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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

This Morning - Kids having ears pierced is child abuse ?

275 replies

daffodillament · 08/05/2018 11:52

What utter nonsense. Just tuned in as heard them mention this subject stemmed from Mumsnet ! Now the woman is saying Kids ear piercing is basicly the same as FGM !! I mean WTF ? Get a grip. No it not !

OP posts:
Original poster
daffodillament · 08/05/2018 11:53

No it IS not. Raging at the ridiculousness of the convo.

OP posts:
Emma198 · 08/05/2018 11:54

How silly. I don't understand why people do it before the child is old enough to make their own decision but don't believe it's abuse!

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 08/05/2018 11:55

It's not the same as FGM obvs, but it is pretty abusive to make holes in your child because you think it looks pretty.

agedknees · 08/05/2018 11:56

It’s not the same as FGM, but who would want to unnecessarily hurt their child. I hate seeing toddlers with pierced ears.

Original poster
daffodillament · 08/05/2018 11:58

Yes..as soon as kids are ready to make the decision for themselves but it's in no way abusive.

OP posts:
Osopolar · 08/05/2018 11:59

It's not the same as FGM at all but I don't agree with children who aren't old enough to decide for themselves having their ears pierced and I do think it should be illegal below secondary school age.

Raggs · 08/05/2018 12:00

I've known lots of sensible loving people who have had babies/toddlers ears pierced. I can't fathom it myself but not sure I could call it abuse as it could be minimising other abuse.

When I think about it though it does make me angry that a child should endure pain, however short term, to look 'pretty'.

I definitely judge when young children have their ears pierced.

Figgygal · 08/05/2018 12:00

Obviously not the same but neither does it give the child any choice and is unnecessary

gillybeanz · 08/05/2018 12:01

It's not abuse, but I hate seeing small children and babies hurt like this, for no good reason.
I think it's fine when they are older, maybe about 11 or so.

redannie118 · 08/05/2018 12:02

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

FaFoutis · 08/05/2018 12:03

It's not the same thing but it is on the same spectrum.

Battleax · 08/05/2018 12:03

Yes..as soon as kids are ready to make the decision for themselves but it's in no way abusive.

Hurting someone without their consent for decorative purposes?

It’s arguable.

Soubriquet · 08/05/2018 12:04

How long before someone mentions it's a culture tradition so that's ok?

I don't agree with babies and young toddlers having pierced ears. Too easy to get them ripped out or infected

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 08/05/2018 12:04

I nearly started this thread. I know ear piercing for babies is contentious but I cannot believe that woman was so crass as to compare it to FGM.
Felt sorry for the other woman - she wasn't the most articulate, but there really is no arguing with someone that stupid.

MollyDaydream · 08/05/2018 12:04

It's not the same as fgm, but hurting a child to fulfil your own wants/vanity does kind of sound like abuse..?

Soubriquet · 08/05/2018 12:05

Oh and yes definitely not comparable to FGM

JacquesHammer · 08/05/2018 12:05

I tend to agree that it’s a strange decision to put holes in a small child.

However to liken it to FGM is pretty ridiculous and actually does a major disservice to victims of FGM

Shootfirstaskquestionslater · 08/05/2018 12:06

That's not abuse at all I do judge when I see babies and toddlers with pierced ears what if when they are older they don't want their ears pierced. Things like ear piercing are better done when the child is old enough to ask and fully understand what they are asking for not when they are a baby and it gets done because the parents want it doing.

ICantCopeAnymore · 08/05/2018 12:06

It's not the same as FGM but of course it's abusive. Punching holes in a baby without consent? Causing pain for cosmetic purpose.

Abuse.

starbursts · 08/05/2018 12:06

It's not the same as FGM, but if you punched holes in any other part of your baby or child I'm pretty sure it'd be called abusive - why is it different because it's ears?

Not a chance in hell I'd be doing it until they're old enough to consent to it and know what that means.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 08/05/2018 12:07

I don't agree with piercing babies ears but thay woman said children should be at least 10 years old, as if a child cannot know their own mind or have an opinion before that age. That is very much out of touch with all the kids I know.

Ohmydayslove · 08/05/2018 12:07

I think all piercing of anything should be banned under 16 really so it’s the persons choice.

Obviously it’s nothing like FGM or circumcision (for non medical reasons) but I do judge people having toddlers abs babies ears pierced. Why would you

CabbagePatch91 · 08/05/2018 12:08

What's FGM?

Pinga · 08/05/2018 12:08

Not at all the same as FGM but yes I would agree its borderline abusive. I think it should be reserved for children aged 10+ personally.

JacquesHammer · 08/05/2018 12:08

What's FGM?

Female Genital Mutilation

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