What age kids be able to decide if they want a tattoo?? my husband and I both have tattoos that are both random and meanigful and regret none of them…my daughter wants to get a tattoo on her 16th birthday in remembrance of our dog of 16 years who passed…it is nothing big an di am all for this because its memorable and both her dad and i have tons of tattoos…he has an issue with this on the other hand and I cant quite figure out why…he just keeps saying no
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When my daughter turns 17 we are going to get matching tattoo
mine all get them on their 17th birthday
Is the ocean deep?! It’s their body they should be able to make that decision.
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Perhaps compromise and place the tattoo that can be covered for work etc if the need arises. Before tattoos became acceptable (many people still don’t think they are) you would get them placed where they could only be seen if you were in sleeveless tops, shorts etc.
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My rules have always been… the kids can do whatever they like before 18 as long as it can be covered for future work. (Sometimes work places can be harsh on visable tats or facial piercings)
But after 18… go for gold with whatever they like.
Their body. Their choice
I got my first tattoo when I was 13 with my mom’s permission. I still love it. But… now that I have a daughter I believe that 13 is too young. I got another tattoo when I was 15 and another at 17 with my dad. Those I still love and I thought on them longer at that age. Mind you they really don’t have much meaning…lol. Anyway I think 16-17 is the perfect age and your daughters reasoning is perfect. I know she’ll always love it. Totally worth it 
Honestly, I’d compromise.
Most places now won’t do them till 18
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I dont see an issue. Mise well take her to a professional then having Joe Smith do it in someone’s kitchen. As long as it’s tasteful as you said it’s a remembrance so I think go for it. Why not. I’d let mine if she wanted. I was morwi not piercings so my mom took me to get belly button done at 16… just because I wanted it… my father took my older brother for his birthday I think 17 because they wouldn’t at first well he did a kitchen tattoo (that’s what I’m gonna call it) and it got infected. It was a small cross but the person did it bad. (He got a bigger cross and color to go over it. He was 15 for the other one or so… idr. )
My son got his first tattoo at 15 his second at 16 and going for third soon still 16 will be 17 this July. I love tattoos maybe that’s why it doesn’t bother me. As long as it’s meaningful and an awesome design. And no girl names. Only mine😄
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My mom took me to get my first tattoo when I was 14, she of course made sure I got something that wasn’t inappropriate and wouldn’t regret. She always thought back to being my age at the time and being able or wanting to do things. And she saw it as I could want or be doing worse lol. But also it was her comprise to me wanting to go see a comedian live a state over. Plus I think she saw it as I was a pretty good kid and didn’t ask for much.
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I can’t under stand why aney one would wount to be marked for life.
A tattoo on a woman. Is like a bumper stalker on a sport car.
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All you need is a parent’s signature and tadaaa
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Wtf lol. The law is 18 for a reason 
Jesus, just say no?
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A tattoo in remembrance of a fur family member is ok in my book.
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I was 17 and it was my 16th bday present.
I told my daughter maybe at 16 or 17 I’d think about it
I started getting tattoos at 16.
I got my first at 16 and that is the age I will allow as well 
I don’t regret mine, just who was with me when I got it.
All My tats are meaningful 2 out of 5 are cats the other 2 are of my sister who is forever 22
And the other is one I did my self that looks so bad can’t even tell what it is but it represents the house I burt down when I 8 that I got all the blame for
So do it for her befor she trys do it her self and makes a mistake
In certain states you have to be 18… no exceptions or parent permission allowed.
My daughter and I got a mother daughter tattoo on her 16th birthday.
I don’t see any reason why not as long as it’s not wildly inappropriate. Maybe he just needs to come around or he’s afraid of all the judgemental a**holes in this world.
My first tattoo I believe I was 17 with my dad’s permission and he had one at the same time, my next one I was 18 
I didn’t allow my daughter to get one until she was 18…# we got matching
Talk to the dad again and ask why he feels the way he does about her not getting one. I wouldn’t just do it. May cause problems in long run with you two. I think 16 is a reasonable age. If my kids ask me around that age I don’t think I would mind as I have many tattoos and both my kids father’s do as well. I don’t see them having an issue either.
