A 10-year-old girl from out of state has sparked controversy after receiving a tattoo of the American flag at a shop in Yuma, Arizona, where it is legal for minors to get tattoos with parental consent.
The girl initially visited Black Onyx Empire Tattoo last year at age nine, requesting a portrait of Donald Trump on her neck. The shop owner, who goes by Sosa, said he convinced her to opt for an American flag tattoo on her arm instead. He told her to reconsider the Trump tattoo and return in a year if she still wanted it.
Now 10, the girl recently returned to have the flag tattoo touched up and decided against the Trump portrait.
The incident has ignited debates online, with many criticizing the parents and the tattoo shop for allowing such a young child to get inked. Although legal in Arizona with parental consent, critics argue that nine or 10 years old is far too young for a permanent tattoo.
Sosa, the shop owner, expressed discomfort with tattooing someone so young, despite it being within the law.
“There should be laws and regulations limiting the ages for these procedures,” he said. “A lot of people think it’s wrong, and I agree.”
He also revealed that he tried to deter the family by quoting an inflated price, but they were willing to pay.
The girl’s family, reportedly refugees from Turkey, brought her from out of state specifically to get the tattoo.
The case has reignited discussions about tattoo regulations, particularly concerning age restrictions. While Arizona law permits tattooing minors with parental consent, critics argue that such decisions should wait until individuals are older and more mature.
