Ear piercing for young children?

[Kate!]

I was at my local shops yesterday and a woman in front of me in the queue started chatting to me, as you do. Her baby, aged about 18 months, was in her pram and this woman told me that she'd just had her ears pierced (the child) as "a treat". I just smiled and said she looked cute but to be honest I was horrified. "A treat!" The little girl was just a baby. I don't agree with this, but would never have said anything as it's not my place. I feel however that parents shouldn't be able to get their children pierced anywhere until the child is of a reasonable age to make that decision themselves. Obviously children grow up quickly these days so I'm not advocating anything like 16 or 18, but maybe 10 or 12? And there's the question of whether the salon or wherever they have it done should have a moral and ethical duty to set an age limit on such treatments. I believe they should, I don't know whether or not there's an actual law for this, but if not then there should be.

Thoughts?

[Smithy]

I don't see a problem tbh, if the kids don't like them when they grow up they can take them out and let the hole heel up

[Ammi]

..There are a lot of primary school children with ear piercings...boys and girls...I personally wouldn't do it..but it isn't harmful so it's their choice..I think in most cases they would end up having them anyway..it's not something that really bothers me

[Vicky.]

I dont agree with it at that age. When they are old enough to actually ask for them done and understand what they want then its a different story.

Its easy enough to say they can take them out and they will heal up if they dont want it done but I took my second earrings out about 6 years ago now and still have holes there D:

Also, its not safe tbh. They could catch them on something, they could be pulled out at school/nursery...

[fruit_cake]

In Spain most girls get them done the same day they're born.

[Niamh.]

I think it's horrible, how you could do that to your baby is beyond me, besides the fact that they may not want holes in their ears when they're older, it really hurts to get it done.

[Lee.]

I hate seeing babies with their ears pierced! I saw a tiny baby boy (like only a couple of months old) with a bright red ear with a stud in it! :bored:

I have to admit though that I allowed my daughter to get hers done last year on her 7th birthday.. she only wears tiny studs and it looks rather pretty.. I originally told her she would have to wait until she turned 12 but she got my mum on her side and after a bit if persuasion and a gentle reminder that I had mine done on my 7th birthday, I gave in. :)

[Kate!]

I dont agree with it at that age. When they are old enough to actually ask for them done and understand what they want then its a different story.

Its easy enough to say they can take them out and they will heal up if they dont want it done but I took my second earrings out about 6 years ago now and still have holes there D:

Also, its not safe tbh. They could catch them on something, they could be pulled out at school/nursery...

Absolutely this.

I just think there's enough pressure on children in modern society to grow up too quickly, let them be children I say, and if they want it when they are at a suitable age then that's totally fine.

I agree with Vicky's point here about the safety aspects as well, a lot of school are quite "hot" on this and actually have policies that a child coming to school wearing earrings must either remove them or be taken home, and I've worked in a school and seen this enforced. The parents generally do their nut especially if they've just paid for it done and it means they'll heal up, but how would they feel if they received a phone call to tell them their child is in hospital with their ear ripped. The blame would lie squarely on their own shoulders.

[Niamh.]

I hate seeing babies with their ears pierced! I saw a tiny baby boy (like only a couple of months old) with a bright red ear with a stud in it! :bored:

I have to admit though that I allowed my daughter to get hers done last year on her 7th birthday.. she only wears tiny studs and it looks rather pretty.. I originally told her she would have to wait until she turned 12 but she got my mum on her side and after a bit if persuasion and a gentle reminder that I had mine done on my 7th birthday, I gave in. :)

That's different though, she was old enough to want to have them done, plus she would have been aware of the fact that it will hurt

[fruit_cake]

never did my girls any harm tbh

[Kate!]

I think in that instance Lee, it's far more acceptable, and as you say they were delicate studs not hoops or anything. :)

I may be called sexist here :laugh: but I think it's more of a no no for boys till later years than girls as well.

[Jesus.]

Worse things are done to defenceless baby boys, and in some Muslim cultures, worse things are done to defenceless female children (removal of the clitoris).

Ear piercing looks tacky, and I'd never get it done, but it will cause no lasting damage.

[Bollo]

I think it's horrible and looks really pikey, especially on babies.

My mum let me have my ears pierced when I was about 14, I wore earrings for about four years and then grew out of it completely.

Having said that I think earrings are ok if you are 16+ and that is what you like

[Ammi]

Worse things are done to defenceless baby boys, and in some Muslim cultures, worse things are done to defenceless female children (removal of the clitoris).

Ear piercing looks tacky, and I'd never get it done, but it will cause no lasting damage.

Yes I agree with that..the schools around here won't let children wear any type of hoops..just a very small stud, which must be removed for PE..I can honestly say..I've never know any earring related injury ever occur...It could have in some school, but I haven't heard of it

[Josy]

I don't see any problem with it and I suppose its really up to the parents.

[Sam:)]

I dont really have a problem but I wouldnt do it to my own child....
I'd say 98% of girls have it pierced anyway at some point.

[Jordan.]

