Cultural meaning of baby/child ear piercing?

[Anonymous]

I saw an adorable baby with her parents at our pediatrician's office yesterday. She was there for earrings. Came out a few minutes later with some tiny little rose gold studs.

I've always wondered--what are the cultural meanings/"reasons" behind getting a baby or young child's ears pierced?

Just genuinely curious; thank you for indulging my sincere curiosity!

[Anonymous]

I don't think it means anything specific just a tradition.

[Anonymous]

I had mine done when I was one, and did the same for DD. No cultural meaning. Just looks cute, IMO.

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t mean anything.

[Anonymous]

OP, what was the meaning you were thinking it might have?

[Anonymous]

I just googled and it said there is cultural significance for some Indians.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure it’s significant to some cultures. I’m white, Jewish and baby ear piercing is definitely not a part of my culture or even family. But I like it and my daughter had her’s done at 8 weeks.

[Anonymous]

I’m curious, too OP.
I had mine pierced at 13, and my three girls are all desperate to have theirs pierced earlier.
I’ll be the one to say: it’s trashy to pierce babies’ ears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious, too OP.
I had mine pierced at 13, and my three girls are all desperate to have theirs pierced earlier.
I’ll be the one to say: it’s trashy to pierce babies’ ears.

I never get this. You guys keep saying it, but no one ever has a good answer as to why its trashy. SO I think it's trashy to attach that thought to someone's baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious, too OP.
I had mine pierced at 13, and my three girls are all desperate to have theirs pierced earlier.
I’ll be the one to say: it’s trashy to pierce babies’ ears.

I never get this. You guys keep saying it, but no one ever has a good answer as to why its trashy. SO I think it's trashy to attach that thought to someone's baby.

Yes, and I think it's trashy to call people (of any age) trashy.

Now, back to why people pierce babies' ears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious, too OP.
I had mine pierced at 13, and my three girls are all desperate to have theirs pierced earlier.
I’ll be the one to say: it’s trashy to pierce babies’ ears.

OP here. For the record I do NOT think it is trashy, I just wondered why it seems more prevalent in some cultures than others. I thought perhaps it was part of a naming ceremony, or marked a certain birthday, or was thought of as good luck/blessings, etc. I didn't mean it as a criticism and I do NOT think it is "trashy."

[Anonymous]

Well maybe it’s not trashy. But it’s jarring and not cute.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I'm glad my parents did it when I was 6 months old. I'm not good with pain and I doubt I could sit still while they do the piercing now. Glad I don't remember it!

[Anonymous]

It’s very common in many cultures. African, middle eastern, south Asian, and some Asian.

It’s just not very common among whole people.

So when someone says it’s trashy, I just think they don’t like what brown people do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well maybe it’s not trashy. But it’s jarring and not cute.

It is a cultural difference. For me it is so sweet to see little girls wearing gold earring and signifies that the parents will look after her needs and not scrimp on providing expensive things like gold jewellery to her. To me it was jarring, not cute and very sad to see neglected girls with unpierced ears. See how this works?