Boys and ear piercings

[earspiercedornot]

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

People are tribal and certain looks have certain connotations. I don't think anyone should change to fit in with my 'tribe' but nor am I going to be ashamed of not wanting my kids to have a certain look.

what's your look?

I would let him. My DD has had hers pierced since she was young and they have never caused any issues. I figure there are worse things they could ask for/want. Plus if he doesn’t want it anymore it will just close up esp at his age.

Are you not aware that Hindus exist outside of the india, and that it isn’t an Indian custom, as Hindu is a religion, not a country.

Around 12 is when I'd let a child (of either sex) get their ears pierced.

Right now I am wearing wide black heavyweight cotton trousers and a slim white t shirt with black lines on it. I have various ear piercings.

Bog standard MC early middle aged woman...completely comfortable with the fact that some people will like it and some people wouldn't be seen dead in it

See, I let my DS dress how he wants to, as it's his body and his choice.

Well if the child in question is Hindu then crack on. It looks a bit rough on those with British ancestry. Personally I don’t care what other parents do but it’s not a look I would permit my son to have at 8. I’d talk him out of it until he’s legally old enough to do it himself.

Personally I think 8 is too young for a child, see how he feels in a couple of years and if he still wants it done let him.

Well There you go then hardly any aftercare at all drop of cleaning solution morning an night done.

My daughter had her ears pierced at 7. School made her remkve studs for PE ans she couldn't get then back in herself. So the hole would be closing over by the time she got home.

Don't do it until they can't take them in and out themselves for PE.

Mine too! Can't imagine where he got the idea from or who he hangs out with. I really haven't seen many boys with piercings recently. I do think it's rough and tacky still.

Thanks everyone for a great discussion on this. I took him earlier today. He was nervous said his tummy hurt but he equally excited to do it. I told him that anytime he wanted to change his mind he could, just let me know. He looks very cool and he loves it 🤩

DS had both ears done age 9.

This year age 15 he took them out as apparently "it's not that cool anymore"

🤷🏻‍♀️

‘Looks very cool’ 😂 is this a wind-up?

No…why? He does. Hes a cool kid and can rock it 😎🤷🏻‍♀️

Children don’t look cool with piercings. Ditto skin fades or Nike ticks shaved into their hair. Like it or not, MASSES of people will make assumptions about children (totally unfair on the children but there we are).

Whatever 🙄

So do you not think that the ADULTS should stop being so bloody snobby and judgemental about children? Or should we just accept that it's fine to call CHILDREN rough and chavvy?

Honestly. I can't bear this type of attitude. So called adults who are so stuck in their ways that they can't possibly open their minds a tiny bit.

Let's pretend this conversation is about women and people saying stereotypical things about women. Mumsnetters would be up in arms about that. But the so called "working classes" are fair game for the superior mumsnetters.

Look OP, I’m sorry. What I said was harsh. But you asked what people thought and plenty of people said no, it looks “rough” or whatever. The reality is that for LOADS of people, it really does.

I have sons and cannot imagine them asking for an ear piercing at 8 (they’re now older). None of their friends have piercings, it’s not something they’d see at school in primary - other than a small handful of girls. Even for the girls, most wait till 12 or older because of practical/aesthetic reasons.

Of course it shouldn’t matter, but for loads of people they will make a snap judgement. I wouldn’t think less of your son but I would probably wonder what he’s watching/who he’s spending time with for it to even be something he’d ask for. For most parents at our school it would mark a child out as being “other” and yes, from a slightly rough/uneducated background.

Age 18 with piercings? No one really bats an eyelid. But 8 is still such a young child. So people will understand it’s been done with absolutely 100% parental consent and support and THAT’S what lots of parents will find odd.

@Beezknees I go out of my way not to judge children and to try to see past appearance. But A LOT of people will make judgements. I can’t do anything about people judging my own children for being extremely tall/short/blond/dark/whatever. But I can dress them appropriately when they’re at primary school and not lumber them with adornments that LOTS of people would judge them (and me) for.

Wow! I'm so glad my children don't go to your school as it sounds like all the parents there are stuck up, snobby bitches

They're not actually. And “stuck up, snobby bitches” make me really glad you’re not there too. Hurrah for us both.

Just to point out, id class myself as middle class, i work, drive a merc and live in an expensive village and my son goes to school there. He doesnt have a shaved head. Not that any of that should matter. Sorry we dont fit the stereotype that some of you must think of us! Some of you are so judgemental with your “chavvy” comments 😂