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I started at 16 and my parents took me. As long as it’s not something completely stupid I really don’t think it’s a big deal
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- When the child can can legally sign on their own. Then it’s their decision
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My rule is my kids can’t do it until they can sign for it themselves. She’ll still love the dog in 2 more years. I won’t let my child who I’m responsible for blame me later if they don’t like it. I have 7 large tattoos, so I’m not against them once they’re old enough to consent on their own.
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If they aren’t old enough to sign for themselves, they don’t need a tattoo. It’s not something they can just get rid of easily later, and teenagers are notorious for changing their mind. I’m with the dad on this one.
Adding, I know a lot of tattoo artists and none of them would tattoo anyone at 16. I’d question how reputable a shop is that would allow it, personally.
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Depends on the law where you are. Some day minimum 16, some are 18. Also artist’s discretion. Some may not want to tatt under 18’s as they’re still technically children and no matter how large or small, they’re still inflicting a certain amount of pain on someone, a child, so check with local parlours
Told mine to wait till they are 18 also reputable tattoo artists in my country wont tattoo minors.
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I don’t see a problem as long as the tattoo isn’t too large, too visible, or offensive. I wonder if your husband would be so against it if your daughter was a boy. I think not, so it seems that there’s a bit of sexism at play there.
If you can find a place at 16 I don’t see an issue. If they can make the decision to drive and have sex (with another 16/17 year old) they can decide for a tattoo.
I’ve wanted the SAME tattoo since my 16th birthday. Still don’t have it but I’m 31 and saving for it!!! It’s not too young to make a lifelong decision
Absolutely not, speaking from my own experience.
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At 16 something small she can hide easily in the future is alright
Have a talk to her not just about the tattoo but brain development
Her brain has another 9 years to go before it’s fully formed and she might think about tattoos differently when that happens, her body also has a lot of changes to go through still so having it in a place that isn’t likely to ‘stretch’ is something to keep in mind as well
Yeah . It’s not a big deal. I have them & my husband has them. My brother is 17 and wants one. My mom don’t care but my dad makes it a big deal so I told my brother, I’d take him when he turns 18. I got mines at 18 when I went off to college. My daughter is only 1 but if she comes to me at 16 or 17 asking for one, I’d let her long as it’s not anything outrageous lol and she can hide it .
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I couldn’t get any until I was 18. I know lots of people who got them in high school though.
Has to be 18 legally.
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Other than what the law states - this is a decision for her parents.
Whether you agree with tats or not is irrelevant. If you as parents can reach an agreement on what she should do, then that’s good enough
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I have 2 Tattos myself and I plan on getting more. However I wouldn’t Allow any of my children to get one at age 16. They can wait till they are older enough to sign for themselves.
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If it has serious meaning, I would allow it!
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All 3 of my daughter’s got their first tattoo at 16. They started asking around 13 or 14 and I told them when they turn 16 on one condition, they had to decide on what they wanted and I had to approve it but they had to pick it out at least 6 to 8 months before and they still had to want the same one when they turned 16. I had to sign for them to get them since they were under 18. My son didn’t get his first tattoo until he was 18 and that was his choice even though he had the option at 16.
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I got my first at, 16 and was told it had to be some where I could cover
I come from a heavily pierced/tatted family and we treated it like a reward for good grades/behaviors… I was in 8th grade when I got my lips pierced at the parlor for getting all A’s that year… I have a decent amount of piercings but I personally only have 2 tattoos and they’re really small 
but they’re meaningful to me… also lack of $$$ or I’d have so many more! I was allowed once I turned 16 to get a tattoo but I couldn’t decide on what I really wanted cause I’m a sentimental person.
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Well it’s illegal to tattoo anyone under 18 so there shouldn’t be anywhere who would do it
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I would wait till she has reached the age of consent. Yes it is a Memorable thing and special to her, and that being said it will be all the more special if she waits. Have her take this time to draw it out and perfect it for the artist because as you know once it goes on her skin thats it. I personally love tats, especially when they have meaning and are connected to other tats that continue a story on the canvas of the owner.
