Student Name: Jewel Smith

School: Immaculate Conception Catholic School

Topic: The Influence of the Tattoo Culture on Teenagers in the Caribbean
Centre Name: St. Kitts Private
School Code: 130101
Student Registration Number: 1300040405
Territory: St. Kitts
Name of Teacher: Mrs. Sandra Morton
Year of Examination: 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pages

Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………………………… 3

Plan of
Investigation..........................................................................................................4

Individual Artefacts

Poem………………………………………………………………………………….……….…5

Article…………………………………………………………………………………….……....6

Picture………………………………………………………………….………………………..8

Reflective Pieces

Entry 1……………………………………………………………………………………………9

Entry 2…………………………………………………………………………………………..10

Entry 3…………………………………………………………………………………….…….11

Group Pieces

Poem………………………………………………………………………………….……………

Song………………………………………………………………………………………….…….

Group
Report………………………………………………………………………………………

Oral Plan.............................................................................................................................

Overview of the Oral Presentation......................................................................................

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, I would like to thank God for giving me the patience, strength and
resources needed to complete this SCHOOL-BASED ASSESMENT. I
would also like to thank my teacher and group members for helping me
meet the necessary expectations for the SBA. Finally, I would like to thank
my friends and family for their moral support.

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 Plan of Investigation

My English School Based Assessment focused on the topic, “The Influence

of the Tattoo Culture on Teenagers in the Caribbean”, which was derived
from my group’s overarching theme: Tattoo Culture and the Meaning in the
Caribbean. My interest in this topic is to find out how tattoos can affect the
lives of teenagers, whether in a positive light or a negative form. To
complete my portfolio, I will collect and analyze information from the
internet, through blogs, poems, stories and pictures. At the end of the SBA,
I hope this process will improve my understanding of research, language
and the techniques which can be used for a range of communicative and
reflective purposes. Finally, this research should broaden my
understanding of the influence of the tattoo culture on teenagers in the
Caribbean.

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 Individual Artefacts

Artefact 1
Poem

Tattoo on my Skin

Tattoo's on the skin tell a story they hide a lot of sin.

They tell of personal pain and personal truth.
A person's journey may told by the tattoo's on their skin.
Triumphs, truths, lies and love are tattoo's on skin.
Even though the tattoo isn't visible doesn't mean it isn't there.
Life is a like a tattoo it comes in many forms and shapes just like
people.
The colors vivid as blood and ink mix together in a dance intertwined,
the script and symbols captured.
All of us are marked, we are unique, we burn with life that is our own
personal tattoo.
Inked onto flesh is special meaning frozen in time now there for life.
Unfolding into all I am and will be the ink that is there tattooed on my
skin, Is there for the world to see.

Kelly O’Hara

Source: https://hellopoetry.com/poem/734340/tattoo-on-my-skin/

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 Individual Artefacts

Artefact 2
Article

“Individuation and Identity Formation’’

One possible explanation for a teenager’s decision to get tattoos is

explained by the psychological terms ‘individuation’ and ‘identity formation’.
This was also referred to by psychologist Erik Erikson as ‘identity versus
role confusion’.

Whatever you call it, this is a stage during a teenager’s development where
they will likely begin struggling with their identity and with deciding on who
they want to be. This is the point in the teenager’s life where they will first
start to remove themselves from their parent’s shadows and start making
choices about the adult they want to grow into. As a result, they will often
begin to ‘try out’ lots of different roles almost as if trying on hats in a clothes
shop.

It’s for this reason that teenagers will often change social groups, develop
new hobbies and radically alter their appearance. In this context, getting a
tattoo could just be another example of your teenager ‘trying out’ a certain
appearance.

This is also one of the big reasons that teenagers will try to rebel against
their parents at this age. In order to become their own people,
teenagers need to break away from their parents. Getting tattoos is one
way that they can do this and make a decision for themselves that their
parents likely wouldn’t have made for them.

Conclusion
In conclusion then, understanding the motivations that teenagers might
have for getting tattoos means remembering the myriad different physical
and mental changes that they are undergoing, their need to fit in and their

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pressure to find an ‘identity’. Knowing which of these reasons may have
influenced them most in their decision can be helpful in guiding the correct
response and in facilitating conversation with said teenager.

Psychological Reasons That Teenagers Get Tattoos | HealthGuidance.org

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 Individual Artefacts

Artefact 3
Picture

The Influence of the Tattoo culture on teenagers in the Caribbean

Source: Tattoo Designs - Incredibly Cute Tattoo Designs Are For Every
Teenager (youngisthan.in)

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 Reflection 1

As I began my research into the topic, I was interested in learning if the

influence of the tattoo culture on teenagers had more of a positive or
negative impact. In collecting data from various sources, I found that I was
developing more of a stance that there is a positive impact on the matter as
teenagers were seeking ‘individuation’ and ‘identity formation’.

My first artefact was a poem by written by Kelly O’Hara, “Tattoo on my

Skin”. I choose this poem as the lines describe a deep connection between
subject and intent. It shows the true meaning of influence on teenagers and
how our culture of storytelling can be used in different forms of self-
expression.

Similarly, the article chosen for the second artefact “Individuation and
Identity Formation’’, reveals the changes teenagers go through whether its
mental or physical that sometimes leads to the decisions made by
teenagers.

The final piece of artefact which I processed in relation to my topic was a

picture of a tattoo with the popular phase, “Forever Young”. This picture
adds volume to expression by way of tattoo. It shows me that anyone can
be hopeful by celebrating the virtues of youth, while knowing that ageing is
understood.

