To think that piercing a toddler's ears isn't right?

[slatternlymother]

An acquaintance of mine has updated on FB about having her 17mo dd's ears pierced this afternoon and has uploaded photos of how 'lovely' she looks.

I can't believe this is even legal! Is it? I'm quite shocked actually, I've never given it that much thought but surely the child should have some kind of choice? What about infection? I remember getting mine done and it hurt quite a bit actually, and I found it quite hard to sleep etc.

I hope they at least gave the little one some kind of numbing cream.

But in some cultures it is also "normal" for girls to be married at 11.
In my opinion that is unacceptable too.

Thank you for replying Dippy

I sort of hear what you're saying but can I just pick up and question a couple of things?

There is a cultural difference as you say. BUT when you say "so what?" that's where I would say "how can you dismiss it so easily? The fact that pain is inflicted on one so young? Especially as you say there is no cultural significance. That's where I would really shake my head in disbelief. That anyone could willfully hurt a defenceless child? I note your niece had hers pierced at 3years and whilst that is significally older than 12months, I still feel it's too young

But I appreciate your reply and thank you for highlighting there is no cultural significance. So, ARE there any cultural significances...anywhere??

I had my dd's ears done she's now 4. I think she was about a year old.
She wears diamonds in her ears. Not gawky massives things just lovely diamond studs her nan gave her.

I had mine done at 3 months
I got hers done
I don't consider it child abuse I just did it.

Why is it child abuse at a year old and not at 9 years old . Is it because the 9 year old has chosen to have it done it then doesn't become child abuse
Shes a little girl and most little girls have their ears pierced.

So flame me

are you really comparing a child being married off at 11 to ear piercing

i never said that all cultural traditions should be carried on by something that is so insignificant being compared to marrying off children or abuse (not by you) is ridiculous

But that is the point, is it not?
Ear piercing, circumcision, female genital mutilation, it's being 'done' to children.
If a 16 year old chooses to do these things to their own body, fine, I have no problem with that, it is their choice.
But a child who is not capable of making a choice whether it be ear piercing or circumcision, well that is wrong, in my opinion.

I pierced my sons ear while he was still in the womb!

Child abuse?! Threads full of loons if you think that's child abuse!

If someone wants to get their childa ear pierced why does it matter? I don't give one flying fuck what others do.

Maybe SS should start looking into cases of babies with pierced ears seen as its such terrible abuse.

Best put a complaint in as I was allowed a tattoo underage! Dear god what a bad chav of a mother I have!

I didn't and won't do it but many do. It is legal and often done with a gun which I don't agree with. I'm not anti modification as I have had many piercings, still have my ears and medusa piercings and have tattoos but I will wait until my children want them and can look after them before allowing it.

Ear piercing is hardly the same as circumcision or fgm, if the child doesn't like their pierced ears they can take them out. You can't grow bits of your body back

Damn straight SP! As a social worker I would be happy to discuss cases of real child abuse..not those imagined by individuals with too much time, and not enough to keep them occupied.

If the child isn't old enough to have meaningful input into the decision, it's not old enough to have its ears pierced. It's hardly a medical necessity.

As for "this has been done to death" - well, boo fucking hoo. If you've been on MN since the Internet was steam-powered and seen discussions like this come and go, good for you. Doesn't give you the right to dictate to newer members what they can and can't discuss. Don't read the thread if it bores you that much - go and start a shiny sparkling new one on a topic never before discussed. Good luck with finding one.

Wow there is lots of chav flying around on this thread.

That's the type of rubbish little kids come up with to win an argument. I wish people wouldn't do it.

Well you know Mumsnet, when in doubt shout Chav!

I think there are two ages when a child could have their ears pierced. Either just before secondary when they are old enough to ask and keep up the maintenance.

But I think if you are going to have your ears pierced it is probably better done like the Spanish, at day 1.

But I think I'm right in that you don't see Spanish girls with anything other than studs.

Oh dear,

Will I get flamed for saying in my opinion parents who allow their child to have a dummy after their teeth begin growing are far worse than parents who get their ears peirced.

A small dot ( and facing facts, most girls/ women wear earrings anyway) versus orthodontic damage... Hmmm

CHAV CHAV CHAVITY CHAV!
There you have been properly flamed..
A four year old I know still has dummy...she pops it in and out of mouth to speak..somewhat disturbing.

I think if you consider ear piecing child abuse, then there's a huge problem with perspective.

Hahar thank you cynner :)

They are horrible things. And they cause halitosis in younger children also. Eugh.

(disclaimer: I do realise dummies can be life saving for the first few months as a comforter and to ease the startle reflex)

What? justme I've never heard that about dummies.

My son had one till 5 ...his teeth are perfect.

dummies have benefits, earings don't

Laughing to myself at this thread, I got my dd ears pierced when she was 13 months old and she never even touched them, to this day she doesnt bother with them. And she has a dummy and shes nearly 2, I wont be even trying to take that off her for another year. What a shit mother I am! LMFAO

Katie you didn't?! Omg! How bloody dare you! You have chav written all over you obviously now. I have rang SS expect a visit!

katie I know...

unpopular as it may be here, and I have said it here before now...that many of my friends get their DD's done as babies as there is less risk of infection.

Each to their own.

Ear piecing is nothing to be worked up about.

Well said

don't like the way it looks. my friends little boy had his done, and at nursery he had to wear a blue plaster over it. If your lo doesn't want to wear earrings when older, they will have permanent scars, why would you not let that be their choice? if it became 'fashionable' to pierce a baby's lip, everyone would prob think that horrific, yet 'it only hurts for a minute' and ' looks pretty' ps. circumcision should be outlawed!! the penis is not 'more hygienic' when done for gods sake, that's like cutting off your fanny lips so you can keep clean, it's ridiculous.

This is SO not about circumcision alien

Totally different.