Parents: Would you take your teenager to get a piercing?

Hi there, My daughter has several piercings and I have been with her for most of them. Admittedly she is now 17, I can't say much as I have quite a few myself, but speaking from experience of seeing other kids have peircings I would personally go with them as you wouldn't want them going behind your back getting them done at some dodgy back street piercing studio! Hope all goes well!

Well, first let me preface this by saying, I think it's a personal choice that every parent needs to make for thier own children. Also, when you take your son to get pierced, make sure you talk to him about the limits of guaging out his ears, alot of times, if they wear them in thier ears for an extended period of time, they will not grow closed, so he may be a thirty year old man with HUGE holes in his ears, unable to get a professional job b/c who is going to hire a manager that looks unprofessional? However, that is your descision, but you will want him to know the risks in getting his ears guaged out. Also, I have found, that people will say, I'm just going to get it this big, until they have it that big, and then they decide they want it bigger. You should try to talk to an expert about it, because that I am not, but I have a feeling that the larger you go, the harder it will be for it to close up eventually and look normal. Having said all that, like I stated previously, I do believe it's a personal choice. For me, I think it would depend on the reason WHY he wanted it. If he wants it just because his friends want it, I'll tell him no.. but if he could give me a reason why he thinks it's important or why he likes it and it is something he is passionate about, I may think about it. BUt I problably would not allow the guaging simply because it may hurt his future prospects of a well paying job. Good luck!

I sure would, and I did. My daughter was 15 when she got her tongue pierced. She's an interesting kid--straight 'A' student, is in ROTC for 3 years, is a phenomenal photographer, she volunteers for charitable community services, she's a military brat, and a whole lot more. I think she breaks the stereotype that sometimes is placed on those teens that get piercings. I say, don't judge their book by their covers, because you just might miss out on a fantastic teen, who is intelligent and a delight. Yeah, my daughter also has her ear gauged like your son. Again, I don't think the exterior of a teen necessary defines them and their character.

Honestly, My son had been asking me forever. I told him if he brought home good grades, did his chores, and took the inititive to do things sometimes I would consider it during Christmas, that was 2006. He actually did all the following, as as of today still continue to keep his grades and such up...I got him a small diamond earring in his ear. It's not the earring that stretch. I will also admit, I have piercings myself. I didn't get my labret or my tongue pierced until I was 25 and 31 for the other. I don't have a problem with my son having a ring as long as he not trying to get huge earring for his ear...

I think that anyone has other opinions about this. I came from a religios house, and I know that my mom would never let me to do piercing, but I did it anyway. I did a belly piercing, and at first she knew, she got mad at me. But I wanted it so bad, and I didn't agree to take it off. Eventually, she accepted and now I still have a piercing. It dependson the parents. If I want something, i'm doing it, and I don't care what my parents think about it, because I know i'm a good kid.

I would only agree to take my son to get a piercing on two things 1 if he was at least 16 and 2 i would make him wait one month and if he still wanted would let him get it. I have two tattoos and my tongue is pierced . it is his choice.

I agree with you. If that is the worst thing he will ever do in his life, why not. At least he is including you in his life enough to want you there. I would do the same.

As much as I like "plugs" I personally could never get one LOL and I dont think I would let my kids either until they were old enough to go on their own BUT both my kids want me to take them for tats and piercings when they turn 16 (they both started mentioning it a couple yrs ago and are only 11.5 and 13 now LOL) and I'm all for it...So long as with the tats its something they REALLY WANT somethign that has personal symbolism for them etc and not just something from a flash on the wall....I have/had piercings and am getting more, I have tats and am getting more, their father had tats and their stepfather even has a tat as many of their aunts and cousins have either tats, piercings or both so for me to tell them NO would be IMO pretty hypocritical really...I've also told them I'd pay for the first of each but after that their on their damn own money wise LOL

While ear-piercing is somehow fine by me, I don't quite understand that people would get various parts of their bodies pierced too. I have no problems with those who do that, as long as they feel comfortable with it. I just don't quite understand the aesthetical value of such a procedure, mostly when it is performed on body parts that you don't show to the 'general public'. I have heard that the purpose of a tongue piercing was not just aesthetical, and that's also fine by me. But why pierce anywhere else? My son requested to have one ear pierced when he was about 12. I had no problem with it, mostly as I live in a country where most men have at least one earring. However, I did put my foot down when my daughter, at roughly the same age, wanted to have her labia pierced. Not only did I think that it was ridiculous, but it was also potentially dangerous. In summary, I try to keep an open mind about piercings, as long as they are performed within reason and do not endanger the health of the one who is pierced.

yes whats the big deal... untill its safe

I would take them most definately. They are open minded people and if they have the guts to ask me in the first place if they can get one then more power to them and I would say yes. I don't know about the hubby though. Good question.

i india ears are pierced in the childhood. i avoids asthamatic problems some sort of accupressure

My oldest son is 13 and has not expressed any desire for this, but it seems to be more commonplace today for younger and younger boys to have an ear pierced. I do not like the look of large holes in anyones' ears though -- a small one should work and be ok. I'd say no to any other body piercings though -- if they want those they should wait until they are out of the house and working! lol

you might be amazed but in asia n middle east parents take their kids(girls) to pierce their ears when they are like 2 or 3, i think pierced ears are ok, other piercings are just personal choice, and are more susceptible to infections. so i think when it comes to ears it's ok.

I just wanted to let you know something for future reference ok? I know for a fact that once his ear stretches it wont get back to normal..I watched a thing on 20/20 about this and kids getting it done..and when they decide they dont want it anymore..they're ears lobes are strecthed and need plastic surgery to get it back to normal size..Just wanted to let you know if you didnt know already.,And yes i will Take my son to get whatever he wants pierced...well almost anything..I WILL NEVER LET HIM GET HIS UMM...SECRET NO NO PLACE PIRCED!!LOL!! IF THAT IS EVER AN OPTION..he wil be 18..and i dont want to know about it! lol..

well, i would do every thing for my child if he or she seems to be good to me, i mean if he or she is sensible and would not do anything against the rules.i would never let my children take a wrong path i will surely guide them to the right path and let them do what ever they want to provided that it is good.

the modern trend is related with out look were as real culture and our forefathers life style were healthy too still we can't enjoy or were dresses like the kings of oldendays that were a ternd too but were healthy ..... come to the point , our body has many minute nerve endings piercing the body will lead to nerve damage and it may be a accupressure or accupuncture point which may lead to unknowm damages... so beware of body poercing.

I won't allow them to get a piercing. If they're 18 then they can do what they want as long as they pay for it. I would try to talk them out of it though. I don't like how it looks like and I don't want them to ever regret anything.

The ear.. yeah, that's ok. But not anywhere else, that's just nasty. I mean, REALLY nasty. But that's just my opinion.

Yes i would. if it's a metter between getting a piercing or tatto i would definately take them to get a piering. i think as a parent you have to pick your battles and a piercing is not permanent. so if it's something i know that will come out why not.