At a recent editorial meeting for InSite magazine, the topic of piercings and tattoos came up. We discussed the trends in youth ministry and youth culture with regard to these stylistic choices, and wondered where the majority of CCCA members have drawn lines, if any, regarding physical appearance in general, and piercings and tattoos specifically.
We went to a trusted source, Duffy Robbins, associate professor of youth ministry at Eastern University, to get his take on the issue and start the conversation on this blog. Following is an excerpt from Duffy that I hope you’ll find as balanced, clear-headed and enlightening as I did.
Question: When hiring summer staff for a camp, would you rule out someone based on their external appearance (i.e., tattoos, piercings, choice of clothing, hairstyle, etc.)? Why or why not? What do camps need to consider about today’s youth culture when making these types of decisions?
Answer from Duffy Robbins:
Suffice it to say that a question like this involves three perspectives, and depending on which perspective you use, you come up with a different take on the question.
The perspective of 1) the campers: Most of them would say, “no big deal,” and in fact, it might allow a counselor to better relate to certain kids than would a counselor who was less inclined to decorate themselves with tattoos, piercings and other assorted body armor. That’s important to note because we want to relate to those kids. 2) The counselor, who should not be judged by their appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), but by their character and commitment. After all, these are not (at least based on explicit biblical teaching) moral issues we’re talking about. 3) The parent (paying consumer who sends the child to camp) who isn’t crazy about this person who is wearing enough metal to be magnetic.
For group No. 1, I’d want to give careful thought. I want to reach those kids, so I would probably want to stretch as far as I can on this question. For No. 2, I would say, “Yes, you have the right to look any way you want to look, but rightly or wrongly, other people (i.e., parents, employers) have the right to draw conclusions about you based on your appearance, and that also must be taken seriously.
If the counselor were righteously indignant about this surrender of his “rights,” I would first ask him if this really is the hill he wants to die on. Is this really the fight you want to fight? And secondly, I would refer him to Paul’s insistence that Timothy be circumcised before doing ministry among the Jews (Acts 16:3), which to my mind, sort of puts a nose ring removal in perspective.
For group No. 3, I can’t bend to the taste of every parent, but nor will I have a camp if I don’t take their concerns seriously. Parents know that camp counselors are role models and what they do/look like/talk like will have an impact on their kids, and they have the right to care about what those influences are. I might ask the parent this question though: “What if I told you that this counselor helps us connect with kids that no one else seems to connect with? Would you still think the nose ring/tattoo is so important that either it or the counselor should be removed?”
In short, I can’t say a simple “yes” or “no.” It would depend on the nature of body art, heart of kid, age of campers, reasonableness of parental complaint (i.e., what do you do about a parent who doesn’t want their child’s counselor to be black, Pentecostal, Democrat, etc?) and how the various parties responded to the issues I’ve raised above. I don’t want to lose a good counselor, but a good counselor won’t do me much good if I don’t have tuition-paying parents, and what’s the good of having kids’ tuition paid if we’re not able to minister to them in what we feel is the most effective way? So I can’t say it’s a slam dunk answer one way or the other. Each incident would have to be weighed differently.
What do you think? Where has your camp or conference drawn the line—for staff/counselors and for guests? Have Duffy’s thoughts caused you to think differently? What policy/practice would you change right now regarding a personal appearance clause?
Knowing that parents are entrusting their most prized possession to a person they have never met and know nothing about. It gives comfort to a parent to see their junior or teens perspective counselor looking professional. I believe Duffy is right, that most kids don’t mind and can let the tattoo’s not hinder a developing relationship. The piercing are another story as they draw more attention to the individual and are more literally in your face.
I know as I worked my way through college I worked for IBM. They had a dress policy that every male wore a tie and each female wore a skirt or professional looking slacks. I thought it a little strange at the time to put so much emphasis on appearance. I know understand they were trying to create an image.
Each camp needs to decide what image and brand they want to project.
great blog, great comments.
i always wonder how to balance Paul’s “if it offends my brother” scriptures with not bending-over-backwards for everyone to a point that you are people-pleasing and/or constantly trying to measure-up, which is a seemingly unhealthy place to be.
for example, i have been refused opportunities to lead worship and serve in camp/church environments (paid or volunteer) due to a beard of substantial length, while there were clean-shaven team members with tattoos who stood on stage smelling like a rose.
where do we draw the line?
The camp I work at has a policy much like what Mary Lou described above– tattoos must be covered, and ears are the only visible piercings allowed. We are also a Baptist camp that has been around for more than 50 years… that could have something to do with it.
Intersting comments, all of you. And Kyle, I appreciate your personal story. As the old song says, “Times, they are a-changing.”
Last summer was my first year in directing a Summer Day Camp. I currently have tattoos from my should to my elbow on both arms. I was concerned and attempted to cover them up initialy being the director of a children’s camp in fear of the response I would get from campers and parents. As I developed relationships with parents and campers, the longer sleeves turned into short sleeves. Not only did I not hear anything negative, but I heard postive remarks from the symbols that my tattoos represent. My tattoos represent different characteristics of God and was able to witness my faith to several parents, campers, and volunteers throughout the summer. I think when it comes to tattoo’s, it really depends on the nature of the tattoo. I know I am new to camp seen as a director but I have not seen any problems at this point.
Matt – I wondered that too.
Or maybe the marketing ‘Guy’ who talks about deer’s having guns.
Well said Duffy. (Just enough in the dropper for this birdie) 🙂
Is that Greg Fields with a shaved head and some new tats?
I appreciated Duffy’s comments! We have considered these issues especially in recent years. Our current policy says “Tattoos are to be covered as much as possible and visible body piercings must be limited to the ears for both men and women.” It’s not been a huge problem and I have appreciated our staff efforts at complying. They know the policy when they are hired.
I say YES… and No.
As a successful Christian Camp director with 15 years of experience plus visible tattoos and earrings, I never felt that who I was (or how I looked) impeded my ability to relate to campers or parents.
That said, I strongly believe that a clean uniform for any official function is essential. For me that was always shorts/pants in the colour of the year, with no logos and a uniform shirt with a collar.
I appreciate Duffy’s answer and it is very timely as we are in the midst of determining who we will hire for summer staff. There are a few staff members from last summer that I have been wondering about. One young lady who worked maintenance I found out has cut herself on several occasions in the past. This past fall she got another tattoo. She is a sweet girl and loves working at camp. I was wondering though if she is the best role model for the campers.