to wonder why on earth you'd pierce a 6 month old's ears?

[darentinas]

Was in a shop today browsing with dd and suddenly heard the most agonising screams coming from the front of the shop, turned round and saw one of the shop assistants piercing a baby girl's ears. Poor little thing was in agony. Overheard her asking the mother how old the little girl was and she said six months. There then followed a list of instructions from the shop assistant on what to do if the baby got an infection from the piercing.

I can't believe someone would willingly inflict that sort of pain on a tiny baby, just so they can wear ear rings. My mum had my ears pierced when I was only 4 and I thought that was too young.

Am I missing something here?

I think it's pretty.

And when they are so little they only yell for a few minutes, then it's all over and forgotten.

Notmyname - tell me more. I am curious. What do we British do that is considered child abuse abroad?

I am guessing at starting school at 4.

Any others?

Genuinely interested ...

Notmyname, I'm intrigued by that too.

I think it is nasty, babys with bling is just wrong

I was wondering if the unofficial MN police post the 'this has been done before' message on every thread that has happened to be duplicated. MN owes its very existence to growth, like any business, and I would not expect new members to trawl the archives just to see if a topic has been done before. Maybe a new MNetter would have a different take on the subject. Fair enough -it may have been done to death previously and all possible opinions broadcast but if people want to post who have not done so before what is the problem? It is not obligatory to open every topic that gets posted -if you are bored with a topic that has been done before just ignore it and let the newbies work it out amongst themselves.

can i bow say it's just like circumcision/mutilation or has that one gone?

Was the said baby also wearing Playboy clothing too???
And possibly make-up?

but relief at SOH's first post.
skimmed rest of thread.

Well seens as the rest has gone..

My Teea Marieeeaaa. (wrong spelling SOH ) looks beeautiful with her piercing, and get this, dp recently stole aquired a tattoo needle fing and we iz gonna give her a tat, any ideas anyone?

I had my ears pierced as a baby. Yes, it is part of our culture, and I think you're all racist.

..biatches are out in force I see..because you dont do it it must be wrong..get over it ladies not everyone follows your rules..both my girls are pierced no big deal in my culture

Chippy47 - agree totally. It's such a shame that newer posters to MN are met with this. So what if threads are repeated? Surely people are joining Mumsnet all the time? Things are bound to get unintentionally recycled from time to time.

A new poster is hardly likely to search through the archives to see if something's been done previously before posting anything.

If you're bored of it, don't read it. Don't comment on it, comment on something else instead.

Could almost put one off posting.

Biatches because we think that inflicting unnecessary pain on a small child who has no say in the matter is cruel and that culture is a crap excuse for it? Hmm, good then Is it no big deal to stick a needle in your baby? If I came along and stabbed your child in the arm just for the hell of it, is that no big deal? Culture my arse. Most things I am willing to accept but that is a load of old hooey.

Actually, don't bother replying to that. I can't be bothered, I'd rather clean the kitchen floor.

LOL @ from time to time, this a practically weekly thread!

SOHs post was just some advice, people are free to ignore it you know, no guns will come flying out the monitor if you do, you know!

I dont think its anyones business if I'm honest..the pain is what 1 minute?..when my DDs were pierced 1 didn't even cry???and the other cried for about 1 minute..hardly the 'unnecessary infliction of pain hoo-hah you speak of'..if you came along and stabbed my child in the arm you would be arrested its a needle not a knife..because you do not understand something it must be wrong right?..I dont understand mothers who send their children away to school..must be wrong right?...I dont understand parents who have someone care for their children more than they do...must be wrong..because thats how i feel?.grow up..people come from different cultures because you choose not to accept something does not change the fact it will happen and people feel differently to you..I was able to care for my childs ears so they were not infected and now they wear earrings..get over it..

Its quite boring tho ..for the 5 millionth time ..............................................................

Actually culture does play a big part. In the UK - yes it is tacky and crap. But FFS many cultures see it as completely the norm(I still dont like it) and if you were born into that culture there is a good chance you would do the same thing - to say otherwise is sticking your head in the sand. As I said I don't like or agree with it but put yourself in someone elses shoes where it is expected and not seen as cruel,chav, cheap or whatever - or do you have that sort of imagination and lack of arrogance?

As it happens I saw similar aged baby on mummy's knee while passing a Claires today - wonder how the staff feel about doing it?
I'm a fan of piercing for myself, though I've always known I would not pierce a DD's ears, but I was surprised how badly I felt when I saw this wee one today.

Is this a clarse ishoo?

Odd how you are not allowed to smack your child but you are allowed to put permanent holes in their ears, thus causing more pain!

I don't get it.

I think it's an important ritual and should be allowed to continue. How else are teachers supposed to recognise future McDonalds employees without these handy signs? They'd only be clogging up classes meant for future readers and thinkers otherwise.

Pierce away, say I...

Unnecessary pain and unnecessary risk for the sake of vanity. YANBU, OP.

I am also interested to know what we do that other cultures would see as abuse.