Ear piercing in infants- how is this still legal in the uk? Lets campaign!

[YummyorSlummy]

After seeing another thread in which a lot of posters commented on their disbelief that the practice of piercing ears in infants is perfectly legal in the UK,I thought I should post about it here to gauge interest.

Why are people allowed to put holes in their babies ears in this country for the sake of vanity, without that child being able to give their consent?

Is it not wrong to put a very small child through the pain of this procedure, for something that is so unneccessary? (sp) it is near enough illegal to smack a child in this country, so why is this allowed?

I really think there should be an age restriction for ear piercing in children, and can't believe it's legal and that anyone can just go to Claire's Accesories and have holes put in a baby's ears.

I don't like it - I think it's dangerous, but it's the norm in a lot of countries and I don't think the actual proceedure is that bad, no worse than getting vaccines.

It's certainly wouldn't be my choice and I'd be happier if it wasn't done.

But in the scheme of things there are far bigger fish to fry if you want to campaign over something - especially right now.

I'd agree with ChippingIn. It's not my choice and I don't like to see it done to children who haven't asked to have it done, and had a chance to consider the fact that it hurts and could get sore.

But it's a small concern overall and not one I can get worked up over.

And Claire's Accessories at least does it properly, quickly and provides advice, cleaning solutions etc. If you are going to have it done at all, I reckon that's the place to go.

I disagree completely and gladly join your campaign!

Vaccinations / heel prick tests etc are things we don't enjoy watching our children endure, but there is a point to them, and can be life-saving.

Piercing children's ears is using them like dolls, making a fashion and a lifestyle choice for them in which they have no say.

FFS. Keep the government away from the decisions I make about my children that don't actually hurt them and hurt no one else.

Not everything is worth the power of MN. What a waste of time this would be.

I agree with Chipping In too. Wouldn't be my choice, but it is a cultural thing for some people. There has to be a certain level of personal freedom and discretion in this world, we can't just make illegal what a certain portion of the population don't agree with!

How would you then justify circumcision being legal?

ChippingIn's said it all really.

I find it extraordinary and would obviously never do it but have to agree with the personal freedom point. The idea of a campaign against infant piercing gives me the creeps TBH

But if does hurt them.

Plus IMO circumcision shouldn't be legal.

Neither of these practices are very civilised and things should change.

Meh. That's what I think.
It's easier to keep them clean early on. Not that I would do it, but I can see the attraction. I got mine pierced when I was 13 and got loads of infections because I was crap at keeping them clean while they healed.

Sorry, that is your reason for putting a baby, (who, when grown may well not want them done anyway,) through such a sudden, terrifying, painful experience which you cannot warn them of nor explain???

Clutching at straws comes to mind.

what chipping said

Oh sorry, I forgot I'm not allowed an alternative point of view. If you'd gone through what I had when I had mine done you'd see it as an option.

Bloody he'll. A campaign!!!?

You can't campaign over every little thing because you find it wrong!

My dd doesnt have her ears pierced and probably wont do until about ten at the earliest now, I dont like it (I do think it looks a bit, cheap and chavy, def not my taste)

But I would not want it made illegal, that just seems silly to me and I agree with other posters that I dont need any more of the government telling me how to raise my child

i personally don't agree with anything that takes away the choice of the child who is ultimately a person and when ready will naturally ask for their ears pierced, so i wouldnt pierce a childs ears who is too young to consent to it. also feels the same for circumcision like others have said.

but i'm not sure making it illegal or age restricted would be right either, because they will probably get it done anyway eventually, some parents might want to just get it out of the way and age restriction takes away the parents choice-which could lead to them doing it themselves maybe. and circumcision often comes under religion, not much can be done about that esp in other countries. but yeah i think its all unfair to make those choices on their behalf. its a contraversial one.

I don't like it, and I'd prefer that people didn't choose to do it. But I don't think it is such a terrible thing that it ought to be made illegal. And I certainly wouldn't support a campaign against it.

What a terrible idea for a campaign. This is a wind up right?

With all the serious issues in the world, you're fussing about this insignificant thing?

Absolutely none of the business of anyone outside the child's family.

If there is any issue at all then it is about tolerance in our society, maybe also people's lack of education about culture, class...

This thread is a few months old. I think it was abandoned tbh.

to be fair, it's legal to allow a child to have part of his penis cut off without any kind of pain relief.

so i doubt you'd get far with this

Personally I feel there should be an age restriction, just as there is with tattoos. I remember getting mine pierced when I was very young and didn't know what I was doing - it hurt so much at that age! It's a personal thing and it should be something we choose for ourselves, when we're old enough to understand.

When I see little babies with their ears pierced... :s