The fun of stirring up controversy
13 June 2010 at 09:33 4 comments
With the impending arrival of our little girl, I couldn’t help but stir up some controversy among a group of expectant mothers on the issue of ear piercing baby girls. 
Having grown up during my ‘formative years’ in the US Virgin Islands, piercing baby girls’ ears from birth is standard practice. Culturally, it is also a very common custom in India and Africa.
I knew exactly that I was opening up a kettle of worms with this question and secretly relished it. It has been interesting to see the response – surprisingly about a 50-50 split.
Some mothers say they will absolutely wait until the daughter is old enough to ask and take care of her earrings herself. This camp stands strongly behind the claim, “it’s her body, and she has the right to choose what she does with it.” Others say in their experience, it is much easier to pierce their daughters’ ears when they are babies because they don’t fuss with them and never remember the pain. This group would not hesitate to do it again. And then there are the crazy ones, like the radically conservative woman in an internet post that likened piercing baby girls’ ears to child abuse. Pleeassse.
I was around 10 when my ears were pierced. I still remember the pain and blood – and that revolver-like tool they used. Eek! Frankly, one side was not done very well either.
While I appreciate the views of those that say they choose to wait until their daughters ask, I can’t help but wonder, what little girl these days (in my culture anyway) does not want to have her ears pierced? They always seem so proud to show off their tiny jeweled lobes! I also buy into the argument that it is easier to clean and watch out for infection when the baby is an infant. This, versus a five year old who is into everything, or a 10-year-old who still remembers the pain.
Ultimately this decision is about personal choice and beliefs.
Can you tell I will be piercing my baby daughter’s ears with little diamond studs or gold loops?
I’m not sure her father or other Belgian relatives will be wildly enthusiastic about this idea. That said, I am quite certain her African godmother will side with me!
Entry filed under: Random thoughts. Tags: .
1.
Kims | 13 June 2010 at 20:18
So with you. I had my ears pierced when I was 4. My Indonesian grandma took me and got me gold studs. I was so proud and did not suffer any pain or trauma.
When I became a rebellious teen, I had them pierced again. Agony! Just like removing tonsils, the younger the better.
2.
sunflowersbythesea | 14 June 2010 at 07:35
3.
Stéphanie | 15 June 2010 at 21:54
Where on earth did you go to get your ears pierced for it to have been such a traumatic experience? I had mine done at 10 and my daughter at 9, and with neither of us was there any blood nor pain (well no more than a slight pinch). The importance if for you (and the daddy) to agree on what you want to do. And let the others do the talking
4.
sunflowersbythesea | 16 June 2010 at 20:29
Funny – I think it’s one of those things that you’re either lucky or you’re not… I was obviously unlucky!