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Tattoos, Lifestyle, and the Labor Market

Author

Listed:
  • Rik Dillingh
  • Peter Kooreman
  • Jan Potters

Abstract

In this study, we look at the factors determining the decision to get a tattoo and relate this to several outcome measures, such as income, employment status, and health. The analyses are based on unique panel data of a representative sample of Dutch individuals. The tattooed population differs significantly from the non‐tattooed population on a wide range of characteristics. We use fixed effects and instrumental variable analysis to explore the effects of tattoos. Our analyses suggest less favorable outcomes for people with (very visible) tattoos, though especially in the case of the labor market, the relationships are relatively weak.

Suggested Citation

  • Rik Dillingh & Peter Kooreman & Jan Potters, 2020. "Tattoos, Lifestyle, and the Labor Market," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 34(2), pages 191-214, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:labour:v:34:y:2020:i:2:p:191-214
    DOI: 10.1111/labr.12167
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hamermesh, Daniel S & Biddle, Jeff E, 1994. "Beauty and the Labor Market," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(5), pages 1174-1194, December.
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    3. Jennifer L. Doleac & Luke C.D. Stein, 2013. "The Visible Hand: Race and Online Market Outcomes," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 123(11), pages 469-492, November.
    4. Michael T. French & Johanna Catherine Maclean & Philip K. Robins & Bisma Sayed & Leah Shiferaw, 2016. "Tattoos, Employment, and Labor Market Earnings: Is There a Link in the Ink?," Southern Economic Journal, Southern Economic Association, vol. 82(4), pages 1212-1246, April.
    5. Mocan, H Naci & Tekin, Erdal, 2006. "Guns and Juvenile Crime," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 49(2), pages 507-531, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daviti Jibuti, 2018. "Discrimination against Workers with Visible Tattoos: Experimental Evidence from Germany," CERGE-EI Working Papers wp628, The Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute, Prague.
    2. repec:rim:rimwps:18-15 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Rebecca Owens & Steven J. Filoromo & Lauren A. Landgraf & Christopher D. Lynn & Michael R. A. Smetana, 2023. "Deviance as an historical artefact: a scoping review of psychological studies of body modification," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Ruffle, Bradley J. & Wilson, Anne E., 2019. "Tat will tell: Tattoos and time preferences," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 566-585.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General

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