Gangs, Tattooing, and Piercing What You NEED to Know A guide for refugee and immigrant youth and their families regarding the risks of certain behaviors in American culture. Alana Schriver, Omaha Public Schools
Gangs in the U.S. A gang is when a group of people band together for a particular reason. There are different kinds of gangs in the U.S.: Street gangs Prison gangs Ethnic gangs Motorcycle gangs Organized Crime
Gangs in the U.S. are associated with crime. Gangs do not have a positive image in the U.S. If you dress like a gang member, you may not be treated very well by society. (Certain tattoos, sagging pants, bandanas, etc. ) You may not be trusted. You may not get a job. People may assume you are a criminal or do drugs.
Gangs in the U.S. Gangs are dangerous. Violent fighting, shootings, stabbings Drugs buying, selling, using = all illegal Criminal behavior can lead to jail time. Fights can lead to serious injury or death.
Gangs in the Media Television, movies, and the internet try to make joining a gang look glamorous and cool. That is not reality. versus
Tattooing Things to Think About Permanent Expensive, painful laser removal $$$ May not always be the in thing May hinder future employment 50% regret decision
Taboo Tattoos Tattoos are becoming more accepted by society. HOWEVER, tattoos on certain parts of the body are still not well received. Face Neck Hands If you tattoo your face, neck, or hands it can make finding a good job very difficult. These tattoos are often associated with gangs.
Tattooing and Piercing - Serious Health Issues - Allergic reactions Permanent injury Exposure to blood borne diseases
Tattooing - Allergic Reactions - Tattoo dyes especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.
Tattooing and Piercing - Blood Born Diseases - Anytime blood is present disease can be spread. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various blood born diseases Hepatitis Strep A Staph Tetanus HIV
Tattooing & Piercing - HIV/AIDS - No cure at this time, only potential treatment When a person becomes infected with HIV, it damages his or her immune system so that they can no longer fight off common germs and pathogens, which means a person infected with HIV becomes ill from diseases that don't usually affect someone without HIV. It can take HIV many years to damage the immune system enough to make the person vulnerable to these diseases; you can feel and look perfectly healthy during that time.
Hepatitis is a disease that attacks the liver. Tattooing & Piercing - Hepatitis - Chronic Hepatitis is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, including liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or even death. Symptoms include: Fever Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Dark urine Clay-colored bowel movements Joint pain Jaundice (yellow color in the skin or eyes)
Sterile Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; totally clean
Sterile Equipment Needles should be brand new (watch the tattooer/piercer open the plastic) each time. Equipment should be sterilized properly.
Nebraska Law Tattooing and Body Piercing Law in Nebraska: It is illegal to knowingly tattoo or pierce a person under 18 years of age without: Written consent of the person's parent or courtappointed guardian, A parent or guardian's presence at the time the body art is performed, Saving documentation of the consent for 5 years.
Tattoo and Piercing License You may apply for a license if you: Are at least 18 years of age, Have a high school diploma or GED Have completed 4 hours of health training: a. At least 2 hours of Bloodborne Pathogens (disease) training, which includes sanitation, infection control and sterilization. b. A basic first aid class
Penalties for Illegal Body Art Fines Probation Jail or prison
Choices you make now can impact your entire life. Your family struggled and sacrificed to give you better opportunities. Do not waste it!
Think about your future! Your adult life lasts MUCH longer than your teen years. What do you want your life to look like in 5 years? 10 years? When you are 60 years old? or