In a curious turn of events, a mother from New York found herself in hot water after tattooing her two sons, aged 12 and 13. Police intervened following allegations of mistreatment of the boys. The 34-year-old, whom we’ll call Sarah, used a tattoo gun to etch the phrase “Ride or Die” on her 12-year-old’s hand and a lightning bolt on her 13-year-old’s hand.
While Sarah may have thought she was expressing her love, she is not a licensed tattoo artist, making her actions against the law. According to NY State Penal Law Section 260.21, it is illegal to tattoo minors under 18, even with parental consent. Consequently, she was charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the second degree and was subsequently released.
The Ethical Dilemma
As parents, we constantly navigate a myriad of decisions for our children, but permanently altering their bodies before they are old enough to consent raises significant ethical questions. Can a 12 or 13-year-old genuinely give informed consent for something as lasting as a tattoo, especially when it involves their mother?
Consider the implications of these tattoos. Sure, the 13-year-old might be a lifelong Harry Potter fan and embrace the lightning bolt, but “Ride or Die”? That’s a heavy phrase for a pre-teen. If the intent was to showcase a mother’s devotion, why not opt for a tattoo on herself instead?
Alternatives to Permanent Tattoos
Temporary tattoos exist for this very reason—they’re fun and easily removable. Making the choice to tattoo your child, especially with such permanent phrases, is not only questionable parenting but also a decision that lacks foresight.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, while parents frequently make choices on behalf of their children, tattooing them at such a young age crosses a line. The permanence of such actions should be left to the individuals themselves when they are old enough to decide.