Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Boys and ear piercings

165 replies

earspiercedornot · 16/09/2023 09:40

My son aged 8 would like his ears pierced and has asked for it a lot over the last year. Im unsure. Do boys get them done? Is it both or just one?? I would rather he didnt (as hes a boy and im worried about bullying) but he really wants too! Help

OP posts:
Simonjt · 16/09/2023 13:42

Bouncyball23 · 16/09/2023 13:32

What looking after does it need that an 8 year old can't do?
Even at teen age a parent would double check its been bathed an turned so what's the difference?

Show quote history

They shouldn’t be turning a piercing unless it is fully healed.

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 16/09/2023 13:45

Bouncyball23 · 16/09/2023 13:32

What looking after does it need that an 8 year old can't do?
Even at teen age a parent would double check its been bathed an turned so what's the difference?

Show quote history

Turning piercings is about the worst thing you can do for them.

Unless you're cleaning them (which should only be twice a day with saline solution), you should leave them well alone while they're healing. Turning and prodding them just delays healing and increases the risk of infection.

Wildthingsrevenge · 16/09/2023 13:48

Check your school rules and also swimming rules. At school swimming at our school earrings have to be removed.

Leab23 · 16/09/2023 13:51

If he's aware of the aftercare and you want to grant him the responsibility of deciding something like this for himself then I'd say go for it. But definitely educate him on the process and find a piercing shop that is good with doing kids ears and has good reviews and practice. Whether he wants one, two, two on one ear... it doesn't really matter - he's trying to express himself! If he's confident in who he is I'm sure he could handle any comments from peers.

But until he is 16 it isyoir choice.

JasperTheDoll · 16/09/2023 13:54

Honestly the snobbery and perfect parent attitude towards piercings on here blows my mind. In what world is an 8 year old not enough to wash their hands then spray saline solution onto their ears twice a day? That's all the looking after a healing piercing needs.

Ienjoyedthebarbiemovie · 16/09/2023 13:55

I don’t see the problem. As long as they are looked after and cleaned. Is he responsible enough to do this every day?

he can always take them out. I took my daughter to hsamuels. They didn’t use a gun like they do on some places

ConsuelaHammock · 16/09/2023 13:59

When I was young it was only the ‘rough ‘boys who got their ears pierced. Is there still a social /class divide? I can’t imagine Alexander or Hugo with pierced ears but somehow it fits for Jayden or Tyler. I realise this is snobbery but I can’t be the only person who thinks like this. I think it’s less of a class thing when they’re older and/or at university etc

dearanon · 16/09/2023 14:06

Dd had them done at 3. Ds wants his done but I'm trying to tie it in with school holidays for healing but places book up quick.

Beezknees · 16/09/2023 14:08

ConsuelaHammock · 16/09/2023 13:59

When I was young it was only the ‘rough ‘boys who got their ears pierced. Is there still a social /class divide? I can’t imagine Alexander or Hugo with pierced ears but somehow it fits for Jayden or Tyler. I realise this is snobbery but I can’t be the only person who thinks like this. I think it’s less of a class thing when they’re older and/or at university etc

But it's attitudes that need to change. I wouldn't give a toss if someone thought DS was "rough" for having ear piercings. I don't need to impress anybody and I'd pity an adult who was so insecure that they'd call a child "rough."

dearanon · 16/09/2023 14:09

ConsuelaHammock · 16/09/2023 13:59

When I was young it was only the ‘rough ‘boys who got their ears pierced. Is there still a social /class divide? I can’t imagine Alexander or Hugo with pierced ears but somehow it fits for Jayden or Tyler. I realise this is snobbery but I can’t be the only person who thinks like this. I think it’s less of a class thing when they’re older and/or at university etc

You need to change your attitude towards it. How snobbish.

towriteyoumustlive · 16/09/2023 14:10

I can't see what gender has to do with it? If he wants them pierced and you're OK with it then let him get then done.

He will need to be able to potentially take then in and out for PE at school.

Caterpillarsleftfoot · 16/09/2023 14:12

It's usually one ear for a boy, the left one. It was considered a bit "rough" when I was growing up, a boy with a pierced ear, but these days anything goes.

i actually think most people still think it's quite a working class thing for boys to have pierced ears. I think it has a particular image with it. If that's your thing then great, bit if not be aware that it does look a bit rough.

