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I Love Mom Tattoos: Born in WWII and Going Strong
Filed under: Holidays, Teen Culture
Credit: Getty Images
If your rebellious teen has ever insisted that a cool new tattoo or nose ring is essential to his or her individuality, you've probably crafted some sort of "not while you're living under my roof" response. So, naturally, when your kid comes home from college with some foreign symbol inked on her arm, you're probably less than pleased.
But, what if the classic "I Love Mom" tattoo was the ink of choice?
The iconic red heart "MOM" tattoo dates back to World War II, when U.S. Navy sailors began to collect tattoos to document their achievements and display patriotism, Lifeslittlemysteries.com reports.
Norman Keith Collins, who gained the name "Sailor Jerry," designed many recognizable tattoos including the classic "I Love Mom" ink. The tattoo became trendy among homesick sailors who wanted a constant reminder of Mom. Cute, right?
"The tattoo is definitely more popular this time of year," David Beadle, a tattoo artist in Texas tells Life's Little Mysteries. "Everyone gets them, from ages 18 to 80."
So, what if your child surprised you this Mother's Day, showing you a little affection displayed on his or her arm? Is "I love Mom" just as cute inked on skin as it is in a card?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 4)
5-06-2011 @ 12:33PM
Kim said...As a mother of three daughters I am so proud of myself because none of them have tattoos, smoke cigarettes, drink to excess, or got pregnant before they got married. They all knew that if they got a tattoo they would no longer be welcome in our house. I didn't raise trash.
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5-06-2011 @ 2:24PM
Lnovak said...WOW!!!!! I must say that I am amazed! There are still people in this world with their head stuck up their rear! Just because someone has a tattoo does not mean that they are trash, there are cultures that see a tattoo as an honor.
5-06-2011 @ 2:29PM
popbenz said...Wow what a mother you are. You would not allow your own flesh & blood in the home they were raised in because they chose to express themselves by getting a tattoo. Yet, I bet you don't think twice about... dying your hair, getting fake nails, having your ears pierced, or even a spray tan. What a joke you are! There is no differenence in these things. They are all about expression. Narrow minded people like you are the true trash of this world!
5-06-2011 @ 3:11PM
Heather said...The only difference between tattooed people and non tattooed people is that tattooed people don't care if you are not tattooed.
I guess we just have more important things to think about. Like, raising our children without threat of being thrown out if they dare think for themselves or show individuality.
Oh, and before you label people with tattoos as "trash", perhaps you should do some research. I'm sure the likes of Winston Churchill, his mother Jenny, Thomas Edison, and Queen Victoria (just to name a few) could hardly be considered trash. Do yourself a favor and read. The site VanishingTattoo might be an eye opened for you.
5-06-2011 @ 3:24PM
PAULA said...KIM YOU DONT NO CRAP BOTH MY MOTHER AND FATHER DIEDIN THE LAST FEW YEARS OF CANCER AND HEART PROBLEMS I HAVE A TATTOO FOR BOTH AND I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM SO KEEP YOUR OPION TO YOUR SELF
5-06-2011 @ 3:59PM
Eric said...Oh, God. That is such a sad thing to hear. Please, know that I and my tattooed pastor (who also plays Dungeons and Dragons) will be praying for you, Kim. Hopefully, God (or any divinity you choose to worship) will see a way to turn your heart towards goodness and away from the evils of hate and judgemental opinions.
5-06-2011 @ 3:41PM
kkilliam31222 said...I remember Http://www.tatooinfoguide.com my dad had one of those "I love you mom" tatoos.
5-07-2011 @ 9:58PM
Are you serious? said...Having a tattoo does not make a person trash. I have tattoo's; I don't drink, I don't do drugs, all of my kids have the same dad, I go to church, and I teach my children manners and to be grateful to those who help them along the way, and most of all not to judge others merely by how they look. Being offended by a tattoo is as stupid as being offended by a skin color, hair color, eye color, religious preference or sexual orientation.
I feel sorry for your kids, they will never be able to see the world beyond the small narrow point of view you allow them to have.
5-06-2011 @ 4:46PM
Ashley said...What a judgmental person, you are, Kim. Just because someone has tattoos doesn't mean they're trash. My brother has a few tattoos, and he's a great guy. He cares about people other than himself. It's no wonder the world is in such bad shape. People like you will do whatever it takes to stifle creativity and imagination. Children need both to thrive, and you hate that. You want everyone to be narrow-minded like you. Waiting until after you're married to have children doesn't mean you have morals. There are plenty of morally bankrupt married parents who let their kids do whatever they want without thought of consequences. Many unmarried parents have wonderful kids and taught them the difference between right and wrong, which is what morality is all about. Marriage doesn't make you a good parent. Nor does it make you morally superior to anyone. Take your judgmental mind, and go somewhere else.
