Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset that 'Claire's' pierce babies ears...

150 replies

ConstantlyFrazzled · 01/02/2012 14:53

.... right in the main window for everyone to see... Sad

I hate to think of little babies having painful things done to them that they have not consented to, need or asked for. I know ear piercing isn't the end of the world, but I was really upset to see a baby today sitting on her mother's lap being held still, about to be 'pierced' for the sake of 'beauty'. Seconds later the baby did of course scream out in pain and cry, and I have to admit I felt extremely angry and upset for her sake Sad.

Am I being unreasonable to think that a child should be old enough to consent to have their ears pierced or is it right to allow parents to make this decision?

I would like to see 'Claire's' setting a minimum age for ear piercing - am I being unreasonable to suggest that?

OP posts:
giveitago · 01/02/2012 20:30

Pop- ear piercings might be painful but are they really harmful?

Feminine · 01/02/2012 20:32

Ok pop I sit corrected Wink

Still, I don't remember it hurting very much at all.

Maybe I am made of stone?

WhatIsPi · 01/02/2012 20:36

I dont particularly like it and wouldnt do it to mine but to compare it to FGM is beyond the pale frankly - even to tattoos is preposterous for the simple reason that if you leave it it will close up again and heal itself - unlike a tatt or FGS genital mutilation.

Robinredboobs · 01/02/2012 20:43

Why do people think piercings don't leave scars? I've had lots done in my younger days, none of which have "closed up" and are noticible In fact have one that actually weeps from time to time which is just gross!

"there are no nerve endings in your ear lobe" WHERE the FUCK do you people get this from?? So I can come cut off your earlobe and it won't hurt? Get real.

giveitago · 01/02/2012 20:46

"giveitago Are you suggesting that someone who thinks piercing a baby's ears is plain wrong, should suddenly think otherwise just because someone says it's cultural"

No - not at all - I'm not trying to convince you it's right and that you should do it for you and yours.

There are those that because of historical cultural reasons pierce and those that don't. And our culture is important in this. All my friends back in the late '70s and early '80s were made to wait until they were 16. I thought the entire rite of passage thing was odd. Now these parents who are against it for young tots think it's ok at 12, or 6 etc.

WhatIsPi · 01/02/2012 20:47

Maybe because some of us had our ears pierced in the normal place a baby would - ie not high up, didnt get on with it/couldnt be bothered and left it and now you cant see anything [shrug]

Feminine · 01/02/2012 20:48

robin calm down.

How rude you are.

Are you able to discuss without cussing?

The fact your scars "weep" says more about your cleanliness than anything else...where on earth did you get them?

Feminine · 01/02/2012 20:50

whtis I agree a normal ear hole closes up.

Or at least if you don't mess with it , that is.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 01/02/2012 20:53

My Latin American friend has her daughter's ears pierced. FWIW she thinks controlled crying is the worst form of baby torture. As for comparing it to FGM... get a grip.

MumofAurelia · 01/02/2012 20:54

It is just too young! Poor little babies.
Claires is not a good choice anyway, a high street window, everyone wandering around in the shop. How can they guarantee cleanliness? The training, is it certificated etc etc etc
The whole thing is grim, cultural reasons or not, causing such pain deliberately to a small child without consent is morally wrong

suebfg · 01/02/2012 21:09

I had a second hole pierced in my ears and it has never healed up i.e. you can still see the small hole.

FutureNannyOgg · 01/02/2012 21:09

Not all piercings close cleanly, they will almost always scar, and if they were at all healed they will often leave a bit of a "tunnel" where the skin secretes oils which end up as a cheesy build up. Nice.

suebfg · 01/02/2012 21:10

Well like a tattoo it's an unnecessary procedure that is carried out for purely cosmetic and not medical purposes.

SugarPasteHedgehog · 01/02/2012 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Goldenbear · 01/02/2012 22:25

MissBetsy, is your friend a rational person?

CoffeeOne · 01/02/2012 22:36

I used to work for Claire's part time when I was at uni. Training to pierce ears was part of their standard programme. I said I would be happy to pierce ears but was unhappy/uncomfortable doing babies. I was told I wouldn't have a choice so I refused to complete the training. I'm not really sure what the point of my post is, I guess to point out that you can contact Claire's but they really won't give a shit.

justanuthermanicmumsday · 01/02/2012 22:41

why does a baby who still defecates in nappies need earrings to beautify themself? its more for the parents satisfaction than the child, the child doesn't know what she has signed up for, maybe because she never signed in the first placr?

DaenerysTargaryenButCallMeDany · 01/02/2012 22:47
DaenerysTargaryenButCallMeDany · 01/02/2012 22:50

not at claires though, eeeew dirty much?

Ferris124 · 01/02/2012 22:54

I am amazed! :-O It should be illegal for anyone under 16.

Ferris

entropygirl · 01/02/2012 22:58

The limit at Claire's is 4 months? Fuck! I have wasted 4 months already! My poor DD's naked naked ears...she looks so ugly and its all my fault. Especially since I already had her tatooed with 'Mummy's little fashion accessory' across her forehead....

blackeyedsusan · 01/02/2012 23:06

How many of you who think it is wrrrong signed the e petition mentioned earlier? it has had a grand total of 2 extra signatures since I started reading the thread.

SugarPasteHedgehog · 01/02/2012 23:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

entropygirl · 01/02/2012 23:14

Already signed it :( this topic comes up frequently on MN.

BustersOfDoom · 01/02/2012 23:22

My DM was once in Claire's buying stuff for my DN and the woman in front was going ballistic at the girl behind the counter because they refused to pierce her baby girl's ears. After she stormed out threatening all sorts the assistant told my DM that it was up to each individual 'piercer' as to who they would and wouldn't pierce. She refused to pierce the ears of anyone under the aged of 5. No idea if this is their actually policy though.

And it's just my opinion but earrings on babies just looks fucking awful. I don't give a flying fuck if it's 'cultural' it still looks fucking awful.