Jack, I thought you equated tattoos to status symbols - a way for insecure people to be accepted by a larger group. Pathetic, insecure boobs?
Do you wear a pair of shoes that are of a particular brand name? Do you drive a car or ride a bike which is manufactured by a certain company? The computer you use to write these posts - is it built by a multi national corporation?
Unless you can say no to these examples, of which there are many more that I have not listed, you too are demonstrating the status that you have within our society. It is a choice you have made, and which everyone makes. Even if you were able to say no to these examples, then that would reflect your choice to oppose the 'norm', and hence alter your status. However it would still be considered a status, but of a different degree, and you cannot escape it.
Some people get tattoos, others don't. Some people wear ties to work, others wear sandals, some people don't even work. No matter what choices people make, they are at some level demonstrating to the world their status - even if it is not a conscious decision.
The people who choose to get tattoos for whatever reason, even if they are getting them to desperately become part of a larger group, are no different from those people who oppose and reject tattoos. They too also wish to become part of a larger group - the people who decide against getting tattoos.
Vincit omnia Veritas: Truth conquers all.