Babies & Toddlers With Pierced Ears

[StarlightLady]

AIBU to suggest that there should be a minimum age for ear piercings on young children, in particular those who are unable to consent?

For the record, I am not anti piercing. I have 3 ear piercings and 3 others. In particular I had my ears pierced when l asked and was old enough to fully understand.

I 100% agree, I hate seeing babies and toddlers with pierced ears, I don't care if it's cultural.

It's a painful, unnecessary, purely aesthetic procedure that a young child cannot consent to, it's not right. Not to mention a choking hazard if they got one out.

Not saying everyone should need to be 21, but pre proper speech is wrong in my opinion. I think 5 minimum.

Imagine chopping something off instead of just cleaning it and then claiming that was the health benefit.

It’s like saying pulling all your teeth out is good for your health because it stops cavities.

Jonathan Creek fan???

I am the OP and have been around on MN for circa 10 years. I don’t care if it’s considered common or chavvy” (not my words), that was not my reason for posting. l care that it hurts babies and young children who are unable to give consent. I don’t care if a 6 year old is pestering mum to have it done. If everything has been explained, l’m cool with that.

l wasn’t going to go there, but aside from 3 ear piercings, l have 3 others which some would consider common. Chosen by me as an adult, along with my tattoo. But that is not the issue. Neither is the colour of someone’s skin.

I personally hate seeing babies and toddlers with them. Mainly because they were done with a gun instead of sterile needle. A piercing gun literally just shoves the earring through the skin with blunt force.

I have multiple facial piercings, nipples, tongue, belly and my daughter is 7 still without her ears done as I want to take her to a professional if she chooses to get them pierced. Piercings should be consensual too.

It caused pain for 2 or 3 mins and maybe half an hour of inflammation when I got it done. No infections.

My DD has numerous piercings and never infected

Most, probably all societies have some cultural practices that are unpalatable to other societies. Whilst you look down on those who pierce young children’s ears, consider the retrograde practice, common in the UK, of keeping animals for personal pleasure and comfort which leads to a lot of animal suffering and contributes significantly to environmental damage.

Keep telling yourself that dear

I’m the same! I genuinely thought I was the only one. Never worn rings, earrings, chains, nothing with the expectation of very chunky beaded necklaces.

Circumcision is also tradition in some cultures, it doesn’t mean it’s ok just because it’s tradition

It shouldn’t be allowed until the owner of the ears is old enough to given informed consent

I don't like it.
And, piercing is not fully reversible - I had my ears pierced as a baby and even years after not wearing any earrings the traces of the holes are still there.

At the same time, it is probably the least bad from all children modifications, for example boys circumcision (without medical indication) is much worse and I don't see anyone being ready to ban just everything and prosecute all jews, muslims and americans taking their boys out of country to get it done.

Thinking about it are earrings really bigger harm than early introduction to a religion? Or, screens? Or, fizzy drinks?

Exactly - my DDs chose to have theirs done at an excellent local piercing place. They won’t do anyone under 10; you have to show ID. How can a younger child give informed consent?

I’ve never had anything pierced at all, and I’m glad I didn’t have it imposed on me when I was too young to choose.

It’s really grim.

I don’t agree with that either. I think it’s an awful thing to do.

Indeed. Just think how much we could reduce cases of breast cancer by routinely cutting off every woman's breasts as soon as she's finished developing.

Also, we could eradicate the vast majority of dementia cases by compulsorily euthanising everybody once they reach the age of 50.

Just saying........

So the end justifies the means ?

Admittedly, it's only men. But it's hard to talk about consent in the same breath.

as soon as she's finished developing.

Why wait ? Consent is hardly an issue here.

Yep.

Oh I couldn’t even tolerate one of those! I can wear a watch, as long as the strap is leather or plastic, but that’s my limit! I’ve never met anyone else like me either, so hi, fellow jewellery hater!

Babies and toddlers with pierced ears look ultra tacky - just like it would be if they were sent out wearing make-up or high heels (fair enough if they're playing dress-up at home; and at least shoes can easily be taken off).

Not to mention the obvious issues of little ones grabbing at their own ears, crawling around and it being clearly needlessly hazardous for them. Imagine being at an age where you're frequently burping up milk and mushy food, and adding earring studs into the mix. Just why?

I don't see any need to wait until 18; but it should be your own informed decision, at an age where you will be conscious of the need (and with the independent capacity) to be mindful of and careful with pierced ears.

In my opinion no child should have their ears pierced until they're at high school age at least.
It looks trashy at best, at worst kids should not have to be dealing with gammy ear infections every few weeks (yes I'm looking at you, certain school mum friend constantly complaining about her 6 year old's pierced ears getting infected constantly).

Unpopular opinion for many I'm sure, but I don't really care.

Think about this argument for a minute.

Half of the "benefits" are absolutely irrelevant in young age, so it could and should absolutely wait for the time when the boy can give consent.
Or not give it, because they can just get vaccinated against HPV which is the main source of the related cancers as well and HIV risks are rather contextual.

The second half isn't a good reason either - if a specific boy in question has issues like phimosis, the practical worst case would be medically indicated circumcision.
So you are promoting a benefit of preventative circumcision to prevent... targeted circumcision?

I completely agree and personally don’t think it looks good on small children.

i never got my daughters ear pierced. I thought that if she wants them done then she can do so at an age she can go herself and wouldn’t need me to consent.

I hope we get a 'shoes on in the house v shoes off in the house' thread next.