Piercing babies ears

[fifi669]

So.... AIBU to think that piercing young children's ears and esp babies is on some level abusive as it's not got any medical reason and only the vanity of the parents?

I'm not saying it's up there with beating etc. But to purposefully put your child through pain, for a cosmetic reason isn't right surely?

missing the point, much?

I Have a lot of Spanish and South American friends, some from Indian background either. They are all loving mothers - I would never tell them they are abusing their babies, mutilating them etc. comparing it FGM - get a grip - for some people it's culturally ingrained. Just as it's the most normal thing for you lot not to do it. Doesn't make you better mothers than those who do.

In Britain, people show great hesitancy in reporting severe abuse to the authorities, and interfering within others' families. Against this background, laws are not going to be enacted to criminalise parents who are responsible enough to clean their baby's ears each day for six weeks.

It doesn't mean ear piercing is right. It means more severe stuff is going on.

House!

A quick google....

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-30731/How-pierced-ears-leave-infants-agony.html

let's just hope they are cleaning ears then!

bling i beg to differ. No matter what reason it's done for, it's still an infant in unnecessary pain.

and religion and culture don't necessarily mean something is morally right.

Aside from the fact that it's unnecessary pain for a poor baby to go through, I think pierced ears looks fucking horrible on babies (excuse the language). I only have a son though, so what do I know?

It doesn't mean ear piercing is right. It means more severe stuff is going on.

^
This. I can't get exercised about a young child with pierced ears who is otherwise loved and well parented when there are thousands out there whose lives are ruined (and often those of any children they may have) by truly abusive/neglectful parents. I know for a fact that one of my children has spent this Christmas in care after a family crisis. Pierced ears are the least of their worries.

Vampyre - I don't agree with it and wouldn't do it but If i lived in Spain or India I probably wouldn't have given t a second thought as you probably wouldn't have either. some of the emotive language used here to have a go at loving mums is just OTT.

well, why don't you agree with it?

I feel for you weelady.
My ears were pierced as a baby, no recollection of course.
In some families it is common, it is a personal preference allowed in a country that exercises freedom of choice. End of.
To all the posters, who have expressed their disgust, when did you get your ears pierced, or do you wear clip ons?
Comparing it to abuse is an astronomical exaggeration, bordering on the ridiculous and condescending to those who have suffered abuse.

My three daughters all have their ears pierced. They like wearing earrings. There are bigger more painful issues to compaign for.

Because I live and was brought up in the UK where it's not really seen in a positive light and as others have said it's not necessary and I had a lot of issues with infections when I had mine done. But, If I lived say in Spain - I would probably think different and have done it no problem. There is a discussion to be had but saying mums are abusive, mutilating their babies etc is just OTT and sounds smug and judgey because then you can think you are superior to mums who do pierce and I will not hunk that way about my friends who have done it.

i don't think it is. Abuse - causing hurt. Piercing ears HURTS! What about that is so bloody hard to understand? No, it's not on the same level as the child abuse that is very rightly illegal and is committed by those who deserve to burn in hell but that does not make it right!

BlingBang Having not grown up within another culture than the one I did, I cannot judge how successfully I would have challenged my hypothetical cultural norms. But I don't think it's fair to assume that all opponents of this are simply displaying anglo cultural hegenomy (if I'm using that term correctly). I have thought about these philosophical issues, and tried to develop my own viewpoints, and i think other people have too.

No (wo)man is an island, but not everyone is simply a robot unthinkingly propagating What They Was Brought Up With.

if you think it's wrong to deliberately hurt a child then I cannot, for the life of me, understand why you see no problem with piercing an infant's ears!

Also, I am a bloody chav...

I believe 'chavtastic' is the 'in' term for it now.

the Big Jessie - agreed, you don't know if you would have stuck to your values unless you have put it to the test. So you very likely would have happily got the paediatrician to pierce your baby girls ears when she was born like the majority of Spanish parents do.

Vampyre - I didn't say I see no problem, I just can't get that judgey and worked up about it when I know these children are loved and cherished. In cultural cases it is generally just an accident of birth as to how you feel about this and what you would do yourself.

i agree that you're right about the crucial difference being loving parents. in some ways that makes it even harder for me to get my head around.

Oh come on, it is just a little pinch. If it is done properly with ice and a needle, it is fine. It is not abuse.

I think DD looks absolutely gorgeous with hers.

it's not just the procedure though, it's the risk of infection or the earrings being tugged out as well.

1. A pinch to you is different for a baby.
2. Risk of infection and being ripped out
3. I'm sure she would be gorgeous without them
4. Why not let them make the decision themselves when they're older. If they want the pain and risks when their older so be it.