[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

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!

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!]

Originally Posted by 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

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.]

Originally Posted by 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!

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 but I think it's more of a no no for boys till later years than girls as well.

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]

Originally Posted by Jesus.H.Christ

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

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?