Pierced ears

[2sp_]

How old do thing children should be before they get their ears pierced? Is there a law dictating this?

I've just seen one of our client's daughter with her ears pierced- she's all of about 13 months old (I remember her having her first birthday about 5 or 6 weeks ago).

Now, I know that there are a million worse things a parent could do to their child, but this just horrifies me.

Does anyone think it's OK?

[EvianBaby]

I think it's grim, for various reasons. It should only be done when they are really old enough to decide they want it done.

[cazzz1975]

not at 13 months old!

[friedgreentomato]

I was 5 when i had mine done - my sister was 2.

It is said that it is easier to get the childs ears pierced when they are so young as they don't hold any fear.

[2sp_]

I just can't think of a good reason for having it done to such a young child.

[boxtops]

No law, unless you can demonstrate child abuse - but I believe that the child should be old enough not to get the piercings caught up in playground rough and tumble. I think it should be 16 - schools didn't use to permit jewellery, children don't need earrings. Piercing babies looks really tacky.

[McMouse]

I would have preferred pierced ears to circumcision when I was a baby.

[2sp_]

Ouch, McMouse! I can see your point!

It just strikes me as being more for the benefit of the parents than the child.

[ttfn]

Same place, Albert McMouse?

[EvianBaby]

It doesn't even look nice.

[Ric.ror]

My colleague at work had his little girls ears done at quite a young age - months rather than years but they are spanish and I believe it is done at an earlier age there.
I am one of the few women I know not to have pierced ears
Its hard to buy earring though

[friedgreentomato]

Oh I don't know McMouse I'd rather have a bloke missing a bit of skin than one wearing earrings

[Mammar]

No, I wouldn't have done it but it's her baby.
It saves a lot of arguments re jewellery at school if they don't have pierced ears.

[McMouse]

The thought of an Albert has quite unsettled me ftpn.

[2sp_]

I nearly cried when both of my girls had their injections as babies, can't imagine taking them to get their ears pierced at such a young age.

I just can't see why some parents do it?

[ttfn]

Sorry Mc - you did say ears ^

i was only pulling your chain ;)

[mccfluff]

I had mine done when i was 12. I don't think babies should have it done tho

[Smowball]

I would always worry that a child that young would try and pull the earrings out, or catch them.

[funnygirl]

My grandaughter had her done at 2. I myself had mine done when I was sixteen and I can still remember the agony.

[netibiza]

In Spain they do it once they are born, I mean within a day or two, I do not like it either but you get used to seeing it, in fact that's how you can tell the sex of the child.

[boxtops]

A lot of the Asian cultures do it very early too.