Tattoos, Life Style and the Labor Market

Rik Dillingh, Peter Kooreman () and Jan Potters
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Rik Dillingh: Tilburg University
Peter Kooreman: Tilburg University

No 9675, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Placing a tattoo is a choice with potentially significant and long-lasting social and economic consequences. In this study we look at the factors determining the decision to place a tattoo and combine this with several outcomes, such as income and employment status, living together with a partner, (perceived) health and substance use. 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. The first part of our analysis describes the number, timing, location, size and visibility of tattoos. In the second part we use fixed effects and instrumental variables analysis to explore the effect of tattoos on the above mentioned outcome measures. 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.

Keywords: family; health; labor market; tattoos; panel data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J10 J20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2016-01
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Published - published in: Labour, 2020, 34 (2), 191-214

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Related works:
Journal Article: Tattoos, Lifestyle, and the Labor Market (2020)
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