5-06-2011 @ 8:41PM
Dee said...TRASH?!?!?!? Judge not lest ye be judged!!! If one of your children came home with ART to hang on your wall, would you disown them? It's body art, plain and simple. You would disown your own child over that?!?!?!? What a mom...wow...whether marked with ink, pierced, or gay...that is still the same person you gave birth to, loved through thick and thin, and SUPPOSEDLY give UNCONDITIONAL love to. They do not BELONG to you alone...they are on loan to you from GOD. Cherish them...no matter what...My mother has four children...I am the only girl. Two of us have tattoos and two do not...she LOVES ALL of us unconditionally. I am now disabled, but have worked as a Senior Technical Specialist for a major security company, been a Private Investigator, been to college and had a 3.5 GPA in Criminal Justice, worked for mentally and physically challenged individuals and I myself have 15 tattoos and have three more in the works. You wouldn't know I had one unless I wanted you to know. Don't judge just because you don't like tattoos or piercings. TRASH...LMAO
5-06-2011 @ 9:00PM
jim said...kim, get a life. I have 8 tattoos and I guarantee you if you knew me you wouldn't call me trash. I'm funny and caring and I have 4 grandchildren and my 2 boys have tattoos and they are great kids and fathers. Try getting out of the 50's. Maybe your parents raised you to be so closed minded. you should have cut the apron strings and enjoyed your life. You sound pretty boring to me
5-06-2011 @ 9:08PM
Barry S said...Regardless of what some of these people say, in their defense of getting a tattoo(s), they are without a doubt, TRASHY. The people who get them are not trash because they got a tattoo but the tattoo(s) sure are trashy. I cannot believe that women get these things on parts of their bodies that show. It's just so unattractive & it does make them look cheap. As for your other comments on your children not smoking, drinking, getting pregnant, etc. good for you but even better for them. Don't pay any attention to some of these comments because these people are just trying to justify their bad taste & ignorance which of course is their right.
5-06-2011 @ 9:20PM
maryellen said...Wow...I feel sorry for your daughters to have such an ignorant mother. . My son has a tattoo in honor of his grandfather who passed away. My son is also not trash...all through elementary, middle and high school was honors. He graduated high school with honors. He also went to a four year college, has a full time job and is a semi-professional football player. So, please take your head out your butt, open your eyes and stop judging people you know nothing about....
5-06-2011 @ 11:30PM
Christina said...Kim while it is commendable that your three daughters do not drink or do drugs or have children without being married Your comment about people with tattoos being trashy is completely wrong. You can not judge people by the clothes they wear or the tattoo's they have but only for the actions they take.I do not drink or do any kind of drugs or sleep around. But I may be biased because I have six tattoos all for those I've lost that I loved. Maybe you should get to know someone before you jump to conclusions about what they are like. Maybe some are like myself and get a tattoo as a way of turning the pain on the inside into something beautiful on the outside. Try walking a mile in some one elses shoes. It just might open your eyes to world you never knew existed. by the way not that it matters but all of my tatts are covered unless I chose to show them. who says your daughters may not be the same way. But thank you for posting it reminds me to call my mom again tonight and thank her for being so open and allowing me to share my entire life with her not just the things that make her comfortable but every aspect of it.
5-07-2011 @ 3:15PM
WDM said...One thing I've been fortunate enough to notice regarding tattoos on our younger generation is the choice to get something religious inked onto their bodies. Whether it be a cross, rosary, or scripture verse. Many of these young people have never even been inside a church, but I view it as a wonderful expression of their faith...and to have faith is a beautiful thing.
5-07-2011 @ 12:32AM
Joan said...Tattoos do not make trash,ignorance makes trash.....you are a fine example Kim. I have 3 wonderful sons with my husband of 20 years AND 37 tattoos including a tribute to my mother. You are a narrow minded twit and I'll bet my bottom dollar if one of your daughters doesn't have a tattoo or piercing,one of your grandchildren will.Will you disown them as well???
5-07-2011 @ 1:46AM
mariereddblog said...It pisses me off that people think like this. I was 18 when I got my first tat and this woman at my job had the same kind of thinking. I am now 28 I have a total of five tats, three are tributes to my mom, dad and granny all who have passed. It is very narrowed minded to believe that tats makes for trashy people. I for one and not trash, wasnt before the tats and damn sure not after. I am married to the a guy I have known my entire life. I have a wonderful family, a great job, went and completed high school. I am go to Church every Sunday. It is not up to you to judge someone, based on what they look like on the outside. You dont know why someone would get a tat. Also, what makes you think your kids don't have at least one tat, just because you haven't seen it.
5-07-2011 @ 8:29AM
gina said...i never evern comment on these pages but after this post i had to.. the truth is that god only knows what your kids did that you dont know about ..... im thinking ha ha imagine that do have them and you just couldnt see them ?
5-07-2011 @ 5:25PM
dbp7 said...If there were mor parents like you we would have far less problems in this country now. God Bless.
5-06-2011 @ 2:29PM
k said...maybe u didn't raise "trash", but ur mother did!
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