Would you allow your 12 year old to have acrylic nails?

[Icantremembermyusername]

Just that, really?
Am I being mean?
DD - Can I have my nails done?
Me -yes, we’ll have a manicure during the holidays.
DD - No, I meant can I go to X place and have acrylic nails FOR MY BIRTHDAY
Me - No. I’ve already organised your (very expensive) birthday present (and those from both sets of grandparents and your extended relatives) and agreed to pay for a movie night with your mates plus a pre agreed day out with your best mate. We can maybe have a manicure at a salon (no acrylics) later in the hols.
DD - massive sulk and went to bed.
i feel like she’s taking the absolute piss!
Aibu? Yes - she should have the nails. No - she’s being a brat.
Thank you!

Nope, I might let my DD have gel for holiday but she can prat about with press on nails for a while yet. Quite apart from how I don’t like the look on young girls I think they should suffer with the crap version of stuff when young as it makes them more likely to get a Saturday job and work hard at school if they want expensive things.

No. They hurt like a bitch when they get ripped off. They also damage the nails and you can get infections if they use nail guns.

I used to get them and they destroyed my nail beds and once ripped my nail out of the meat. It was horrific.

She's too young. Most salons I know have a 16 age limit anyway.

@Soontobe60 you're allergic to BIAB if that's happened

I am a teenager and I do use long acrylic and gel nails. I started with short gel nails when I was around 10 years old. I think she should be able to start with short peel-n-stick nails, but you are not being unreasonable because the behavior portrayed was very bratty and immature. As long as her behavior is fixed in time for Christmas I think there should be no problem with you letting her get nails. Please show this to your daughter because maybe she will listen if it comes from someone closer to her age group. Ps I will show you guys my nails to prove.

Just out of interest, why are people objecting to this? Are acrylics dangerous? I don’t get my nails done personally because I can’t stand people touching my hands but I’m wondering why there is an age limit? Or is it just that people don’t think kids should be concerned with their nails at such a young age? (Surely in that case all nail polish would be bad?)

It's going to be different for each person or parent.

I think the reasons people don't want their kids getting them done is potential damage to the nail underneath (I've never seen any of note and like hair, they grow out so I don't see the concern) and also the image of people that have their nails done and what that means for their young child but I can't speak for anyone.