Other End of the Needle: Continuity and Change among Tattoo Workers

The Other End of the Needle explores the complexity of tattoo work as a social activity, arguing that it is a social world where people must be socialized, manage stratification, create spaces for labor, develop beliefs and values, struggle to retain control over their tools, and contend with changes that affect their labor.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2020
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

The Other End of the Needle delves into the intricate realm of tattooing, revealing that it extends far beyond the mere tattoos individuals adorn themselves with. Sociologist Dave Lane employs qualitative data and a user-friendly writing style to unravel the complexities of tattoo work as a distinct social activity. At its core, Lane argues that tattooing operates within a social world, where individuals must undergo socialization, navigate a hierarchical system, establish environments suitable for labor, cultivate sets of beliefs and values, strive to maintain control over their tools, and adapt to changes that invariably impact their labor.

While previous research has explored the meanings and significance of tattoos, Lane points out that it has primarily focused on the tattoos themselves, disregarding the importance of the tattoo workers themselves. These individuals, referred to as tattooists by Lane, make decisions within the confines of a social world that exerts a profound influence on the outcome of their work—the tattoo.

The primary objective of this book is to assist readers in gaining a deeper understanding of the world of tattoo work as a multifaceted and intricate form of labor. Lane raises thought-provoking questions about the social processes that precede the existence of tattoos, challenging prevailing perspectives and prompting a reevaluation of our understanding of this cultural phenomenon.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978807471