Ear Piercing for Infants - Page 5

Sheridan · 11-07-2007, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by mum2caden

Well, while I do see the point in the "owner should decide" fact is, I have never had an issue with the fact that my ears were pierced without my permission, and am in fact quite glad it was done... but also, my husband is circumsized and he doesn't have an issue with that either... so while the argument seems valid, it's not all that realistic.

It's realistic in our house.

Your house I am not so concerned with.

So its all good.

Susan P. · 11-07-2007, 01:32 PM

Sheridan..I have no dispute with your decision regarding piercings however, technically, parents do many 'things' to their children without their permission. Immunisation is one of them (unless of course you - generic 'you' - refuse to immunise). Of course one rationalises these things but the fact remains we sometimes decide to act in ways that cause interventions to our children's bodies - without their permission.

In terms of earrings, obviously with your value stance one would wait until the child decides. BUT, what if your 8 year old insists they want a tattoo? They're giving permission..but will daddy?

I'm being a little tongue in cheek obviously.

mhansen · 11-07-2007, 09:47 PM

I had my ears pierced when I was 10 and I fainted. I let my daughter make the decision to pierce her own ears when she was an older teenager. I personally feel like it's the child's choice not the parents or anyone elses. I know that if my mother did not pierce my ears when I was little I would never have had them pierced.

Phretys · 11-09-2007, 07:55 AM

My mom refused to let me go out and get my ears pierced when I was a kid -- I suffered from all sorts of allergies and she was an infection-phobe. When I was 17 I took a couple of her sewing needles and pierced my own ears.

I considered having my daughter's ears pierced when she was an infant, but then I decided to let her choose for herself when she was older because I knew a few women who were unpierced and preferred to stay that way. She was 7 when she finally asked me to let her get her ears pierced, and the whole procedure wasn't a big deal other than the kidlet being excited about getting some purty earrings. She was good at keeping her earlobes and earrings cleaned every night for six months, but was relieved to quit the cleaning routine once the holes were permanent.

My brother and his wife had their first daughter's ears pierced as a baby, but there were problems mostly with the earrings falling out and getting lost, and the holes eventually closed up. They didn't bother with their second daughter.

Debi

Sheridan · 11-09-2007, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Susan P.

Sheridan..I have no dispute with your decision regarding piercings however, technically, parents do many 'things' to their children without their permission. Immunisation is one of them (unless of course you - generic 'you' - refuse to immunise). Of course one rationalises these things but the fact remains we sometimes decide to act in ways that cause interventions to our children's bodies - without their permission.

In terms of earrings, obviously with your value stance one would wait until the child decides. BUT, what if your 8 year old insists they want a tattoo? They're giving permission..but will daddy?

I'm being a little tongue in cheek obviously.

Agreed. We do things sometimes without their permission. I prefer to make sure these things are not purely cosmetic, because I don't feel a sense of ownership over my child. I am here to guide him, nourish him and love him, but he is on his own journey.

Besides which, I make beautiful babies, they need no extra adornment.

Some other people's kids might need that liddle bit of extra cuteness.

*wink*

Knitting_Guy · 11-10-2007, 04:05 AM

Ugly children should be dressed up in some fashion or other even if it means punching holes in them.

Seriously though, this is one of those personal values topics where everyone has their own opinion about it ( kinda like a certain anatomical part). It's your kid, if you think punching holes in them is the right thing to do, go for it. It's nobody else's business and the kid will get over it.

cookworm · 11-10-2007, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by knitgal

they kept getting infected and I was very sensitve to metal, so I could only wear gold earrings.

I have mixed feelings on this topic, so I won't comment.

But I thought it might be helpful to point out to those that currently suffer or have suffered from pain and/or infections with their piercings, you may have an allergy or sensitivity to nickel...I do. Most of the time, if I wear nickel-free earrings, I'm okay (but even now sometimes, I'll get a pair that bug me--even some gold earrings bother me). My older daughter also has a nickel sensitivity so she wears the nickel-free earrings, and although I don't know if my younger daughter has the sensitivity or not, I bought her nickel-free ones anyway just to be safe.

scout52 · 11-10-2007, 09:45 AM

not to get off topic but cookwork you're a twin? i'm a twin. are you identical? or fraternal? everyone always considered me the mean twin.

StefannyJo · 11-11-2007, 02:26 AM

I haven't read through all the posts. BUT in response to the doctor posts.... My mom waited until I was 15 so I could have a choice, but then made me get them because I had always wanted them (By that time I didn't want them) ANYWAY, she couldn't find a doctor to do them, they told her to bring me to the mall. I don't know when y'all got them done at a doctor, but 14 years ago they wouldn't do them, not even a dermatologist.

IMHO, I have 2 daughters, 2 and 3 and their ears are not pierced. I will get them done, but I had enough to take care of with a newborn, I didn't feel like I needed another item to make sure didn't get infected.

jodstr2 · 11-11-2007, 04:37 AM

I reeeeeally really really wanted my ears pierced as far back as I can remember. I fought with my parents from time to time while growing up, but they refused. no real reason was given that I can remember, it was just "no!". finally when I was 16 we got into this huge argument and I won. I got them pierced at a jewelry store the next day. befroe I was 19, I pierced them myself 6 more times (4 in the right and 2 in the left) with the piercing studs soaked in rubbing alcohol, and ice to numb the lobes. my dad gave my mom a hard time - "see what happens 'cuz we refused to let her do it?"

in all seriousness tho I just really wanted multiple holes to wear teeny earrings in all the time. I'm going on 37 yrs old now and have always worn earrings in all 8.

would I pierce my daughter's ears (if I had a daughter)? idk. honestly little earrings on little girls are really cute, to me, but... idk.