Anonymous wrote:Only acceptable if DS also has a mullet, and you are from that social milieu.

This. I would wait until all kids are 13 and they are old enough to mostly care for the piercings themselves and are able to understand what they are getting themselves into if it gets infected. They still don't totally understand, but it's a good time for them to learn.

If he is playing sports, it's also not a great idea until he is older. I would go with dh on this one, and tell him you regret getting the girl's ears pierced so early.

Only acceptable if DS also has a mullet, and you are from that social milieu.

Anonymous wrote:I would not allow daughters or sons to have ear piercings before teenage years. Once they are a teenager I would allow it for either gender. But an 8 year old cannot make that decision and also my particular 8 year olds would not be able to keep the holes clean. And it would be an issue for sports, which happen almost every day... I've seen refs ask kids to take out earings. Who wants to deal with that at that age? Its a big no from me but due to age not gender.

FYI: for some sports, they just ask that you cover it with a band-aid.

But thats also why you choose the right time to pierce the ear. Do it now, in the spring, when it doesn't impact baseball. That way they can remove it before football season starts

I would not allow daughters or sons to have ear piercings before teenage years. Once they are a teenager I would allow it for either gender. But an 8 year old cannot make that decision and also my particular 8 year olds would not be able to keep the holes clean. And it would be an issue for sports, which happen almost every day... I've seen refs ask kids to take out earings. Who wants to deal with that at that age? Its a big no from me but due to age not gender.

Anonymous wrote:I would not let any child, regardless of gender, have ears pierced before age 13.

Cool

I would not let any child, regardless of gender, have ears pierced before age 13.

Anonymous wrote:Ho-lee crud. Some of the replies here are absolutely insane. I think 8 is a bit young for either gender to get piercings, but what's good for the gander is certainly good for the goose. Why is an 8 year old boy getting piercings worse than an 8 year old girl? Genuinely, what is the difference?

This difference is in people who are insecure in their sexuality.

There are a few boys at our ES who have their ears pireced. DH had his ears pierced when we were in HS. If DS asked, I'd say yes and we'd be off to get them pierced since our DDs also have their ears pierced.

Is he around any other older boys? I’m a high school teacher. I’m seeing more and more boys with both ears pierced. It has nothing to do with gender or sexuality, it’s big athletic straight guys from all different races. You can tell your husband that.

Still, if it was my son in elementary I’d encourage him to wait. Mostly because when my elementary daughter went through getting hers pierced the care was a pain and taking them out for sports was a hassle for weeks.

If it was my high schooler, I’d support him. He’d be mature enough to handle the care and I’m starting to think they look good on the guys.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our house, when one parent says no, it's a no. The reason does not matter.

+1

Didn’t read the other replies. But one parent saying no = no.

Rule would apply equally to a DD wanting ears pierced.

I would agree if they hadn’t already pierced their daughters‘ ears. But since they did the only fair thing is to let the son do it too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our house, when one parent says no, it's a no. The reason does not matter.

+1

Didn’t read the other replies. But one parent saying no = no.

Rule would apply equally to a DD wanting ears pierced.

Finally someone disagreeing for a reason that doesn't involve phrases like "freakshow" or "hormones." An entirely reasonable stance -- frankly, I think any child should wait for their teen/tween years to get piercings.

Anonymous wrote:In our house, when one parent says no, it's a no. The reason does not matter.

+1

Didn’t read the other replies. But one parent saying no = no.

Rule would apply equally to a DD wanting ears pierced.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this is a permanent alteration to his body

???? Piercing holes close quickly when they're fresh??? About the only reasonable thing here is making sure that you've considered the possible stigma. There is no other legitimate reason to advocate for a double standard-- even if it is how it used to be done. Baby boys also used to wear dresses, but that changed (although it may yet make a comeback). Cultural perceptions of gender change.

I'm telling. As a parent of a white boy who has had his ears pierced since 8, and now has 4 holes (and requesting more) in MS, there is no stigma.

Unless you go to a HS in all-white flyover state, its no big deal. Every musical artist and athlete that these boys admire have their ears pierced

In our house, when one parent says no, it's a no. The reason does not matter.

Anonymous wrote:this is a permanent alteration to his body

???? Piercing holes close quickly when they're fresh??? About the only reasonable thing here is making sure that you've considered the possible stigma. There is no other legitimate reason to advocate for a double standard-- even if it is how it used to be done. Baby boys also used to wear dresses, but that changed (although it may yet make a comeback). Cultural perceptions of gender change.