Ear piercing for boys - For or against?

juno

If you decide to let him, do your research and go for a decent place that uses needles. Piercing guns are bad. They can't be sterilised - although people will try to tell you they're clean - so there's the potential for all sorts of nasty diseases. Although you do get a free go in the AIDs lottery.

pinkshoes

Pierced ears on a guy just makes me think CHAV! (I'm 31).

Persuade him to get an eyebrow piercing instead!

I'd just let him get it! A friend's son (aged 15) got his ears pierced, and every time I see him, I just take the p*ss, and call him a chav. Not sure he'll keep them in for long... And be grateful it's not some tacky tattoo!!! My 18 year old cousin got her neck tattooed, and it looks awful, and really poor quality!

patchwork_cat

He can always let them close up so his future profession is irrelevant.

balletshoes

ailuro2 wrote: »

depends on what he wants to be when he's older, if he's headed for a "profession" then it's a no-no ( I always think boys with ears pierced look like neds, sorry, only my opinion, but can't help it)

I'm 41 though, and it was a big thing when I was at school - but only the boys from the rougher end of town would have it done, probably why I think of it as neddish now.

Don't get me started on young guys who have those strething rings in their ears, I can hardly pay for my shopping without stopping to stare at their ears before they ask me to type in my pin:eek:

oh ailuro I wish you lived near me, I'd take you to my daughter's favourite shop in Nottingham - all the assistants have multiple facial piercings (one girl has them in her cheeks :eek:), stretching discs in their ears, multi-coloured goatees etc - they all look amazing.

Rev

If the only reason you're refusing is because you don't like boys with earrings then yes. IMO you're wrong. What happens when he gets older and wants to dress in a way you don't like? Date a girl you don't like etc.

He's just starting to express himself and develop his own sense of self. Yes it might be a trend, but it's very easily taken out and nobody is any the wiser. If he gets a job as a professional, that's a long way off and as I said, it's easily taken out for work.

That said, if he were mine I'd not get it done, because he's 12. I have no issues with anyone having piercings anywhere they like, I'd just want him to wait till he was 16.

If you've got no problem with him getting it done at this age then if I were you, I'd let him get it done.

Also echo what's been said about using needles and guns being a no no.

MERFE

pinkshoes I think an eyebrow piercing is more chavy lol everyones opinion differs. However I don't think its ours that matter I think its the boy who is having it done and he is of an age when I think he can decide for himself. That added to the fact he doesn't have to wear one just cos they are pierced means I see no reason not to let him have it done.

Turtle

Personally I think it looks awful, sorry.

meritaten

I'm in my mid fifties and I dont have a problem with boys getting their ears pierced. even when I was girl some lads had one ear pierced. (mostly the tough boys).
as for if it causes a problem later in life - what problem? if they leave the earring out then the hole closes. its NOT irreversible like a tattoo. and tbh most future employers wont bat an eyelid at a discreet earring or a mark of where one has been.

shy-but-need-help

Juno has a good point about getting it done well- some places with autoclav the piercing guns but most won't and just use sterile packs of piercing studs assuming that's good enough, a decent piercer will use needles.

It's one that heals really quickly if taken out so I'd let him- he'll most likely grow out of the phase soon enough. He's 12 and there's nothing saying he has to keep it in for life, plenty of time for dressing like a doctor/lawyer/politician if he ever decides he wants to be one.... if we were all only able to take on the professions associated with how we looked at 12 it'd be a worrying world!

Pixiechic

Ear piercing on a young boy just screams out chav and poverty to me, sorry. I think it looks awful and cheap.

As ages have been mentioned, I am 29.