Governing the Tattooed Body: Regulation of Tattoos in Croatian Uniformed Services in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

This article examines the regulation of tattoos in three key Croatian uniformed systems: the armed forces, the police, and the prison system, situating them within a wider international and socio-cultural context. Drawing on qualitative document analysis and a comparative interpretative approach, the study analyses legal frameworks, institutional practices and public discourses that shape the governance of bodily markings. Tattoos are approached not only as aesthetic choices but as culturally embedded communicative signs that intersect with questions of identity, discipline and professional representation. The findings demonstrate that Croatian regulations have historically relied on restrictive interpretations of professional appearance, particularly in the armed forces and police, where visible tattoos are framed as incompatible with institutional neutrality. However, recent policy shift announcements, media debates and individual cases indicate a gradual movement toward more flexible and context-sensitive models. Comparative insights from the United States, Israel, Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom confirm that international systems increasingly emphasise content-based restrictions, especially prohibiting extremist, discriminatory or violent symbols, while relaxing rules on mere visibility. In prisons, tattoos remain formally prohibited yet are widespread as marks of identity, hierarchy and resistance, reflecting a broader tension between institutional control and personal autonomy. Overall, the analysis shows that tattoo regulations operate at the intersection of professionalism, symbolism and social change. The article argues that clearer, transparent and content-focused criteria, rather than general visibility bans, represent the most balanced and sustainable direction for Croatian uniformed services.

DOI:10.5671/ca.49.1.11