The controversies surrounding permanent body art have affected where people place tattoos and piercings on their bodies. Many students and professionals who get body art adorn themselves in areas that can be covered up by clothing. This allows them the freedom to get a tattoo or piercing yet avoid any issues in school or at the workplace.

Rodney Robinson, an executive at an international consulting company, has a tattoo of an archangel on his upper arm. He believes that tattoos are no longer automatically considered a detriment to a person’s career. “Having a tattoo is viewed differently now,” Robinson stated. “It is more acceptable and not considered outside of the norm.” How ever, Robinson acknowledges that body art can have a negative impact in the workplace if it becomes a distraction to others. For this reason, he chose to place his tattoo on his upper arm, which is typically covered by his shirtsleeve.

Decades ago, the most popular locations for men’s tattoos were the front or back of the forearm. Today, men like Robinson often choose the upper arm or chest for tattoo locations because these areas are easier to cover with clothing. Women often ask that tattoos be placed on their ankles, hips, or lower backs, locations that can be concealed with clothing or are not immediately visible to other people. For example, at age twenty, Debra Knickerbocker got her tattoo, a white-sided angelfish, on her hip. “I specifically got it in an area that would rarely if ever be seen,” Knickerbocker said. “I can even wear bathing suits that don’t show it. I wanted to have the ability to hide if from my grand kids. I also didn’t want my tattoo showing at my wedding.”

Many people who decided to get pierced in places other than the ear also take into consideration potential controversies. As with tattoos, people often choose to get pierced in areas that can be covered up with clothing. According to a survey reported in the November 2001 issue of Clinical Nursing Research, after the ear, the most popular body piercing locations are the tongue, nipple, and navel, all of which can either be covered up or are not immediately visible to others.