Tattoo Therapy

The American auto industry continues to fall by the wayside, the stock market remains as volatile as ever, and the real estate market, well, it’s about on par with Chris Brown’s career. But, there is one industry currently that’s still in the black. In fact, it’s also in the red, green, yellow, and any color you can think of.

It seems in times of financial hardship people like to turn to purchases of a more permanent nature.  

According to a 2006 study by the Pew Research Center some 36 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds have a tattoo. For those 26-to-40 that figure rises to 40 percent.

Those figures may climb as this recession deepens.

Why are people turning to tattoos to cope?

In an interview with Christian Science Monitor, tattoo artist named Phuc Tran said, “No one feels like a tattoo that they get will be foreclosed on or repossessed. I think that our clients feel like tattoos make them feel better, especially when many other things in the economy and news cycle can be bleak.”

So I’m to believe that people who lost their homes, jobs, and are currently ducking hits placed out on them by bill collectors are finding comfort in getting their mama’s name, a picture of Jesus, or some Japanese letters tatted on them?

I guess, but don’t most tattoos hurt? Why add more pain to your life? What are you? Some sort of sadist?

The only recession-themed tattoo I would consider getting is the winning numbers to a lottery ticket that sends my bank account into outer space.

Other than that, getting “peace, love, and good credit” in Arabic permanently plastered on my neck won’t really change my attitude. Or maybe I’m not seeing the bigger picture.

Have you gotten your own recession-friendly tattoo lately?

If so send a pic and story to [email protected]

Michael Arceneaux hails from Houston, lives in Harlem and praises Beyoncé’s name wherever he goes. Follow him on Twitter.