You may have seen the article recently in the Chronicle of Higher Education about
the surge in popularity of body art and the challenges it presents to campus health
centers.
So, we asked the folks in Health Services: are Union students keeping up with trends in
piercings and tattoos?
Well, yes, according to Sandy Mosher, director of health services.
Over the past several years, it seems, more women than men are getting tattoos –
usually small and tasteful things like butterflies and roses – and mostly on their
backs, Mosher says. Meanwhile, men seem to be getting most of the piercings. Tongues have
become especially popular.
“We try to be non-judgmental and we see enough of it that we don't say
much,” Mosher says. “But some of the doctors who are not around the students as
much are amazed by it.”
Mosher acknowledges that the tattoos and piercings can be “great conversation
starters.” And that's important since it allows clinicians to address related
issues such as healing times and infection.
No records are kept, but Mosher, at Union for 19 years, and nurse Pat Little, here for
30, say the popularity of body art is a relatively recent phenomenon. “Thirty years
ago,” says Mosher, “the students' parents would have killed them.”