Ear Piercing - What age is ok?

[WannabeNigella]

My friend is letting her DD have her ears pierced for her 5th birthday. I know it is none of my business but I wanted to plead with her not to.

My DD is just 3 and there is no way she will be having ears pierced till at least 12 or 13 the way I feel about it at the moment, preferably 16!

AIBU? What is an acceptable age? I just think that it looks so chavvy when they are young and it's so unnecessary too.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

It's not really funny to object to inflicting pain on a child. It's 'funnier' to not object. The only judgement I make on adults who do this to their newborn is that they are a little bit stupid. It might be cultural but it still hurts like buggery and any idiot can work that out no matter what their background. They just choose to ignore it.

I have three holes in each ear and a nose piercing so that theory is blown. I can also vouch for the fact that it hurts.

[meltedchocolate]

If for no other reason I think it looks very tacky on children younger than 12 - 13.

[catgirl1976]

It's funny how people who are against ear piercing/tattoos and the like always have such a strong opinion about the people who do like those things.

I have several tattoos but I still think piercings look vile on children.

[meltedchocolate]

By the way, I am aware mine is just personal taste and opinion. I used to have twelve piercings in my teens. Whoever said about the gun was right. For anywhere other than lobes, piercings should only be done by needle. A gun shatters apart the flesh (which should heal fine on lobes) whereas a needles makes a clean slice which should heal much better. I am not sure if needles are offered for lobes though? Or has this changed?

[dolldaggabuzzbuzz]

At least secondary school age.

[ben5]

I would say the summer hols before they go to secondary school but then that could be unfair if they want to go swimming. so maybe easter time before they go to secondary school.
I wasn't allowed mine done at all( my mum was of the ear clip generation!) but then i was really into my swimming and didn't want to miss any so wasn't that upset.
I got mine done when I was 19

[NewbeeMummy]

I had to wait until I was 16, and had good enough grades (that was the deal in our house)

I recently watched a 2yo having her ears done, and it was one of the most horrible things I have ever seen. Why anyone would deliberately hurt their child, is beyond me.

[BabyDubsEverywhere]

Ive had/got lots or piercings, and tattoos, so has my DH, we hoik our judgey pants right up around our pierced and stretched ears whenever we see a primary or nursery child with earrings. Dont get me started on babies and toddlers. Maiming someone who cant defend themselves in any other circumstance is unforgivable, unless its a very small child and youre chopping off their forskin or sticking metal into their body parts, and then if you're from the right 'culture' its fine.....

I couldnt give a flying fig what your culture is tbh, and i dont differenciate between the cultures that allow, even expect this, you're all tw@ts as far as I am concerned.

[BabyDubsEverywhere]

Sorry, that last bit may be a bit harsh, idiots would maybe be more fitting...hth

[BrianAndHisBalls]

tw@ts was fine BabyDubs, I agree. I had lots of piercings when younger (late teenage/twenties) but still think people that do it to young children are sick.

[WannabeNigella]

I think the difference with doing it to children is ultimately that you are not only hurting them but maiming their body purely for vanity. It's not that unlike plastic surgery and that's illegal. The more I have thought about it the more I think it should be illegal until they are 16. There is no purpose or benefit to doing it and should be done only when a child truly knows their own mind and going into adulthood.

No matter how mature a 6 year old may be to their parents, they are still not old enough to make an informed choice on something like this.

[Andrewofgg]

Just a thought - if you have a DD who hates PRE would it be a way to get her out of it for a time?

[TheArmadillo]

Me and dh have decided 4 or 5yo for dd - before she starts school I think. Though if the school bans them completely then we'd reconsider on the basis it would be a pain. ATM ds school allows them as long as they cover them with tape for PE.

I've had my ears done several times and don't consider it particularly painful. I had the first lot done at about 9yo. 2nd sets I'd make them wait until they were secondary school I think and other piercings 16yo.

I can see the advantages of getting them done as a baby

[Insomnia11]

I had mine done with a needle, rather than a gun, when I was 10. It didn't hurt apart from the ear freezing bit which was rather uncomfortable. Think it was done the same way when I had subsequent piercings at the age of 20, one further in each ear and one in the top of my right ear. Was obviously done quite well thankfully as I still have all the openings even though I don't wear earrings that much now.

[newcommer]

someone I know got their DDs ears pierced at 4months old, I do think that is a little mean. She was so proud as her DD didn't cry atall! I think the poor baby was probably in shock :(

[Hammy02]

Don't understand why anyone of any age would put holes in themselves. In my 30's and don't have mine pierced.