There's no real need for it unless you see your child as an accessory.

[Kizzy]

Hate it! child abuse in my view....

[Ninastar]

I would hate seeing my baby get injections never mind their ears pierced. it's hard enough to see a baby cry in pain because of something that will make them better, but to see them cry in pain because of jewellery is awful

[GypsyGoth]

I think it'll be illegal one day.

[ILoveTRW]

I would hate seeing my baby get injections never mind their ears pierced. it's hard enough to see a baby cry in pain because of something that will make them better, but to see them cry in pain because of jewellery is awful

there not in pain, if it was that painful you would remember yours

[Ninastar]

there not in pain, if it was that painful you would remember yours

i'm pretty sure it's not an enjoyable experience for a baby even if it's not painful

[Jordan.]

Pain aside it's still unnecessary

[InOne]

It's wrong. The kid should be old enough to make a choice.

[ILoveTRW]

is the circumcision of kids wrong then?

[GypsyGoth]

is the circumcision of kids wrong then?

Only primitive religions do that.

[ILoveTRW]

Only primitive religions do that.

you need to get some international stamps in pissport

[Jesus.]

is the circumcision of kids wrong then?

Yes

[GypsyGoth]

you need to get some international stamps in pissport

I don't know what that means, but thanks I guess.

[SharkAttack]

We let our 9 year old make the call and only when she inquired about it. She took care of her ears for about two months and then grew annoyed with it all so let them heal up. She can decide when she's older if she wants to try again, but the key here is to let them decide for themselves if they want to add those kinds of jewelry that require a small amount of mutilation.

[Ammi]

I would hate seeing my baby get injections never mind their ears pierced. it's hard enough to see a baby cry in pain because of something that will make them better, but to see them cry in pain because of jewellery is awful

...good point

[ThisIsAnAccount]

I was at my local shops yesterday and a woman in front of me in the queue started chatting to me, as you do. Her baby, aged about 18 months, was in her pram and this woman told me that she'd just had her ears pierced (the child) as "a treat". I just smiled and said she looked cute but to be honest I was horrified. "A treat!" The little girl was just a baby. I don't agree with this, but would never have said anything as it's not my place. I feel however that parents shouldn't be able to get their children pierced anywhere until the child is of a reasonable age to make that decision themselves. Obviously children grow up quickly these days so I'm not advocating anything like 16 or 18, but maybe 10 or 12? And there's the question of whether the salon or wherever they have it done should have a moral and ethical duty to set an age limit on such treatments. I believe they should, I don't know whether or not there's an actual law for this, but if not then there should be.

Thoughts?

what's the harm? if the child grows up and decides doesn't want earings or piercings anymore then they just take them out and if they want to cover up the holes they'll probably be a way to do that too....

[Locke.]

Fine with girls, not with boys

[Ammi]

...I think what I dislike more..is very young boys who have...'stuff' shaved into their hair...Nike ticks and things

[King Gizzard]

..chavs

[King Gizzard]

I had my ear done during high school but I left it a while and couldn't get it back in :( it was biggish hole too had quite a black plastic earing thing in it (not those massive things you see)

[Ammi]

..chavs

..I guess so.....it doesn't look right anyway

[Jessica.]

...I think what I dislike more..is very young boys who have...'stuff' shaved into their hair...Nike ticks and things

When my nephew was about six he wouldn't stop asking to have a spiderman web shaved into his hair because he saw another kid with one, and obviously loved spiderman, he loved it but it grew out really fast and he wasn't bothered after that. :joker:

I don't really have a problem with kids getting their ears pierced, they most likely wont remember it and lots of girls will get them done eventually anyway, as long as the parents look after the child's ears properly and don't put big earrings on them, I think it's fine.

[Marc]

18months is pretty early to be honest

[Kate!]

what's the harm? if the child grows up and decides doesn't want earings or piercings anymore then they just take them out and if they want to cover up the holes they'll probably be a way to do that too....

no. let them make the decision themselves in the first place. As was pointed out above, a child is not an accessory and I can't understand the logic behind getting very young children pierced, it's painful and totally unnecessary, what possible benefit can be gained from it? None at all.

With regards to circumcision, I think that's an awful practice, very primitive and totally unnecessary.

[Niamh.]

Only primitive religions do that.

Not really, most American babies are circumcised, not even to do with religious reasons, just because they think it looks better and is cleaner. Personally I don't agree with babies being circumcised unless it's for medical reasons.

[HBB1508]

Personally I can't stand babies/young children with earrings just as I can't stand parents who let them wear make up - let them be children while they can - when they get old enough to make their own decision that's fine.

[Benjamin]

I don't really have a problem with kids getting their ears pierced, they most likely wont remember it and lots of girls will get them done eventually anyway, as long as the parents look after the child's ears properly and don't put big earrings on them, I think it's fine.

I'm with Jess on this. I don't see any real problem with it.

[thesheriff443]

Hate it! child abuse in my view....

pete burns would love this quote:joker:

[Livia]

Only primitive religions do that.

