WHAT TATTOOSTELL US ABOUT

THE US ECONOMYREAD THE FULL ARTICLE ON BLOOMBERG VIEW

PETER ORSZAG

At the end of 2014, 40% of householdsincluded someone who had body art inthe form of a tattoo.

At the end of 2014, 40% of householdsincluded someone who had body art inthe form of a tattoo.

Compared to 21% in 1999…

What did this say about the American economy?

Let’s check out some key tattoo stats thatpinpointed the correlation between body art andeconomic standing.

50% of people with only highschool diplomas or less had ahousehold member with a tattoo.

50% of people with only highschool diplomas or less had ahousehold member with a tattoo.

compared to 22% of people whopursued a graduate level degree.

Another study from the Journal ofthe American Academy ofDermatology found that 40% ofpeople without high schooldiplomas had tattoos.

Another study from the Journal ofthe American Academy ofDermatology found that 40% ofpeople without high schooldiplomas had tattoos.

Compared to 14% of people with acollege or graduate degree whohad a tattoo.

From the 2004 study, Additional tattoo factors noted were:

From the 2004 study, Additional tattoo factors noted were:

Age

From the 2004 study, Additional tattoo factors noted were:

Age Gender

From the 2004 study, Additional tattoo factors noted were:

Age Gender Whether the person spent at least 3 days in jail

From the 2004 study, Additional tattoo factors noted were:

Age GenderWhether the person spent at least 3 days in jailWhether the person had military experience

From the 2004 study, Additional tattoo factors noted were:

Age GenderWhether the person spent at least 3 days in jailWhether the person had military experienceWhether the person has a past of recreational drug use

In summary, the study showed people whowere less educated and took part in riskierbehaviors were more likely to have tattoos.

In summary, the study showed people whowere less educated and took part in riskierbehaviors were more likely to have tattoos.

Does having a tattoo affect someone’sbehavior and life overall?

In summary, the study showed people whowere less educated and took part in riskierbehaviors were more likely to have tattoos.

Does having a tattoo affect someone’sbehavior and life overall?

Not necessarily.

Researchers found, lower earnings fortattoo owners was not directly relatedto the body art. Those with tattoosearned less regardless of if they had atattoo or not.

Researchers found, lower earnings fortattoo owners was not directly relatedto the body art. Those with tattoosearned less regardless of if they had atattoo or not.

But...

Researchers found, lower earnings fortattoo owners was not directly relatedto the body art. Those with tattoosearned less regardless of if they had atattoo or not.

But...

Another study found that someonewith a tattoo could have a moredifficult time securing a job oversomeone without a tattoo.

According to a survey done by researchers at CoastalCarolina University, having a tattoo decreased the probabilityof being hired from 88% to 70%.

What does the rise of tattoos suggest?

What does the rise of tattoos suggest?

Here is my guess.

The rise of tattoos reflects a broadertrend of anti-establishmentarianism.Having a tattoo is a permanent symbolof rebellion, signaling that you don’tbuy into the norms established by anout-of-touch elite.

Expect tattoos to become even more popular, as long asmost Americans' sense of opportunity and upwardmobility remains limited.