Here's a question for the ladies.
How old were you when you got your ears pierced? I saw a baby on the bus yesterday, probably only a few months old, and she had her ears pierced. I know it's not really a big deal, but it just seemed to me kinda slack, to do it before the kid has any say in the matter.
'Here, beloved child, just hold still a moment while I permanently puncture your flesh.'
Also it seems a bit like, well, do you really want your kid to grow up that quick? I know I don't. Did you have to wait a long time to get your ears pierced when you were a kid?
What do you reckon is a good age? Ten? Thirteen?
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
13 comments:
I was 26 or 27. My mum said I couldn't until I was 18 and could make my own decision about it. I didn't for a while, partly because it was actually being different NOT to have my ears pierced - a bit like being a rebel, in a strange way.
I'm dreading having to make this decision with little P. But I'll probably err more on the conservative side, like my mum did before me (though maybe not quite so conservative as she was).
We all had to wait till we were 13. Good idea I reckon. And then applying that stuff everyday for the first six weeks to ward off infection etc and taking care of things was our own responsibility. Part of the whole gradually growing up process.
My Mum and sister made me get my ear's pierced! When I was 13 yrs old. They got their's done and decided I should do, even though I protested.
And during the piercing process, the 'gun' became stuck on one of my ears and tore it.
As you can imagine, I've never let my Mum and sister forget about it :)
The day of 12th birthday. I got my ears pierced and felt so grown up.
Then I went to see Cinderella the musical. Maybe not so grown up after all.
I really don't like seeing it on little girls and especially hate it on babies.
Was she Asian? My sister in law is Indonesian and she told me it's customary for baby girls to get their ears pierced at a few days old. She and my brother have been living in Jakarta with their 3 year old daughter without pierced ears and while she does look like a girl, people keep asking if she is a boy because her ears aren't pierced. Anyway I was 12 at my own request. It hurts, then they get infected and then you get allergies to certain metals etc. Not fun for a little girl.
I am Indonesian (well, half Indonesian) so I totally resonate with Goldy's comments.
I got my ears pierced when I was six. I had no say. Mum took me to the hairdressers, I got it done and that was pretty much it. I didn't feel like it took away my innocence or childhood at all. And even though I got it done, I was only allowed to wear little sleepers or studs until I was old enough to work and buy my own jewellery. No infections, no pain either. Being six was considered pretty old already - in Jakarta (where my family is from) girls get their ears pierced as babies.
I reckon don't be too quick to judge on these things. It really depends on culture, context, etc. ;)
Well, thanks for the input everyone. Sounds like it varies a lot. Interesting how none of you said you were dying to do it..
Soph, I think your right about not being too quick to judge. Different cultures do different things, and different isn't neccessarily bad.
By the way this kid I saw wasn't Asian. Anyways, for me, I reckon 13 sounds about right for my kids, if they want it.
I begged to get mine done. On my ninth birthday I was visiting my grandma's farm. A farmer pierced my ears with a pig vaccination needle. Yes, I know that is weird.
kristina, that is AWESOME.
I was just about to say the same thing. Trully awesome. Kristina, you are my hero.
I was around 11 or 12 and it was my birthday present. I proceeded to pierce my ears two more times.. Kris should remember, she helped me do it the second time with a needle and ice cubes. It's been years since I've worn earrings. How crazy is that??
ouch.. a do it yourself job! It all sounds like a lot of unneccessary pain to me.
I think I was 18..
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