Honestly if it was legal in my state and one of my kids wanted something I wouldn’t mind …but unfortunately for my kids, in California you need to be 18 with a valid I.D… but I’d be the first volunteer to go with them on their 18th birthday…haha
If my kids at 16 asked id sign for them . it’s art some people hang there’s other people wear it 
If my kids asked for a tattoo at that age i would make them.wait and see if they still wanted it, i would also make sure it wasnt a quick non thought tattoo. But i would allow it.
Ive got quite a few myself but i didnt get my 1st till i was 21
Definitely wait till 18
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I don;t think anyone should get tatoo’s…they look awful, make one’s body look cheap…besides…God said in his word not to put any kind of markings on the body.
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I was 16 and I got a flower at the top of my shoulder and I will allow my children to get them at 16 if that’s what they choose to. So long as it’s nothing ridiculous 
I have tattoos but I had my son wait until he was an adult to get his and my youngest is 15 and she wants a tattoo as well but she is waiting until she’s older as well
Wait until 18 when she can make the decision herself without needing parental permission
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Talk to him, and talk to her. Ask them both to reason why they do / don’t want it. His reasoning might simply be that he thinks she needs to wait until she is 18 to make her own decision about permanently altering her body. It’s not something she can scrub off, or remove (not easily, anyway) if she later decides she doesn’t want it.
It’s a tough job being a parent. We want to give our kids everything. But the decisions we make for our children can affect the rest of their lives. He might think she’s not mature enough yet to make that decision … and doesn’t want her to blame him later on if she regrets it.
Dads can be a little protective of their daughters … I know when I was growing up, my dad wouldn’t let me get my ears pierced, and after I talked my mom into a short haircut at the age of 9, he got so mad that he wouldn’t let me get my hair cut again. I had to wait til I moved out … and to another state … before I dared cut my hair. I was 25 before I got my ears pierced.
Dads just have a thing about their little girls. Maybe he’s struggling with accepting that she’s growing up.
Talk to him. If it’s that important to him, then talk to your daughter about waiting until she is 18. If it’s that important to her, she will still be able to get one then. It will also give her more time to think about where she wants it placed, and it will give her more time to possibly create a really nice design.
Good luck.
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18 when they are considered an adult
Just talk to em n make sure they understand that what they think os a great idea now may not seem so great when theyre older. People changed. I actually regret every tat I have but I’m so glad I didnt get other things I wanted…
I think he says no because she’s not an adult yet rather wait till 18 , she’s a girl still too young
A memorial tattoo, absolutely.
Anything else, let them think on it for awhile. I got tattooed at 16, but I wish I hadn’t but mine were impulsive tattoos and I didn’t think too much before getting them.
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If it’s a tat that can be seen it could hinder her later when trying to get a job
In a lot of places you have to be 18 even with parental consent… personally I would probably make my daughter wait until she’s an adult to be able to make a mature decision of something that’s going to be marked on her body forever
I would say yes considering what and why she wants it
I tell my kids. Certain piercings i will allow at 16 an tattoos/anything else body mod wise after they are 18 an only bc tattoos are permanent. I want them to be sure an not regret or base thier decision on what they think others may think bc I feel high school puts certain pressures on kids(not to say that doesn’t happen after 18 but I have no say after they become adults).
Would be a yes from me as it’s a memorial tattoo
Can you get tattooed at 16 in America? In the UK it’s 18…if its legal to do it at that age, let her do it
My daughter is going to be 18.has had a tat for almost 2 years now
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My brother in law does tattoos…my kids are 27, 23, and 21…only the 23 year old has asked for tattoos…I feel like when they are ready…they are, some kids are built different than others
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I would say yes as it’s a memorial tattoo of your beloved dog
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Just wait. As a teen, I was so certain that I wanted specific tattoos and I regret every single one of them. Now I’m removing all of them as an adult and it’s a very slow and expensive process. Do your teen a favor and say no. They’ll thank you later.
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Get a small one that’s covered
I wasn’t allowed to get one until 18
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She can wait 2 years
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I told mine to wait till they turned 18. They fussed some but waited.
She can wait to think about it to make sure she deffo wants it
As I got my 1st tattoos at 18+19 and I regret one of them still to this day
But the other I don’t as it was for my dad
Who has now passed
So am getting a wee star next to his name
I’d say wait a yr or 2 but upto you hun xx
We do tattoos but my son was told he could only have when he turns 18… Which is legal here. I am paying for it as his gift, but definitely not before 18.
