While sitting at the dinner table tonight, my 14 and 9 year old sons both told me they would like to get their ears pierced… both ears. I didn't think I would have such a problem with it. If someone were to ask me if I thought they should let their boys get their ears pierced I would have said... why not! It wouldn't bother me. If they were rude or acted terrible, that would bother me.
After all I was 8. It doesn't seem to be an issue when a girl gets her ears pierced at any age. If they change their minds later on they can always take them out. But, I'm not sure. I didn't say yes or no. If my daughter were to ask me now at age 3 I wouldn't hesitate. At least, I don't think I would. My boys are good boys and very clean cut. Just wanted your thoughts.
Just a story: when I was a kid, I pierced my own ears.
Used ice and an apple in the back.
Then I went out to the living room, told my parents “I pierced my ears! Look!” I was really excited and wasn’t doing it to irk them. I just did it myself. Cleaned it before and after. Sanitized the earring I used and had sharpened the tip with, to pierce my ears.
I did not get an infection at all.
Mind you, this is in addition, to the pair of earring holes I already had, which my parents got for me previously.
I also had a mohawk and different colored hair, and was into punk.
Was I a weird kid? No.
Was I a bad kid? No.
Was I rude or a terrible kid? No.
Am I still that way? No.
I was a kid then.
How did my parents react? They were unperturbed about it. They didn’t flinch. My Mom just said “keep it clean!” Mind you, my parents are typical standard parents. Not liberal or anything. From an earlier era.
They are more than old enough to decide. If they decide they don’t like it later on, they can just stop wearing an earring and the holes will close up.
ETA: I misread their ages as 14 and 19. I would still be great with the 14 year old. The 9 year old I would make wait. I did mine in high school and I don’t see that waiting should be a big issue. Of course if he was 19 - then whatever he wants to do with his ears is fine.
ETA: Oh, boy, I read this incorrectly… I thought you wrote that your boys were 14 and 19. That said, I’ll have to change my answer-- the fourteen year old- yes, if he wants to care for the piercings, but the 9 year old should wait until he’s 13. 13 would be my rule if it was for a boy or girl.
Here in Portland, it doesn’t seem to be a big deal for a boy to have both ears pierced. Certainly more common on the men.
I agree with the others. My boys are 8 and 14, and so far have not expressed a desire for earrings, but my 14 year old has had some pretty awful hairstyles. I let him know which styles I prefer, but also let him know it’s his hair, and he can decide what to do with it. The earrings are the same thing. If the boys are good kids, like yours and mine are, I’m not going to get too worked up over simple things like earrings or hairstyles (or clothes or other personal choices). I’ll just be thankful that they make good choices when it comes to the important things in life.
Fortunately right now he has chosen a great hairstyle! We’ll see how long it lasts.
My husband would say NOT ONLY NO BUT HE$$ NO. When you turn 18 and a legal adult - do what you want with your body…
I PREFER my “men” to be clean cut and no piercings. I would ask that they wait. But also ask WHY they want their ears pierced. Unlike a tattoo - should they change their mind - they can take them out and the holes will close up.
I personally would make my son wait till 16 for that, but at the same time when i see younger boys with earrings i dont think nothing of it. so either way i think is fine. on the other hand i know for a fact my husband would say NO lol
Age 14? Sure, Age 9? A bit young to make that decision, but if he were a girl I’d say ok. I’d let them both do it.
(ETA) my mom pierced my ears when I was 5, and I never had an infection. The 9 yr old is plenty old enough to care for it. And, after all, it is just a piece of jewelry. If he changes his mind he can take the stud out and let it close up again.
14yr old, yes and only one at at time, most of the boys with both look silly IMHO, the 9yo and your girl will both have to wait until 14 per the rules of my home.
My daughters both had theirs done around 9/10 (because that’s when they were ready and mature enough to take care of them) so I wouldn’t be concerned about the age.
It must be considered cool where you live because around here almost no boys have any piercings.
If it’s a “norm” in your community and you think the boys are mature enough to be responsible for the cleaning and upkeep, then why not?
my son got his pierced at age 8 for his bday. He was a very good kid. He was on a wrestling team so I think he wanted it for intimidation purposes, plus his dad wore an earring, so I let him. He quit wearing it at 18 and hasnt worn one since. (gotta love maturity)
I don’t like two pierced ears on guys tho, I think it looks crappy… but I’m old so that’s probably why.
I’d worry they would want those gauges tho-- those are pretty awful looking… so if I had an 8 yr old now that asked for a pierced ear I might be more inclined to say no just for that reason.
I wouldn’t have a problem with it. And just to be aware, you should check their dress code at school, it may not allow for it unless of course you homeschool.
When my oldest wanted his ear pierced I made him wait until he was 12. I figured by that age he was old enough to choose if he wanted his ear pierced or not and be able to take care of it by himself.
I was right. In (almost) 4 years his ear has never gotten infected or anything.
On the other hand he wants his other ear pierced… I told him no. I personally don’t like both ears pierced on boys/ men. IMO it looks girly. I told him that was something he could do when he is 18. But he is getting an industrial bar in the same ear that is pierced for his 16th birthday ( in a couple of months).
I know that probably doesn’t make any sense to anyone else but me… but that’s where I stand with it
The 14 year old I would allow, the 9 year old it would depend on maturity level. I know I wouldn’t let my daughter pierce hers until later because she wasn’t mature enough to care for it.
At 14, I don’t think it would be a big deal, but I wouldn’t let the 9 year old - I would make him wait until he was 14, like his brother. But I would rather it was just one ear, not both.
