Opinions on Ear Piercing For Babies/Toddlers?

[RabbitsRock]

Just seen a photo on Facebook of an ex colleague’s child who I don’t think is even 2 & she has pierced ears. I just think it’s so wrong. In really little babies it’s even worse! At least wait until the child is old enough to choose & even then, that’s really too soon. I first had mine done at 16 & they soon healed over as I couldn’t be bothered to do what you’re supposed to do properly.

C A

This. Cosmetic circumcision should only be allowed for consenting adults who can decide for themselves. It's foul that parents choose to cut part of their baby's penis to make it look prettier or because they can't be bothered to teach them how to clean it properly 🤢

That would be more acceptable than in the name of religion

Not sure it is, they're all bullshit made up reasons.

Cruel.
Unnecessary.
Done without consent.
Ugly.
Vulgar.
Common.

Vile, cruel and unnecessary. Babies don’t need earrings to make them look cute.

Such a lot of overly judgy middle class mothers!!! Not your baby, nothing to do with you.

Anything like this done without a child's consent is wrong.

My DD was diagnosed with a heart condition aged 10. Her Cardiologist said never to get her ears pierced or tattoos. (Additional risk of infections)

Where do you draw the line with that attitude? Corporal punishment? (Non medical) circumcison? Fgm?

It's awful. People judge the child based on the parents poor choices. I said 11/ high school age and DD actually waited until after her GCSEs.

It's personal choice. DD got hers done when she was 8 or 9, as was asking to have them done. I think at that age she realised that she needed to take care of them or risk infection. I have noticed when on holiday in Spain and Portugal that lots of babies and toddlers have pierced ears and it doesn't seem frowned upon.

It’s abusive

I probably judge the parents more for taking their screaming toddler to Claire’s to be pierced by a hungover teenager on a Saturday afternoon with a gun that can’t be properly sterilised rather than actually piercing their ears. If you’re going to poke holes in a baby at least take it to someone who knows what the fuck they’re doing.

Considering my nail tech says she would invalidate her insurance and potentially be unable to work if she did anything other than basic polish on a child under 10, the fact that piercers can punch holes in babies is mad! I begged and begged to have mine done and was allowed age 8/9 which was still probably too young really

@Sirzy in some cultures, infant ear piercing is a deeply ingrained tradition, often seen as a symbol of identity. It’s no one’s place to judge this. Also ear piercings can close over time, so if a child doesn’t like it they can take the earrings out when they are older. Circumcision and FGM have permanent consequences, which cannot be reversed. Ear piercing typically involves minimal physical alteration with a fast recovery. Circumcision and FGM however removes tissue and FGM often causes significant trauma and lifelong consequences. Additionally ear piercing is legal and widely practised, whereas FGM is illegal and banned in many countries for violating human rights. Circumcision may be religious or medical. FGM is neither but is linked to controlling sexuality and is considered a form of gender-based violence. So while I agree piercing a baby’s ears isn’t entirely free of ethical debate, it’s hugely and categorically different from circumcision and FGM. That said it’s not my place to judge another parent if they want their baby’s ears pierced.

Are you saying it makes it right?

ETA: Meant to quote someone upthread who repeated the usual 'But it's done in other cultures' etc.

In some cultures, FGM is what they do. It doesn't mean it's right or should be legal in the UK.

in some cultures, infant ear piercing is a deeply ingrained tradition, often seen as a symbol of identity. It’s no one’s place to judge this.

Absolute bollocks.

I'll judge parents all day long for punching holes in their babies just because, tradition inniiit

Circumcision is not even close to fgm. Maybe it needs its own description.

I'm not against it - it's not harmful.

There are always going to be people against something we do.

A baby does not need or want their ears pierced.
Pierced ears on babies make me immediately think their mother is chavvy and common.

There is no reason to pierce a baby’s ears. Wait until they ask to have them done when they are older.

Dd was 7 she asked. I had no issue. It was pretty much the year 3 default birthday present

If someone pierced your body twice without your consent, would you still think it's not harmful?

Plus, earrings can be very harmful to young babies.

There are few babies and toddlers on Tik Tok and YouTube that don't have pierced ears unfortunately. Especially the USA families that post.
I 'unlike' them all/mark as not interested because yes, I judge them.

Common as muck.