Tattoo artist banned from career day at his daughter's middle school

[Jenna]

Parents at the school said they don't want a tattoo artist sharing what they call his "alternative lifestyle," with their kids.
He said he practices a legitimate business and has every right to share his experience at his daughter's middle school career day.
After all of the complaints, the school's principal banned him from career day.

Tattoo artist denied daughter's career day visit | ABC57 | South Bend IN News, Weather and Sports | Monday

[Odd]

I'm not a tat fan at all. My Cub Scout leader was, and Mike had some naked ladies doing dances on his ams that are probably still illegal in this state. Hell of a good role model in a hundred ways for we silly man-boys.

Banning it from career day just makes it more interesting.

[Jks9199]

Total bs! As he says -- the guy's got a legit business. He's not offering to tattoo kids in the classroom. These are probably the same sorts of people who'd bitch that someone has guns in their house...

[Ducky]

Saw this on the news the other day. He's done two career days before, for the same school. He tells kids the dangers of getting tattooed in places other than a sterile, licensed shop. Tells kids it's illegal to get them before they're 18. He does not glamorize it.

From Tattoo artist Walter Smith says parents voiced concerns that he's promoting 'alternative lifestyle'

Smith told ABC Action News his message in the classroom is one of discouragement when it comes to getting tattoos or piercing before the age of eighteen.

He also tries to school the students on how to properly get a tattoo or piercing. Smith points to many young kids he meets that have contracted infections after trying to tattoo or pierce themselves.

"Teenagers are going to go out and do what they want and I'd rather educate them to make a wise decision. Do it in the proper way instead of taking a sewing needle and shoving it through your belly button," he explained.

Smith says he also talks to the students about how tattoos and piercings are similar to surgical procedures. Smith says he talks about the importance of sterilization because diseases like Hepatitis and HIV can be spread through unclean needles.

Sounds like kids need to hear about that kind of thing.

[Big Sexy]

So, what do these same parents do when they need assistance and the cop/fireman/EMS who arrive have tattoos? Ask for a different cop/fireman/EMS who isn't promoting an alternate lifestyle?

And yes, BIG has four tattoos and is currently trying to put a sleeve tattoo together.

[lewisipso]

He tells kids the dangers of getting tattooed in places other than a sterile, licensed shop. Tells kids it's illegal to get them before they're 18. He does not glamorize it. Sounds like kids need to hear about that kind of thing.

Sounds like this problem is solved.

[E-man]

Political Correctness is KILLING this country. I wish Michael Savage was still on the air and he knew about this issue

[Ducky]

My daughter told me yesterday she is going to get her first tattoos tomorrow. I object, not because she's getting tattooed, but because of the "what" and "where" of it. She wants to get "Carpe" on one inner wrist, and "Diem" on the other inner wrist. Bad placement, and far from original. Earlier this week she had to borrow gas money from us, and still owes us a good bit of money on top of that, so there's that. But she's going to go to a shop, possibly one of the ones where I've had work done, so at least she will be safe. I'd rather be bitching about the other things instead of finding out she has a fun new blood-born disease.

[Policefan1978]

Political Correctness is KILLING this country. I wish Michael Savage was still on the air and he knew about this issue

E-Man you said a mouthful. Speaking of Michael Savage I looked up his name and found out he went back on air as of Oct 23 2012. I like Michael Savage myself but finding a station that is brave enough to broadcst hisshow is getting harder to do.

[IndianaFuzz]

Is it just me, or does it seem like the number of f-ed up stories coming from my state is on the rise? hehehe