Tat's All Folks: An Analysis of Tattoo Literature

The purpose of this manuscript is to review the existing literature on the subject of tattooing. By focusing on the unit of analysis, this paper demonstrates that little is actually known about the process of tattooing. This review highlights how research on the subject is concentrated on understanding tattoo wearers. Existing literature on tattooing can be summarized into one of four general themes or sets of findings: tattooed individuals, group behavior, art or cultural production, and commoditization of culture. While viewed as a trivial subject, research indicates that tattooing is highly complex and social behavior. I propose that research shift from tattoos as the outcome cultural production to the social processes and conditions under which they are produced. While we know a lot about tattoo wearers, research on the process of tattooing can inform larger sociological debates, including discussions of labor, commodification, art, authenticity, and marginality.