GuardiansPlayList · 16/09/2023 14:12

My daughters had to wait until the summer holiday between end of primary and start of secondary. My boys will have to do the same if they want their ears pierced.

Simonjt · 16/09/2023 14:13

ConsuelaHammock · 16/09/2023 13:59

When I was young it was only the ‘rough ‘boys who got their ears pierced. Is there still a social /class divide? I can’t imagine Alexander or Hugo with pierced ears but somehow it fits for Jayden or Tyler. I realise this is snobbery but I can’t be the only person who thinks like this. I think it’s less of a class thing when they’re older and/or at university etc

All those rough hindu lads with their ears pierced

Beezknees · 16/09/2023 14:13

Caterpillarsleftfoot · 16/09/2023 14:12

It's usually one ear for a boy, the left one. It was considered a bit "rough" when I was growing up, a boy with a pierced ear, but these days anything goes.

i actually think most people still think it's quite a working class thing for boys to have pierced ears. I think it has a particular image with it. If that's your thing then great, bit if not be aware that it does look a bit rough.

So you think working class people are rough?

Scruffington · 16/09/2023 14:14

Beezknees · 16/09/2023 14:13

So you think working class people are rough?

Show quote history

that was what I took from the post

viques · 16/09/2023 14:14

earspiercedornot · 16/09/2023 11:08

I think im going to say yes you know. His left ear only at this point. See how he goes. Thanks all 👍😊

In that case say yes he can have the piercing but he needs to wait until next summer holiday, because they have just gone back to school and things like swimming and pe might be tricky while he heals so beginning of the summer holidays next year would be better and secondly , it gives you some cooling off time. He could well have changed his mind by then.

Beezknees · 16/09/2023 14:16

It's interesting how people seem to think that "rough working class" people should change to fit THEIR ideals and not that they should maybe change their snobbish perceptions.

MartyFunkhouser · 16/09/2023 14:20

8? That would be awful.

I know chavvy is frowned upon as a term in here, but…

Ilinaya · 16/09/2023 14:21

Christ, my 7 year old is still playing with playmobil and superheroes, I can't imagine him asking for this in a years time!

Lucyccfc68 · 16/09/2023 14:27

No judgement from me about a 8 year old boy having an ear pierced. You are his Mum, so it’s up to you, regardless of what others say on here.

Just one thing to consider. Does he play any sport like football or rugby?

If he does, then get it done at the end of the season, so that the ears have time to heal. I can’t necessarily speak for rugby, but earrings have to be removed for football (no sticking tape over them).

*Before someone comes along and says ‘my son plays football and always sticks tape over his earring’ take a look at the laws of the game. Law 4 players equipment, specifically says no jewellery and no tape, over jewellery. My son is a referee and makes all players, regardless of their age or sex remove all jewellery.

imnotwhoyouthinkiam · 16/09/2023 14:35

Ds1 asked when he was about 8. I told him he had to wait until the end of primary school. He changed his mind. Turned out it was something to do with his Dad and his step-brother.

He decided again at 18 that he wanted it done. He got a lobe piercing and a helix done at the same time. In his right ear. It looks cool. He used to have a unicorn earring, but wears a heart one at the moment.

ConsuelaHammock · 16/09/2023 14:44

Simonjt · 16/09/2023 14:13

All those rough hindu lads with their ears pierced

Show quote history

I don’t live in India so I’m not sure why the customs of another country are relevant.
It is still viewed as being ‘rough ‘ for want of a better word in many areas of the Uk.
People can do what they want and if my son wants his ears pierced when he’s older then that’s up to him.
Incidentally, he arrived home a few months ago with a chain. I did laugh but he likes it so I didn’t say anything after my initial shock. Doesn’t stop me thinking it’s a bit chavy.

ConsuelaHammock · 16/09/2023 14:45

dearanon · 16/09/2023 14:09

You need to change your attitude towards it. How snobbish.

Show quote history

I am being snobby, I agree. Difficult to change how you’ve been brought up!

Moveoverdarlin · 16/09/2023 14:48

If someone paid me 10 grand I wouldn’t let my son have his ear/s pierced. I just hate the look.

Back in the noughties a friend’s 9 year old son had a diamond stud in his ear when Beckham was all the rage and it just looked awful.