Tattoo discrimination in Mexico motivates interest in tattoo removal among structurally vulnerable adults

Abstract

Tattoos are less prevalent in Mexico and tattooed persons are frequently stigmatized. We examine the prevalence and correlates of interest in receiving tattoo removal services among 278 tattooed Mexican adults living in Tijuana, Mexico who responded to interviewer-administered surveys, including open-ended questions. Overall, 69% of participants were interested in receiving free tattoo removal services, 31% reported facing employment barriers due to their tattoos, and 43% of respondents regretted or disliked some of their tattoos. Having a voter identification card, reporting moderate/severe depression symptoms and believing that tattoo removal would remove employment barriers were independently associated with interest in tattoo removal. Our findings suggest that there is substantial interest in tattoo removal services. Publicly financed tattoo removal services may help disadvantaged persons gain access to Mexico's labor market and it may positively impact other life domains such as mental well-being and interactions with law enforcement.

Motivos y características del tatuaje corporal en mujeres mexicanas

“…Con respecto a las principales motivaciones para tatuarse, los autores han encontrado que en general, las mujeres, independientemente de su edad, deciden tatuarse por razones relacionadas con la belleza, estética y moda; para mostrar su individualidad (necesidad de unicicidad) y para autoexpresar su identidad (Alter-Muri, 2019;Hill, 2016;Notara et al Ragmanauskaite et al, 2021). Algunos estudios indican que, algunos de los correlatos del tatuaje asociados al comportamiento de riesgo incluyen el consumo de tabaco, alcohol y drogas, (Ojeda et al, 2022;Scatigna et al, 2022). Finalmente, un estudio reciente realizado en México (Ojeda et al, 2022) indicó que muchas mujeres con tatuajes enfrentan barreras laborales, estigma y discriminación, por lo que desean eliminar con láser dichas marcas.…”

“…Algunos estudios indican que, algunos de los correlatos del tatuaje asociados al comportamiento de riesgo incluyen el consumo de tabaco, alcohol y drogas, (Ojeda et al, 2022;Scatigna et al, 2022). Finalmente, un estudio reciente realizado en México (Ojeda et al, 2022) indicó que muchas mujeres con tatuajes enfrentan barreras laborales, estigma y discriminación, por lo que desean eliminar con láser dichas marcas.…”