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 Reflection 2

Language is a tool which can be used to inform or to give voice to human

experiences. In data presented for two pieces (poem and article) in this
portfolio, the writers used language effectively to achieve these purposes.
In the first artifact, the writer for the poem uses the voice of the persona to
highlight the emotional traits of tattoo seekers in the first stanza and ends
with a vivid description on stance.

The second artifact explored a phycological view on the tattoo culture and
its influence on teenagers. This is effective because the language
technique is research, and it was done by a psychologist which proves
science-based facts rather than an opinion. The writer does not attempt to
cloud the reader’s interpretation of the issue.

The last artefact is a photo depicting a popular phrase ‘Forever Young’,

which is popular in nature and personal to many tattoo enthusiasts. The
language technique that was used in the picture is figurative. This is very
effective because it emphasizes on the creative flourish that convey a
particular message.

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 Reflection 3

The topic “The Influence of the Tattoo Culture on Teenagers in the

Caribbean” which was selected for this school-based assessment, has
helped me become a better person. I can share my knowledge and help
educate people who are misinformed about the teenager tattoo culture.
They will gain knowledge that will give them a positive view on this matter.

I will help them realize that it is a stage in teenagers lives where they are
struggling to find their identity. This often take the form of trying out
different things in life to help them grow into adulthood with ‘individuation’
and ‘identity formation’.

Not only did this SBA research helped me to gain confidence in myself,
especially with the oral presentation, but it also exposed me to different
words and their meanings. This research added to my knowledge and
introduced me to unknown information which can now be shared to people
around me.

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 Group Report

Group Members

Chetroy Walters
Destiny
Jewel Smith

Group 2 committed of 3 persons, there were 2 females and 1 male. The

group meets during one of the English A double sessions to discuss the
School-Based Assessment. Challenges were encountered with sourcing
the information, absent members and nomination for a leader for the group.
The group chose a female leader because they are most reliable in
attendance at classes, and they have leadership and management
qualities.

The group collected twelve reflective pieces, poems, articles and songs.
The group selected the best group pieces to represent the topic on ‘’ The
Tattoo culture and meaning in the Caribbean. Members of the group
thought that three artefacts represented ‘’The Tattoo culture and meaning
in the Caribbean’’ some members of the group faced issues with time
management, sticking to the guidelines and illness.

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 Oral Presentation

Good morning to you all, my name is Jewel Smith, and my oral

presentation will be about WHY DO PEOPLE GET TATTOO’S?

What causes people to get tattoos? Who doesn’t have a tattoo or know
someone who does in modern society?

Humans have marked their bodies with tattoos for thousands of years.
These permanent designs that are sometimes plain, sometimes elaborate
or sometimes personal, have served as good luck charms, status symbols,
declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs and adornment.

Tattoos aren’t there just to look ‘cool’ and ‘different’ they have special
meaning, and they are permanent. To answer some of your questions
about why a person would decide to get something permanently imprinted
on their skin are of the following:

Firstly, there is the reason of a loved one, almost like a tribute but in this
instance the tattoo is of someone who is no longer with you, maybe they have passed
on, or simply someone you wish to honor for a specific reason. A tattoo will help
keep the memory of your loved one alive.

Then there are the religious tattoos, many people get this tattoo as a sign of devotion
to their beliefs. You may find tattoo designs like a cross, a picture of Jesus,
Mother Mary, a verse from the bible and other symbols to put the supreme
worth of God on display.

Finally ‘’ just for fun’’ and self-expression, some people get tattoos just
because they can and want to try out something new, because if not now
when right? We only live once. Tattoos remind people of their roots, their
careers or family.

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As for self-expression tattoos may be seen as “reckless, and impulsive”
however, most often the
planning behind getting a tattoo, figuring out the design, putting funds
together and finding the right artist requires a heap of commitment,
motivation, and open-mindedness.

Most tattoos have meaning for the person; however, the depth of the
meaning is subjective. Self-expression is a common underlying motivation
for getting a tattoo. There are many ways in which people express
themselves, whether it is through music, clothing, food and
now tattoos! Tattoos offer an imprinted form of self-expression and is a
permanent commitment to allowing aspects of yourself to be seen.

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 Plan of Oral Representation

Topic: The Tattoo Culture and the Meaning in the Caribbean

Subtopic: The influence of the Tattoo Culture in the Caribbean

Genre: Poetry

Source: Original Piece

Language: Standard English

Reason for selecting genre: I like poetry and I believe that it will allow me to
express myself and deliver my message effectively.

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 Overview of Oral Representation

The topic of my school-based assessment is “The Influence of the Tattoo

Culture on Teenagers in the Caribbean’’. I presented my creative piece in
the form of an article. Two sources that inspired me to write my creative
piece are ‘’Psychological Reasons why Teenagers get Tattoos”, an article
written by Keith Hillman and another article, “Psychology of Teenagers -
The Tattoo and Piercing Generation”, by Gracie Opulanza.

The language in my article was formal as I spoke in third person throughout

the article. The tone of the article is positive and displays the persona’s
positivity despite the situation. The article talks about the differences
between teenagers and others. I communicated a light positive tone for
people who are influenced to get tattoos.

Having written this article I hope to reach the mind of this audience and
touch them in a special way. This article is intended to shed light on the
way persons, especially teenagers with the influence of getting a tattoo,
and hopefully spread awareness of the way that these teenagers are
psychologically affected.

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