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KMID : 0897520040090020101
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Journal of Korean Association of Social Psychiatry
2004 Volume.9 No. 2 p.101 ~ p.110
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A Study for Phenomenology about Those with Tattoos Receiving Conscriptive Physical Examination at the Millitary Manpower Administration
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Cheon Young-Hoon
Oh Seung-Jun
Lim Myung-Sil
Kim Jin-Young
Lee Sang-Yeol
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Abstract
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Objectives: We investigated the sociodemographic characteristics, motives, and phenomenologic characteristics of tattoo in person who received physical examination for conscription at the Military Manpower Administration.
Methods: Using written questionnaires, We compared the sociodemographic characteristics between those with tattoos and those without tattoos among 19-year-olds receiving physical examination for conscription at Chonbuk provincial and Kyongnam provincial Military Manpower Administration. For those with tattoos, we additionally inquired the age they had their tattoos, methods of tattooing, where they got their tattoos, who tattooed them, motives, feelings after getting the tattoos, whether they tried to remove their tattoos and if so, why, and if they had ever inflicted bodily harm oneself intentionally. For those without tattoos, we studied their attitudes toward tattoos, motives that they think may drive people to get tattoos and their attitudes toward fellow soldiers with tattoos. We have sampled 400 subjects, 200 each for tattooed and non-tattooed groups.
Results: 1) Tattooed group had on average 11.19 years(±1.2 years) education, significantly lower that the 12.67 years(±0.7 years) of non-tattooed group(p<0.01). Most of non-tattooed group were students(78%), whereas 56% of tattooed group were unemployed. Significantly higher number of tattooed group came from a family, where their father or both parents had died or their parents had divorced, compared with non-tattooed group(X2=23.69, p<0.01). Sixty six(33%) of tattooed group had a past history of illegal behaviors, whereas only 1% of non-tattooed group had such a history. Tattooed group had higher ratio of tattooed family members and friends, 17% and 80.5%, respectively, while the respective percentage for those without tattoos stood at 7% and 11.5%. 2) Of the total 324 tattoos studied, there were 57 variations. Among those with tattoos, 66.5% had letters, proving them most popular. Rose was the most a favorable single item(19.5%). The average number of tattoos per person stood at 2.34(±1.77). Mean age of getting their first tattoo was 15.84 years old(±1.15). The most frequently tattooed body part was the thigh(27.1%). One hundred twenty seven(63.5%) of those with tattoos were tattooed by their friends or seniors. One hundred fifty one (75.5%) had their tattoos done at their own houses or friends houses. 3) Asked about their motives for getting tattoos, 25.5% answered simply for fun, 24.5% replied I don’t remember, and 21.1% said encouraged by friends or seniors. One hundred forty nine(74.5%) of those with tattoos regretted getting tattoos, and wanted to remove them. Among those regretful, 64.5% had tried to remove tattoos. 4) Our study showed that 34.8% of those without tattoos believed that people get tattoos to appear special and 31.3% thought tattooed people have tattoos to show off. Eighty four(42%) of the non-tattooed viewed those with tattoos as troublemakers or gangs, and 25.5% thought that those with tattoos have strong characteristics while 17.5% believed personality is irrelevant to whether a person gets tattoos.
Conclusion: Our research showed that there is a close correlation between getting tattoos and unstable family background, low-level of education and criminal activities. People get tattoos around 15 years of age out of curiosity and simple impulse without clear objectives or motives, and most of them regretted about getting tattoos and wanted to remove them.
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KEYWORD
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Tattoo, Phenomenon, Military manpower administration
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