Visual Culture, Identity & Representations in the Media
Media representation of tattooed individual tend to be limited to dangerous machismo and “otherness”, outlaws and outcasts.
Here are some examples:
Vern Schillinger in HBO TV series Oz (1997-2003) – Aryan brotherhood crime syndicate
That ’70s Show: Season 3, Episode 22: Eric’s Drunken Tattoo (2001)
The bookish character of Eric get’s a tattoo to prove how masculine and dangerous he is
Psychotic criminal Max in Cape Fear (1991) – classic representation of “other”, machismo and danger
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) represents both outlaw and outcast with her behaviour, her style and her tattoos
Reference
Beeler, Karin E. Tattoos, Desire and Violence: Marks of Resistance in Literature, Film and Television. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2006. Print.
Ruminations in Communications 
Reblogged this on COMN4725 – student blog and commented:
Any recent additions to this list? any counter stereotypes? Do you think people with tattoos are rebellious? – elle