Women with tattoo(s) in Hong Kong

Abstract

In Hong Kong, tattoos have been portrayed and recognized in negative manners as deviant and infraction. Tattooed women have a greater potential to be stigmatized due to the cultural norms in relation to the gendered role and body. This study aims to explore women’s experiences and feelings for having tattoos in modern Hong Kong society. A qualitative approach was adopted in order to understand a) reasons for women having tattoos in Hong Kong; b) meaning of tattoos’ location on women’s body parts; c) meaning of tattoo symbols and designs; d) differences of perception from others and the image presented for women after having tattoos. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted with tattooed women to draw out their thoughts and feelings on their tattooing experience in a local context. Our findings revealed that women getting tattoos have become more common in modern Hong Kong society. We have described the reasons for women having tattoos in Hong Kong and explored the correlations between self image and tattoos. Various reasons including aesthetics, self-expression and self-representation have made significant contributions to women having tattoos. Although tattoos have always been associated with deviance and stigma in the past, we found that tattoos are likely to have a positive impact on tattooed women’s self-image and identity after having tattoos and they were not influenced by negative associations and traditional gendered framework on their decision for having tattoos.