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Tattoos and career discrimination in a conservative culture: the case of Jordan

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Abstract

Body modifications such as tattoos have been a diabolical topic throughout the world, especially in the business world, and how accepting a workplace culture can be of such appearances. With all the strict values and traditions that a conservative culture imposes on its companies’ inner cultures, the consequences of having a tattoo may surpass individuals’ expectations. Jordan, as a Middle Eastern country, has a conservative culture, and tattoos are not a culturally acceptable trend. This study aims to explore whether tattooed individuals in Jordan experience any discrimination throughout their careers in different sectors in the country due to their different physical appearance and if such body modifications create any risks in being treated fairly in an organization. This research adopts a social constructivist approach that integrates narratives from six Jordanian tattooed individuals who faced discriminatory actions in a workplace due to their appearance. The findings revealed that (i) tattooed individuals have fears of not getting employed or not having job security when employed. (ii) Tattooed individuals are being judged based on how they look rather than their performance. (iii) Tattooed individuals may suffer from psychological impacts. (IV) Tattooed individuals are lost between who they are (what they want) and who they should be (what others want). This research increases awareness of the possible impacts of discriminatory actions on tattooed individuals in the workplace and recommends actions to eliminate this impact.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Resources Management Department, American University of Madaba, P.O.Box: 2882, Madaba, 11821, Jordan

    Arwa Al-Twal & Razan Abuhassan

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  1. Arwa Al-Twal
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  2. Razan Abuhassan
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Correspondence to Arwa Al-Twal.

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Al-Twal, A., Abuhassan, R. Tattoos and career discrimination in a conservative culture: the case of Jordan. Curr Psychol 43, 11914–11923 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05304-7

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