I’m covered in tattoos. My 15 yr old wants a memorial of her grandmother which is lovely but I’ve said I’ll pay for it for her 16th bday
My mum took me at 17 almost 18 in the uk for my present she had to convince dad though
I had my first one for my 16th birthday, I say so long as you’re both comfortable with it and it’s deffo what she wants… why not 
Luckily for me, I have sole custody and get to make all the decisions for my kids on my own.
I have told my children that when they are 16, if they want to get a tattoo that means something and they save up money to pay for it, I will take them to get it and sign for it.
I have 17 tattoos and counting and I will take them to a shop where I know the tattoo artists and that is clean.
My child wants a tattoo at 14 and I would allow it if Alabama still let them do it at 14 
My parents let me get a tattoo at the age of 15, the tattoo was for my grandma who passed away. Her and I had a very close connection and to me it was something special as I would always have her with me where ever I went. I would say yes, as it’s something meaningful and not just a tattoo of something not. For your husband maybe it would sooth him if your kid got it in a hidden spot? Not so exposed for everyone to see? Maybe sit down with your kid and husband have a talk about it and have your child point out why he/she wants it. That might help. Both my parents at the time weren’t tattooed, but they understood why I wanted the tattoo so badly. To be honest, my parents weren’t even with me when I got it. I called and asked, so I totally could have got something different. But I didn’t because it meant that much to me.
Also, your child can go out and possibly get a tattoo by someone who is not a professional, dirty needles, ect. It’s better to be safe than sorry and let he/she go get the tattoo done by someone who is a professional.
I would allow her to get it but maybe in an inconspicuous place, under sleeves etc.
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My niece got a tattoo at 16 with her mom’s permission, it’s a memorial piece for my dad.
Sure its there body their choice… my 16 yr old wants to get a matching one with me its now about what we want and finding a good tattoist
I allowed my boy to have his 1st one at 14 but only because it was a memorial for his nan who passed when he was 10. He adored her so very much and I knew it was 1 he wouldn’t regret xx
My daughter wanted a memorial tattoo for her cousin who took his own life, i took her on her 16th Birthday. It’s small and beautiful and we have no regrets. I would definitely make sure your partner is on board before doing it though
Legal age is 18 here and I told my daughter that she’d have to wait until then just like I did but anytime she mentioned it I’d always ask what she wanted to get and why. I didn’t tell her that if it was something meaningful enough that I’d make an exception until she decided on one that was.
My daughter is 17 and has 3 her first was at 16 she got butterflies on her hand
The legal age in the UK is 18 so check what the legal age is in your area
We made our daughter wait till she 18. She then proceeded to wait 2 more years to get something
I was 14 when I got my 1st tattoo and i forget I even have it.
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Here it is 18 which I think is smart, what we want at 16 isn’t always what we think is a good idea at 18.
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in most states it is 16 with parents consent, but look into it. If it’s a memorial tattoo let her get it.
My mom let me get one at 15 on the top of my foot. It’s a group of shooting stars. It represented my favorite pastime as a kid now and still to this day. Watching shooting stars with my grandma on her deck. I don’t regret it and my mom didn’t object because it was something meaningful and most likely would never regret. She also let my brother get his last name between his shoulder blades at 15
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I took my son for his first at 16yrs. It was a memorable piece for his dog as well.
I have 5 kids. My son wanted them so bad but I said no and he finally got his first tat in his 20s. My son 23 and my daughter 21 have no tats. My daughter 19 has wanted one for so long and I made her wait until she was 18 and it was the best things because she changed her mind so many times between then and what she decided on was perfect and meaningful. My daughter 16 wants one and Im doing the same with her, making her wait until 18 and I explained why and she was mad but now she comes to me with tat ideas and the meaning behind them for her. Make her wait. I get that it is a meaningful tat but she could grow and mature and want it in a different way or a different place on her body. Things change, feelings change. She is still growing and maturing. Just my opinion though <3
I got my first tattoo at the age of 16. I don’t see anything wrong with it, same goes for piercings