piercing a young childs ears........

[charllie]

I really don't understand why a parent would want to take their young child out and get their ears pierced!! Having a stranger, or even someone you know, either using a piercing gun to pierce their ears, or using a needle (not sure which one is used for young children) I personally think it should be illegal for a parent to make this decision. Or maybe not that strong, but at least an age limit. Why can't the child make that decision for themselves when they are older. Why take a baby, or even a toddler out to get their ears pierced!!?? In my eyes, its a form of child abuse. Its no different to hitting your child, etc. You are causing them pain, quite often making them bleed, all so they 'look nice' well i think it looks horrible! I've not seen one child/baby that i think awww cute. I have piercings myself and i will not be getting my DD's ears pierced until i feel she is old enough to make that decision for herself and only then, will it be after she has been talking about it for a little while.

Good luck with this thread!

DD is 10y and would like her ears pierced. She knows that the summer between primary and secondary is when she is allowed - so another year's time. Seems like this is a very usual time for ears being pierced round here.

Agreed. Not sure how, in terms of mutilation, it is different from other kinds done against the person's wishes - either on religious grounds or for "beauty".

I have to say I agree in some respects. I hate babies and small children with pierced ears. It is wholly unneccesary and actually makes them look less cute!
I think you are being OTT to say child abuse though.

I notice you're quite new to Mumsnet OP...so just to explain the biscuits, it's probably because this subject has been done to death.

Not that you should know that thought, it's up to you what sort of subject you choose.

Anyway, YANBU. I think the legal age should be at least 12yrs.

I have some very nice chocolate toffee popcorn

I don't think it should be done until the child is old enough to have chosen to do it and is responsible enough to deal with aftercare

New to MN and straight onto AIBU with this old chestnut. Yeah. That happens.

Hulababy see that is the sort of age where i think a child is old enough to decide that for themselves. The reason i wrote this thread is i had just gone on fb and saw a friend had put a photo of her 1 and half year old daughter on there, with her ears newly pierced. Under the photo she put 'awww what a big girl, she didn't even cry' grrrrrr lol

I agree I think it looks horrible! Nobody would tattoo a baby so why is making holes in their little ears acceptable?

Have just let my nine year old, nearly ten, have hers done because then she can take them out herself after the holidays..... She really wanted to and I had mine done when I was ten so couldn't be a hypocrite really! She looks very pretty.

I don't see the problem with it. YABU.

Mmm, chocolate toffee popcorn? Yes please!

Good luck with this thread OP!

YANBU I think young children with pierced ears look awful

And I think the legal age should be 16

Well if the little one didn't even cry it might not have hurt so YABU their choice.

Any pain that did happen would last only a second and some people think it's worth it because they like the look.

Am i going to get my DDs done? No because i don't like earings on kids but that's my choice.

It is definitely not child abuse and to suggest it is is ridiculous.

Had my DDs done yesterday, they are 9 and 11 and made the decision late last year. We have made very very sure that they knew what was involved and it was done by a trained professional whom we know very well. It was fine.

YANBU for thinking it is not appropriate to have it done before a child is old enough to make their own decision.

YANBU aswell as all the reasons you have said it also looks so chavvy, particularly on young boys

Oh and speaking as someone who has had both having your ears pierced and having a tattoo are two entirely different things

Yes, this subject has been done to death, but the OP is NBU.

While I personally feel that it's not appropriate below secondary school age, I wouldn't judge a parent who allowed their child the choice a couple of year before this.

It's indefensible to pierce a baby or small child's ears. It's mutilation and it's without consent.

Well you wouldn't like me then,I have four DD,the older three had their ears pierced at six months and my youngest DD will be six months when she has hers done but then we are chavs especially by mumsnet standards and you no what I'm okay with that

ah as some of you have realised, i am new here, so hadn't realised this had been done to death so to speak. So for those of you who have seen this sort of post before, sorry :)

metal how refreshing !

Pavlov YABU, I don't like chocolate on my toffee popcorn!

I would love to understand why people do this though, it's just so weird. They (hopefully!) wouldn't tattoo a baby or even dye their hair, so what is it about putting holes in them that is deemed acceptable?

I just don't get it.