Third piercing dilemma

[Anonymous]

My DD (15) has recently been hounding me, asking for a third ear lobe piercing. I am unsure about it, my DH and I are worried it is unprofessional and looks trashy. Both of my DDs have double ear piercings, which I initially objected to but relented, and I have been pleased with their earring choices, which have looked very nice. What do you think about third piercings in general?
My other DD (17) has also shown interest in a cartilage piercing on one ear, so I would appreciate advice on that as well. Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Regular earring holes aren’t permanent in the sense that you can take them out and never know there were holes there. Not like the large holes (gauges I think they’re called?) or tattoos.

When I was her age I had three holes in each lobe and some cartilage piercings on both sides. I wore small hoops in all of them, and maybe it was trashy? By the time I was 25 I was only wearing earrings in one hole, and now at 45 I don’t wear earrings at all. I turned out to be an upstanding member of society.

[Anonymous]

Well, I have 13 piercings, including two cartilage piercings and have never had issues professionally. If I think it matters, I just take out my earrings. But, it's rare that I bother.

[Anonymous]

1. Why would a 15 yr old need to look professional? She's got 7 more years of school.

2. I work at a law firm. People have all sorts of tattoos and piercings. Nose piercings, ears, nipple, belly button.

3. I think the barrier is the face. If you get a tattoo on your face or pierce your eyebrow, cheek or lip, THAT is considered unprofessional. But your daughter may want to work in research where nobody really sees her but rats. Or she'll want to be in the music industry where looking different is normal. Or five thousand other professions where traditional professional dress is not needed.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. We just navigated this last week for our daughter’s 15th. She had been hounding is for a third piercing and cartilage piercing. We weighed the pros and cons. I was more on board than my husband, which makes sense. We decided that since DD is a good kid with no problems (no drinking, smoking, good grades etc) we could give her this one and fight another battle later if we needed to. She received birthday money from relatives and paid for it herself. I was just there to sign the consent forms. She wears conservative earrings anyway and it’s fine. I’m sure by the time she’s finished college she will likely only keep her first piercings. Dad is settling in with it and it has made her really happy. Small price to pay during difficult times as these. This was how we did it. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP. We just navigated this last week for our daughter’s 15th. She had been hounding is for a third piercing and cartilage piercing. We weighed the pros and cons. I was more on board than my husband, which makes sense. We decided that since DD is a good kid with no problems (no drinking, smoking, good grades etc) we could give her this one and fight another battle later if we needed to. She received birthday money from relatives and paid for it herself. I was just there to sign the consent forms. She wears conservative earrings anyway and it’s fine. I’m sure by the time she’s finished college she will likely only keep her first piercings. Dad is settling in with it and it has made her really happy. Small price to pay during difficult times as these. This was how we did it. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

*us

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD (15) has recently been hounding me, asking for a third ear lobe piercing. I am unsure about it, my DH and I are worried it is unprofessional and looks trashy. Both of my DDs have double ear piercings, which I initially objected to but relented, and I have been pleased with their earring choices, which have looked very nice. What do you think about third piercings in general?
My other DD (17) has also shown interest in a cartilage piercing on one ear, so I would appreciate advice on that as well. Thanks!!

No thought on the general issue, but multiple piercings isn't haven't been considered unprofessional or trashy for a long time, as long as she stays away from gauges.

[Anonymous]

Op, you are entitled to say no to your 15 year old. For any 'ol reason or no reason in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, you are entitled to say no to your 15 year old. For any 'ol reason or no reason in particular.

I’m sure she’s quite aware.

[Anonymous]

I got my hood pierced the day I turned 18. You could be thankful that she isn’t asking for that. lol

[Anonymous]

I had a bunch of ear piercings as a teen/young adult. I work in an industry where it really wouldn’t matter but I’m old and boring and stopped wearing all the jewelry years ago. The only holes that haven’t closed up are my first earlobe holes from when I was 8 or 9. So she can always change her mind about the piercings when she’s older!

[Anonymous]

Also please go to a professional piercer and not a mall jewelry kiosk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP. We just navigated this last week for our daughter’s 15th. She had been hounding is for a third piercing and cartilage piercing. We weighed the pros and cons. I was more on board than my husband, which makes sense. We decided that since DD is a good kid with no problems (no drinking, smoking, good grades etc) we could give her this one and fight another battle later if we needed to. She received birthday money from relatives and paid for it herself. I was just there to sign the consent forms. She wears conservative earrings anyway and it’s fine. I’m sure by the time she’s finished college she will likely only keep her first piercings. Dad is settling in with it and it has made her really happy. Small price to pay during difficult times as these. This was how we did it. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

This — I avoid policing non-life-altering body modifications/style choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also please go to a professional piercer and not a mall jewelry kiosk.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP. We just navigated this last week for our daughter’s 15th. She had been hounding is for a third piercing and cartilage piercing. We weighed the pros and cons. I was more on board than my husband, which makes sense. We decided that since DD is a good kid with no problems (no drinking, smoking, good grades etc) we could give her this one and fight another battle later if we needed to. She received birthday money from relatives and paid for it herself. I was just there to sign the consent forms. She wears conservative earrings anyway and it’s fine. I’m sure by the time she’s finished college she will likely only keep her first piercings. Dad is settling in with it and it has made her really happy. Small price to pay during difficult times as these. This was how we did it. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

This — I avoid policing non-life-altering body modifications/style choices.

I could not agree more.

(And FWIW, I have three holes in one ear and one in the other and still wear earrings in all of them as a 46-year-old professional.)