My religion does that. I do not regard myself as "primitive". Around 80% of the male population of the USA is circumcised - not all for reglious purposes, and not all because they're "primitive".

I've noticed that a lot of discussions seem to get turned around to circumcision. I don't know any man who is circumcised and has a problem with it, and some women prefer a man who is circumcised. I'd say there are far more worthy bandwagons to jump on... female circumcision, for instance.

[thesheriff443]

My religion does that. I do not regard myself as "primitive". Around 80% of the male population of the USA is circumcised - not all for reglious purposes, and not all because they're "primitive".

I've noticed that a lot of discussions seem to get turned around to circumcision. I don't know any man who is circumcised and has a problem with it, and some women prefer a man who is circumcised. I'd say there are far more worthy bandwagons to jump on... female circumcision, for instance.

jump livia:joker:,
im jokeing,you know i luv you:spin:

[Kazanne]

My little girl had hers a couple of years ago she was 6,I wasn't too keen but she really wanted them done,I do think it should be the childs decision,imo,no need for it as babies.

[Livia]

My little girl had hers a couple of years ago she was 6,I wasn't too keen but she really wanted them done,I do think it should be the childs decision,imo,no need for it as babies.

My nieces had them done when they were six. They wanted to have it done and drove their mother insane! They are only allowed to wear tiny studs though. Looks terrible on babies and little kids though.

[Z]

I just think it looks a bit tacky at that age. I think, in the example Lee gave, if a child really wants to get it done and is therefore old enough to make decisions, then it's fine because they've made a conscious choice. ILoveTRW, I think circumcision of children is wrong too, yes, because they're not old enough to know if that's what they want - and it can't be undone.

[bananarama]

I dont agree with it at that age. When they are old enough to actually ask for them done and understand what they want then its a different story.

Its easy enough to say they can take them out and they will heal up if they dont want it done but I took my second earrings out about 6 years ago now and still have holes there D:

Also, its not safe tbh. They could catch them on something, they could be pulled out at school/nursery...


Agree 100%. Some parents treat children as objects rather than people and do with them as such. Should be made ilegal to abuse a child in a pysical way unless there are medical reasons.

Religious rituals and indeed religious beliefs should by law not allowed to be imposed on children until they reach an age of consent and approval and understanding as to why certain thigs are done and beliefs are formed......Age of consent for religion indoctrination and physical ritulistic proceedures should be 18.

Anything physical done to a child or indoctrinated beliefs should be regarded as child abuse......

[Kizzy]

Agree 100%. Some parents treat children as objects rather than people and do with them as such. Should be made ilegal to abuse a child in a pysical way unless there are medical reasons.

Religious rituals and indeed religious beliefs should by law not allowed to be imposed on children until they reach an age of consent and approval and understanding as to why certain thigs are done and beliefs are formed......Age of consent for religion indoctrination and physical ritulistic proceedures should be 18.

Anything physical done to a child or indoctrinated beliefs should be regarded as child abuse......

Agreed!

[thesheriff443]

its not that simple!

[Patrick]

I got mine pierced on my 1st Birthday?

[GypsyGoth]

Agree 100%. Some parents treat children as objects rather than people and do with them as such. Should be made ilegal to abuse a child in a pysical way unless there are medical reasons.

Religious rituals and indeed religious beliefs should by law not allowed to be imposed on children until they reach an age of consent and approval and understanding as to why certain thigs are done and beliefs are formed......Age of consent for religion indoctrination and physical ritulistic proceedures should be 18.

Anything physical done to a child or indoctrinated beliefs should be regarded as child abuse......

:worship:

[MTVN]

An age of consent for "religious indoctrination" lol, what are you gonna do, have bouncers on Church doors checking ID's

[fruit_cake]

to call getting ears pierced 'child abuse' is stretching the imagination just a bit too much imo. It looks nice.

[letmein]

My religion does that. I do not regard myself as "primitive". Around 80% of the male population of the USA is circumcised - not all for reglious purposes, and not all because they're "primitive".

I've noticed that a lot of discussions seem to get turned around to circumcision. I don't know any man who is circumcised and has a problem with it, and some women prefer a man who is circumcised. I'd say there are far more worthy bandwagons to jump on... female circumcision, for instance.

Nope, and the number is dropping quickly.

Circumcision came to America thanks to a Christian nutcase, who went around propagandizing that by circumcising little boys, they'd keep their hands off their private parts.

Circumcision should be banned, and yes, it's primitive to do this to children.

[letmein]

Fine with girls, not with boys

:joker:

[Jack_]

The point is what you do to and with your own body is your own choice, no one else's. I don't see what right anyone else has to tell you or force you to have something done to your body that you don't want, or agree with. It's a personal choice and I find it extremely bizarre as to how anyone can argue in favour of allowing parents to make the choice.

The only instances whereby someone else (parents, whoever) should have to make a choice is if it's medically advised, and you're at an age too young to understand, or if you are for whatever reason incapable of making a decision (i.e. unconscious or something).

Your body is yours to do what you want with it. It's nobody else's.