Should young children have their ears peirced?

[-Moniquee.]

I don't agree with children getting their ears pierced at a young age. I think this is a decision the child should make when they are old enough to make responsible decisions. Parents shouldn't be putting their children through the pain at a young age.

[Daltron]

I didn't know this was so controversial, I remember LOADS of chicks during primary school having their ears done. Hmm

[Gina]

I didn't know this was so controversial, I remember LOADS of chicks during primary school having their ears done. Hmm

yeah same here om,
i had mine done when i was 6 i thinkk about 3 months ago or something we had a convo bout this in the girls changing rooms before p.e and most of the girls had their ears pierced and most of them had them done aged 7 or younger
idk i see why people arent happy with it but i dont think its that bad
i agree with jen really like i think its okay if the person asks for them and it isnt just the parent making them have it done because it looks cute and again the holes can always close up if they arent happy with the outcome
i didnt realise how many people disagree with it though om

[karter]

a lot of girls get their ears pierced here when they're under 10
i dont see how its a problem like in some cultures ear piercing is actually tradition and if someone thinks they'll look prettier with them then they can do it??

[GommeInc]

Hard topic to debate really. There's little harm and risk if done at a licensed place. I personally wouldn't have seen myself having it done as a child and certainly wouldn't see myself having it done now or in the future. If parents are fine with it, then it should be okay. As long as the parent isn't forcing their child to have it done, which I believe may be against some sort of law (statute/common) as it's a form of mutilation if you've not consented in the same way as forcing a child to being circumcised - but that's a whole darker area

a lot of girls get their ears pierced here when they're under 10
i dont see how its a problem like in some cultures ear piercing is actually tradition and if someone thinks they'll look prettier with them then they can do it??

Agreed, I believe even India traditionally allows children to have piercings at quite a young age. I don't know much about the fashion but the piece which goes from the nose to the ear as a chain comes to mind. There's no risk or harm. Only problem I see is if the child outright refuses or has some sort of condition - immunity, skin condition etc.

[Red]

No I don't like it. They would have to be old enough to make the decision for themselves. I think I was like 7-8 when I got mine done.

[Mikey]

No it shouldn't happen at a young age, I think it should be allowed at 12-13 years old.

[Jurv]

they should be left to make the decision themselves when they're older

i never understood why parents made their child get their ears pierced like why would they need them anyway

[Empired]

No they shouldn't. I know that it's really easy to get piercings infected in the first few weeks after having them done and small children just can't look after them properly. They'll twiddle the earrings, other children will want to see/touch, and I highly they would sanitise them properly. It's just too big a risk of infection in my opinion.

Edit: oh looking at other comments, I was talking about 2-3 year olds. Once you get into Year 5 or so of school you should be able to look after them no problem.

[Charz777]

I had my first set done when I was 10 and I was really scared but I chose to do it. And then I wished my parents had done it when I was young so I'd have it done and not remember the pain. It's not that horrendous though, I had my second set done when I was 14.

I won't be taking my children to get their ears pierced until they choose to (if they choose to). I'm more worried about them getting infections as their bodies are young with weaker immune systems or them getting the studs caught and tearing their ear lobe when they are playing. I think if my child chose to have it done, I still wouldn't let them until they are about 8 years old.