Themes for Composition: Should you get a tattoo?

I’m teaching Composition again this Fall.  The kids in class are all freshmen.  I want to do loads of different writing exercises.  One of my favorite themes is ‘Should you get a tattoo?’  When I taught in public school, the administration initiated writing exercises in every class.  I looked for provocative topics.  When I introduced tattoos, the kids wrote volumes.   I use Chemmatters: Tattoo Chemistry Goes Skin Deep.  We write a list of pros and cons of getting a tattoo.  We discuss reasons people get tattoos, such as tributes, heritage, etc.  Finally, they write an essay explaining whether or not one should get a tattoo.  Recently, there are studies which suggest tattoos may cause lymphoma.  Some kids are fiercely opposed, often saying their bodies are temples of God.  While I don’t have or want a tattoo, many, many teens do.  Try this topic; you’ll have such a rich discussion and powerful essays.