However, for parents who grew up when tattoos were less commonplace, body art on professionals is a newer concept and possibly harder to understand and accept.Īmongst teaching staff, there seems to be little difference in attitudes to visible tattoos between the age groups. Students are used to seeing tattoos on people they respect and admire and may be less likely to make negative judgements about an individual based on their body art. Tattoos are now commonplace, with many celebrities, such as David Beckham, openly sporting extravagant designs. There also may well be a generational factor at play.
Other people may have a more justifiable objection to body art - perhaps the tattoo in question is explicit and not appropriate for young people to see. So why is body art such a contentious issue?įor some, it may simply be a case of snobbery and an assumption that tattoos signify a person of a lower class and culture. In a recent Teacher Tapp survey, 18% of primary school teachers polled admitted to having tattoos but only 4% said they had a tattoo which is visible when they wear normal clothing. Teachers with Tattoos: What’s the Problem?įrom fellow teaching staff and school leaders, to parents and carers of school children, visible tattoos on a teacher can cause significant upset and judgement. So why is a teacher with visible tattoos so offensive to some people? And can teachers have tattoos on display, or are school leaders legally allowed to demand their staff cover up? Today, many people still choose their tattoos for sentimental, symbolic, spiritual or religious reasons. In reality, tattooing has been practised since Neolithic times as a spiritual and religious act.
Can Teachers Have Tattoos? What Does the Law Say?įor years, teachers have refrained from having tattoos or kept them covered during work hours because they are perceived by many to be unprofessional.