To hate that DGD has her ears pierced

YANBU, piercing children's ears without their consent is gross.

You don't have to give them money for solid gold earrings. Reduce the amount you give them if you have to support them.

I just don't see the need for very young children to wear jewellery. Earrings can be sore as well, I know I had problems myself with them getting red and sore when I was in my twenties but at least it was my choice to have them. I don't like the fact they're done at an age a child has zero input in to whether they want them or not.

So in short , There are bigger concerns but it looks bad is the main one.

I was 2 when I had mine done. My mum waited until I was old enough to talk to about it, I was a bit of an old head on young shoulders by all accounts. I'm not cheap or trashy and I'm also not traumatised or anything else. If anything I'm glad I got it done then because I would probably have bottled it when I was older and I like earrings. They are removable so it's not comparable to tattoos, plastic surgery, GM etc.

Help your daughter out with gift cards to food shops and petrol vouchures.

My mum had my ears pierced when I was between 1 and 2 years old. It hasn’t mattered for a long time. It’s not worth worrying about.

Singled out for what? For wearing earrings? That's so absurd. Why would she be? This is all in your mind as you are so judgemental about this situation. In fact wearing gold earrings is much better, hygienic and safer than cheap ones. So on that front, the parents are right.

You sound awfully judgemental. What business is it of yours?

By the time your DD hits 14/15 the piercing of ears might be the least of your concern - think bellybutton, nose etc 😆oh the joys, I’m glad mine is past that age now.

I hate seeing babies with pierced ears, and while I personally wouldn’t pierce my daughters ears at 3 years old, I don’t think it looks so quite so bad at that age. You’re just going to have to accept the earrings are here to stay.

I'm with you OP.

There's obviously serious issues with morality and consent and hygiene and choking that are obviously the most important and worrying issues surrrounding piercing in children.

But all the aside, pierced ears on kids is just chavvy AF and looks horrendous until they are at least 14/15 minimum

Thank God my DD has no interest because it would be a resounding no.

No, she's judging the parents.

I don't care if it's cultural, I can't fathom how those parents inflict pain on their babies

& yes I think it looks tacky as hell putting jewellery on babies/toddlers. They're beautiful as they are. It just looks horrible.

personally I'd worry about them pulling ghem, catching on clothing.

@OhSoYouAreFancy Dd has come back here, separated from DGD's Dad, is not following his culture in other ways, why won't she remove the earrings & allow them to heal over & not have all the hassle as she goes through her schooling??

You are wrong to use words like downmarket and cheap to describe something associated with your grandchild.

the issue of consent and body autonomy is all you need to justify a cringe every time you see the earrings.

what is done is done though so you are going to have to let it go.

On the surface, not your kid, not your problem

Really though, this is a post to allow the OP to let out all the resentment and hostility she seems to have towards her DD, all wrapped up in a topic that she knew was bound to end up making her feel justified 🙄

It's awful.
It's saying, 'we want you to look prettier' when they're of an age where they don't know or care. Brutal.
Different when they're old enough to express a desire to have it done.

Seems British people have strong views on this but different cultures do things differently…

Not all British people.

Look at the tattoo trend now - a lot of professional wouldn’t have jobs if they had tattoos when I was young and now they are on all sorts of people and difficult to cover or remove.

At least earrings are small simple and understated - and removable.

Have you tried plastic / silicon studs? You have to look really closely to see them. I've used silicon nose studs when I have been working places that don't approve of my piercing.

They are soft so can be worn for sports.

@QuintessentialDragon bizarre take on it! In British culture that is how it is deemed. But ironic you then slate the British and insult them in your post, whilst saying people are insulting European cultures (which the OP wasn't)

You may give your daughter a lot of money but it sounds like she certainly pays for it.
It is fine to dislike piercing children’s ears but the judgement and words you use about your 3 year old grandchild are disturbing.

Yep, I kicked of in Claire's accessories when they were trying to pin a screaming 2 year old down to pierce her ears. Barbaric , selfish, stupid and technically assault all in the name of vanity, culture etc.

Where did I mention anything about babys looking trashy? I am not the op.

Exactly. There are good reasons for steering clear of ear piercing in young children. Suggesting it makes them seem 'downmarket' is not one of them.

@BunnyLake it depends why you're judging it tbh. A lot of the outrage from OP and a lot of other posters seem to be based on class and perception.

Tbf , it is reversible. DD wanted earrings at 8, got them done , all well and good. When she started secondary she didn't want them any more (couldn't be bothered with the faff), took them out and now, unless you're looking for it you wouldn't even know.

I think it’s awful. Children should be able to choose something like that, not have it forced upon them.