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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 2 of 4)
5-06-2011 @ 9:03PM
jim said...nice one K
5-06-2011 @ 6:08PM
Elinore said...When my mom passed away in December, in February on her birthday, I got a tattoo. Tattoos were something that we both loved, she actually got me one, a fairy on my shoulder for my 18th birthday. This one for her is a horseshoe on my foot with both her birth date and death date with "Mom" (which I took from one of my Christmas cards) in her handwriting in a banner which separates into three different section around the horseshoe. It's a part of her I will always have right by my side.
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5-06-2011 @ 4:00PM
Eric said...My "MOM" tattoo is one of my favorites. It's pink with a black outline, and the "O" is a Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon. I got it a year ago to honor my mother, who survived breast cancer twice in 2009.
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5-06-2011 @ 4:37PM
MICHELLE said...Screw breast cancer awarness month. Skin cancer is far more common and kills many more than breast cancer. There are many cancers more common and more deadly than breast cancer. BREAST CANCER AWARNESS MONTH IS A JOKE !!!!
5-06-2011 @ 7:10PM
Carolyn said...Good for you Eric! I have survived cancer three times and my son paid tribute to me with a very lovely tat that says "Mom". After all you don't have to worry about erasing that name! Michelle, I am just going to dismiss your slams about breast cancer to ignorance. Pray that you never have to deal with as you probably don't believe in karma either!
5-07-2011 @ 12:50AM
travellady said...Breast cancer is more marketable.
Heart disease kills more women yet it isn't as marketable as our boobs.
5-07-2011 @ 1:26AM
Eric said...Yeah, well, I'm sorry, Michelle. My mother didn't almost die from Skin Cancer... TWICE.
I'll tell her to get right to work on that, though. Maybe she can manage to get that in before the end of the year for you.
5-06-2011 @ 3:31PM
Mitch said...Kim, I'm with you. You're the only one commenting here with any sense. While we find many talented artists, musicians, some of my heroes even with tattoos- they are painful to my eyes and i do not see any attraction whatsoever. I cannot judge what they mean, the person who made the decision, but it is beyond my comprehension because what I see is self-mutilation and defiling God's work. In the simplest terms there is- they're all just- damn- ugly! And yes, they sure do look trashy. Imagine a Renoir, a Michelangelo, a beautiful work of art that was- say, Angelina Jolie- all inked and tatted up. I don't get it. Turns me off- big time. Eat crackers in my bed- but no tattoos for me.
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5-06-2011 @ 9:04PM
xinsex said...another closed minded jerk off. I bet you have a crew cut too.
5-06-2011 @ 11:32PM
Christina said...Mitch you are welcome to your opinion but that doesn't make it right. Just as mine doesn't make my opinion right. All I can say is for myself getting a tattoo isn't about turning any one on. For me it is a release of internal pain and much better than self mutilation. I have a friend who is into that stuff so trust me tattooing is not self mutilation. A tattoo will never turn into accidental suicide which my friend almost did. Just so you know getting a tattoo is between the person getting the tattoo and God not between the person, God and you. Let God take care of his job he has been doing it for ever and is much more qualified than you or I will ever be.
5-07-2011 @ 12:32AM
Joan said...So you'd have sex with Angelina Jolie outside of marriage (I assume that's what the cracker comment was about) but are disgusted by her tattoos? Can you say HYPOCRITE?
5-06-2011 @ 3:39PM
MARK said...TATTOOS ARE A FADING FAD. THATS WHY REMOVING TATTOOS HAS BECOME A HUGE BUSINESS. AFTER HAVING TO LOOK AT THE SAME SILLY CARTOON PICTURES ON YOU BODY EVERY SINGLE DAY PEOPLE REALIZE HOW IMMATURE IT WAS TO GET THEM. THEY ARE ONLY POPULAR AMONGST PEOPLE WITH SIMPLE MINDS SUCH AS PRISONERS AND MEXICAN GANG MEMBERS.
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5-06-2011 @ 4:15PM
Chele said...first off if my son came home with a tattoo l would take him to a dr and get it off ===check the Bible no markings on a unclean body its not trash its ungodly to have a tattoo l probably open up a can of worms on this topic BUT this is true why would a kid have a tatt in the first place they won't get their dream job if they have that not unless they end up in a tattoo salon or being a hair dresser most jobs you have to cover up now
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5-06-2011 @ 4:37PM
Heather said...Then you better not cut your hair, wear make-up, wear flashy clothes, pierce your ears, or wear jewelry (that one depends on which part of the Bible you happen to be reading). Oh, and for one week every month you are considered unclean so you can't leave your home.
5-06-2011 @ 4:48PM
kenny said...Don't be hating on Kim folks,you don't know her age or up-bringings . I happen to also agree with her , but alas i did not get my wish . My daughter ended up pregnant in her late teens before marriage . It took awhile to get over it but I did..so what . I'm an old fart and I don't believe that women should be wearing tattoo's, just my opinion .When I was young Tat's weren't popular so you had to go out of your way to get one . I went with friends who were getting tat's lookad at them,liked a few but decided they look cool now but maybe not later in life . To this day i have none .
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5-07-2011 @ 12:33AM
Joan said...When I grew up gaping ear plus weren't in fashion and they seem ridiculous and creepy to me but Im not going to judge someone for their body art choices. Kim's age and upbringing have no bearing on her being a self righteous,close minded ass.
5-06-2011 @ 5:17PM
ThinkBeach said...My son has a beautifully designed tattoo with the words, "Momma's Boy" incorporated. He also has a tribute tattoo to his cousin, now passed away. He is an intelligent, kind and loving gentleman. He makes me proud to be his mother each and every day.
If you don't like tattoos, don't get one. If they disgust you so much, don't look. Raise your children as you like.
I don't see the need to attack someone else's character simply because they don't conform to another person's standards. Seriously, there are too many haters on the planet, as it is.
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5-06-2011 @ 5:18PM
*Patchy* said...I have a tattoo for my mom. It says "mom" in the shape of a heart. I got it on my inner right elbow as a tribute to her because her right elbow was shattered in a car accident with a drunk driver. I love it and will always love it because it reminds me daily of what a strong person she is :o)
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5-06-2011 @ 6:06PM
Crystal said...The art of tattooing is thousands of yrs old and means many things to many people. Because you dont like it or cant understand why someone would get something like doesnt change the vaule of that person I honestly think you should let people be, what they choose to do is on them not you so back off. Im pretty sure that God would rather deal with some tattoos then someone who stood on there soap box looking down at others pointing there finger.... all in his name....
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5-06-2011 @ 6:12PM
rose said...I have two tattoos and working on getting a third. Lets see my first tattoo is of a purple rose. Wow what a terrible tattoo that is. And my second is of a primrose with the words "i cant live without you", yep thats just horrific and yes the third tattoo i am getting is of a peony flower in memory of my great grandmother. It was her favorite flower. So if my tattoos are making me trashy then i am proud. Oh yeah, i dont smoke, i dont drink and i dont do drugs. And guess what my great grandmother taught me right from wrong. And to never judge a person.
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