Beauty Within Tattoos by: Amanda C

People all around the world have different tattoos which mean different things. The only time people really don't like what they see, is when the tattoos or piercings are on adolescents and they think it is only because it is a trend; which it isn't. If you are reading this and you do think tattoos and piercings are a trend and not a means of self-expression, then keep on reading because you might change your mind after all. At the same time, if you do think they are a means of self-expression, then you too should keep reading as this might deepen your opinion on self-expressive tattoos and piercings. Most people who have tattoos and piercings have them because it is a way for them to show who they are, not because of a trend. Tattoos and piercings are a way for people to express themselves and not just a trend because it is their choice to do it; no one can force another person to have a tattoo or a piercing because they are meaningful, because they are meaningful to that person and lastly, because it is not in the intent to rebel; they signify their personal identity and shows part of who they are and what they are about.

Firstly, people that we see in streets with tattoos and piercings usually have them because it is meaningful to them. Having tattoos and piercings is something that only you can control. You decide where to put it, why you want it and if you really do want one. If you really want a tattoo or a piercing, do it for you and you only, because it will stay there forever. Except for piercings; you may end up having a scar and some people may also get infections. People who write people's name on their body in tattoo only because they love that person is over the top; but you can't judge someone like that. They do whatever they want with their body, whether you like it or not. In this case, the tattoos people choose to put on themselves are self-expressive and not just a trend because no one in the world, neither your family nor your friends, can control you in having or not having a tattoo. You and you only are the boss of your body.

Secondly, tattoos and piercings help people show who they are and their personality because those tattoos and piercings people decide to put on themselves should be significant and meaningful to them in any way, shape or form. You can't judge a person for what you see because those tattoos and piercings either represent a period in their life they overcame, their personality, or for piercings, something they like and have always wanted. “Tattoos are like stories - they're symbolic of the important moments in your life“(Pamela Anderson). This is a really good example of what someone said that represents the statement that we shouldn't judge someone because of those things because they may represent a moment in their life for example, a loss.

Lastly, the reason why tattoos and piercings are not a trend but a way to express yourself is because people decide to have tattoos not in the intent to rebel or copy others. People decide to have a tattoo because they either like it or because it means something deep to them. The types of things people do to their bodies for example, tattoos and piercings and sometimes permanent, so better not put something just to copy others because you will regret it a lot depending on what you put. They signify their personal identity and shows part of who they are and what they are they about; not to copy others and do something that is not you and you only. The Frederick-Recascino research has proved exactly that... which is that people do not get piercings and tattoos because of peer-pressure but because it is a way for them to reflect an aspect of who they are and their identity.

To conclude, people who have tattoos and piercings have them for self-expression, not for trends and thinking they will look cool after. They are a means of expression because it is their choice to do it and no one can oblige another person to have a tattoo or a piercing, because they are meaningful to that person and finally, because it is not in the intent to rebel. They signify their personal identity and shows part of who they are and what they are about. If you really think about it, not many people would actually put a tattoo on their body that means absolutely nothing just to be cool.

Fashion is Just a Trend By Shayna Q.

  It's been said that; If the world was blind who would you impress? Teenagers shouldn't take fashion so seriously. People see fashion as beauty, industries see it as money and teenagers see it as popularity. Though is it really? Fashion has taken too much place in today's world; it's a problem. Firstly, fashion isn't what defines us, it's a extremely bad for the environment and fashion only makes people spend their money.

  Fashion doesn't define people, it's only a trend that people see as beauty. Yes, we like to buy clothing and dress fancy, but fashion isn't important. What defines us is the choices we make, not the clothing we wear. There are people who don't have shoes on their feet nor the possibility of an education. Look at us who believe that fashion is what defines us. Instead of buying clothing we could be helping someone in the world, but we cannot since we spend all our money on fashion clothing items. Things that have no value. We don't see the beauty of the world because we think that true beauty is in fashion and that's foolish. The universe won't survive forever. Even Albert Einstein believed this when he mentionned his doubts concerning the universe's time frame and the long lasting reign of human stupidity. He was right, we're so shallow in not taking a stand for the people who don't even have what we forget to be greatful for.

  No matter what you think, yes, fashion is bad for the environment. Everyday citizens buy or see something that they'll save up their money for. Honestly, if you're going to buy something, buy something useful and reusable. Do you even  know the impact it has on the world, the environment?Well, we all know the famous saying; Everyday is Earth day, do we respect it? No. Fashion is only consumption and waste, all the clothing who are considered "off season" get thrown out to the trash and end up in the landfill. Who knows how many times they were worn before being considered rubbish? No matter what you think fashion does more bad than good. Tumblr brings some proof to this claim with its multiple mottos insisting people to explore the ruins of volcanoes, to enjoy the sensation of bark on a tree and how money shouldn't be spent on things that have no value in life. 

  Fashion shouldn't be called self expression anymore, it's just a trend. You should have other things to fill your time than buying clothing. Fashion changes so much that it's hard to pin it down into one style. The fact that it changes so much makes you always "fashionably late" or a "fashion-avant garde"; either way you will always be buying more clothing. Even if you have more than enough when your mind sees something it wants, it's not going to stop taunting you to buy it until you do.

  In conclusion, fashion has taken to much place in today's world. People shouldn't take fashion so seriously because it's only a trend. Fashion doesn't define us. It's also bad for the environment and it simply makes us spend our money. Fashion is bright, loud and screams what society wants it to say. You don't have to be bright and loud, you simply have to be who you are.