title: Body art education: the earlier, the better.
abstract: Using the major format identified for successful prevention and intervention work, five "W" questions: what, why, whom, where, and who, plus one: how, this article first summarizes the current body art literature. Then, educational strategies specifically regarding the topic of tattoos and body piercing are presented for school nurses. These strategies can be used to create applicable, realistic information for young students before they are faced with decisions related to body art. The school nurse might be the first and only credible source of information the students receive related to body art in an education/health environment. Curriculum emphasis is on the decision making leading up to the action, and the major purposes, rather than on the markings or jewelry associated with procurement. Reducing decisional conflict while promoting positive development in the areas of empowerment, self-esteem, and maturing can help achieve stronger informed decision making.
authors.affiliation: 1Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Marble Falls, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Myrna L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tustin
authors.forename: Donna C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Jerome R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Alden E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012573:School Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013653:Tattooing / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: adolescence education; body piercing; early education; elementary; middle school; tattoos