Ear-Piercing Parties ... for 6-Year-Olds

Ear-Piercing Parties ... for 6-Year-Olds

Thursday, June 25, 2009

filed under: family

This new trend is disturbing to one mom.

Meanest Mom Jana Matthews: A few days ago, my six-year-old daughter received an invitation in the mail to a friend's birthday party. The party is being held at a children's hair salon in town. After being educated in the art of prepubescent hairstyling, each of the party guests will be treated to a beauty treatment of her choice: a manicure, a pedicure, a classy "up-do," or a free ear piercing. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a box labeled "tattoo," because I would have checked it.

Question # 1: Who throws an ear-piercing party for six-year-olds?!!

"Mani, pedi, or hairdo?" I asked my daughter, pencil in hand.

"I want my ears pierced!" she cried. The panic rose in her throat as she realized that my omission of her desired choice was not by accident.

I reminded my daughter of our agreement: she could get her ears pierced when she was eight. This proved to be small consolation to a six-year-old with a penchant for glittery hoops.

A few days later, I was telling this story to my friend when she broke me off mid-sentence. "You're not seriously thinking about letting your daughter get her ears pierced anytime soon, are you?" she asked.

That's when I heard about nasty infections, imbedded studs, earrings that rip through ear lobes, and a host of other problems endemic to pint-sized pierced ears. To be honest, I had never thought about the "proper age" to get one's ears pierced, but the more friends I spoke with, the more I realized that a lot of people have very strong opinions about when it's okay -- and when it's not -- to pierce your daughter's ears.

So what's your take?

Question # 2: When did you let or when do you plan to let your daughter pierce her ears and why?

A six-year-old with a fondness for hoops (and her mother) want to know!

Jana Mathews is the mother of "four under five" and the author of The Meanest Mom blog.

filed under: family

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Earrings are not that big a deal. unlike tattoos it is very painless to rid yourself of them if you don’t like them. Just let your ears close up. Mine were pierced when I was three months and I don’t remember any pain. When I was a little girl I loved my earrings. I would wear hoops, studs and any thing else I had. Way more fun than clip- or stick-ons.I would wear them to church and school. but my favorite was to wear them when I played dress-up, I felt so pretty in them. I understand child’s choice but leave the parents alone. as long as piercings are done by a liscenced professional and properly cared for (which they should be regardless of age or location) there is not a problem. I don’t have time for earrings now, but I take pride knowing that if I ever come across an irresistable pair I can use them immediately. I only wear my earrings twice a year. Not for parties but just to keep them for closing. three to six hours later I put them away to collect dust for a few months. I am very success ful at what I do. Earrings have in no way hindered me or my reputation. As for becoming a stripper, I dress very modestly and conservatively, and would never dream of such a thing.

- Celina

Posted 08/18/09 07:03 PM

As a retired body piercer I have to put my two cents in. I can’t tell you how many messed up ear piercings I fixed on young girls in my career. Firstly… ear piercing in a hair salon = a really great way to get a staph infection. Ear piercing guns will hopefully soon be made illegal in many states. They can’t be autoclaved, create a backspray of blood on the gun, split the tissue, can’t be aimed well resulting in uneven piercings, I can just go on and on. Oh and yes, some children’s lobes WILL swallow the jewelry used because of swelling, infection, and the fact that the jewelry is just not made long enough for many people. They’re a great way to get hepatitis as well. Believe it or not the best way to get great, safe ear piercings is in an experienced tattoo shop. They will use a medical grade autoclaved needle which actually hurts less, is more accurate, and will cause less trauma to the child. Would you rather have a 16 year old in the mall permanently altering your child’s appearance, or someone who has trained in piercing for several years and has been required to take board of health safety classes? Think about it…

- Star Dogg

Posted 08/23/09 01:16 PM

I had mine done when i was 6 months old, & never had them close up or get infected. I’m 19, graduated high school with a 4.o & am working in labor & delivery at a hospital not dancing on a stipper pole. Kathleen is just ignorant Jocelyn

- Anonymous

Posted 09/03/09 06:30 PM

Kathleen, I know a stripper who has never had her ears pierced. She was a straight A student and went to college at 16, a genius, really. There goes your theory!

- Anonymous

Posted 09/08/09 06:27 PM

I have told my oldest daughter since she was 4 that she had to be able to take care of her own body all on her own. This included being potty trained, taking her own showers, brushing her hair, etc. She’s now nearly 6 and is not interested in the upkeep associated with getting her ears pierced, and that’s fine with me. Since we also have a nearly 2 year old, I don’t need anything else to have to take care of. :)

- Mom of 2 Girls

Posted 09/08/09 07:03 PM

Really? is it that big of a deal? I pierced my daughters ears when she was months old… she’s two now and loves her little stud earings… I.m not ashamed and don;t care about the people that look down on me for having her ears pierced. You know what they say… people that mind don’t matter and people that matter don;t mind. Besidesm there will be other oppotunities for her to make her own decision… It’s her ears for goodness sake! it’s not like it’s her lip or nose…. which by the way in other cultures is also totally acceptable. lol And if done properly like by a PEDIATRICIAN! And to people who judge others, i feel very sorry for you. Shame on people like Kathleen to make such ridiculous ASSumptions.

- Michelle

Posted 09/08/09 07:40 PM

I had my first daughters ears pierced when she was 8 months old and my youngest daughters done when she was 6 months old. My mother wouldn’t let me get mine done so when she was on vacation when I was 16 I snuck out and had it done. Neither of my girls regrets it - one is 20 the other is 13 and they both have more than just one on each side now.

- Diane

Posted 09/08/09 08:12 PM

I am 20 years old, and my parents rule was that I had to be old enough to ask for them. I asked when was about 4 and a half, my parents sat down with me to have a talk to make sure I understood, and then we went to the mall to get it done! I have never had an infection or had them close up on me. When I was thirteen, I got the second holes in each ear, which was the limit that my parents would pay for. I don’t think ear piercing is that big of deal - I didn’t wear “trashy” earrings and I love simple and elegant jewelry. The most important thing is to really make sure that your child understands what is going to happen. As long as its done by a professional, I don’t see the issue.

- amrmo13

Posted 09/09/09 06:28 AM

lot about you

- Samoys

Posted 10/03/09 01:05 PM

Very cute :-)))),

- Wendarwen

Posted 10/10/09 03:35 PM

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!,

- Fiaviel

Posted 10/11/09 08:11 PM

My mom told me that I could have my ears pierced when I was old enough to keep them healthy and clean; 13. However for Christmas when I was 9 years old I opened a box of earrings and was informed that I could get my ears pierced. Such a pleasant surprise, though I was fine with the older age as well. You gotta base it off your kid. When you think she’s ready than you can decide. But really if the kid isn’t old or mature enough to take care of them than she shouldn’t have them pierced.

- Cal

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