I remember the thrill of getting my first tattoo on my 18th birthday. Armed with my freshly minted ID, I ventured to a tattoo shop squeezed between a Chinese takeout and a coffee shop. To be honest, there was no grand vision behind my choice; I simply wanted to rebel against my mom’s disapproval. After a quick flip through some flash art — those pre-drawn designs that include everything from cartoon characters to skulls — I settled on a black cross entwined with a yellow rose.
The tattoo artist, a burly guy with a beard, tried to dissuade me, noting that I wasn’t religious and questioning my choice of placement — right above my lower back, a spot that would become notorious later on as the “tramp stamp” area. Over the years, I’ve acquired more tattoos and piercings than I can count. Yet, despite my body modification enthusiasm, I have no intention of piercing my daughter’s ears.
That’s right. The mom with colorful hair and a penchant for piercings isn’t rushing to adorn her toddler with earrings. As soon as family members learned I had a daughter, they bombarded me with questions about when I would get her ears pierced. “But you have so many piercings! Isn’t that what you do?” they would ask, confused by my resistance.
I could have snapped back with a witty remark about how it was none of their business, but instead, I calmly explained that piercing her ears wasn’t on my agenda. Just because I enjoy body modifications doesn’t mean my daughter will. It’s her body, and she should have the autonomy to make such choices when she’s older and more capable of understanding their significance.
Some may argue that it’s just a small procedure, as many parents have done it themselves with a needle and ice cube. But the point is, these are her ears, not mine. Piercing them without her consent raises concerns about autonomy. Every modification I’ve made was my own choice, whether wise or foolish.
If my daughter expresses a desire to have her ears pierced when she’s old enough to articulate her wishes — say, around 6 or 8 — I’ll gladly take her to a reputable piercing studio. But until then, I won’t impose this choice on her. It would be selfish to make a permanent alteration for my own satisfaction, especially when there are no cultural or medical reasons compelling enough to justify it.
While some may find that tiny studs are adorable, they won’t bring her happiness like a bowl of Cheerios or a Disney show. And when the time is right, I’ll support her decisions, just as I would with any other choices about her body.
For those exploring options for pregnancy and parenting, this article is a reminder that autonomy starts early. If you’re interested in home insemination options, check out this excellent resource on family-building solutions.
Summary:
The author shares her personal journey regarding body modifications and explains why she chooses not to pierce her daughter’s ears until her daughter is old enough to decide for herself. Emphasizing the importance of consent and individuality, she highlights the difference between her choices and those she will allow her daughter to make. Ultimately, the decision to pierce ears should only rest with the child when they can understand its significance.
Keyphrase:
Why I’m Not Piercing My Daughter’s Ears
Tags:
home insemination kit, home insemination syringe, self insemination