that will remind them of something they never want to forget.

My first tattoo was a heart-rate line with the word “sisters” etched into it. That tattoo is a reminder that my sister and I have a bond that will always be there. It’s a way for me to show my love and appreciation for my sibling.

Tattoos are not a reason to look at someone funny. When you see tattoos you should inspect the color, line work, placement, symmetry, clarity, and many other factors that go into creating a good drawing. Judge the tattoo, but don’t judge the person wearing it.