piercing and boys

[honbuns]

Is 14 a bit young for a boy to get an earring?

I'm asking because my third son's birthday is coming up soon.

I also have a 7 year old, but I wouldn't consider it for him, not unless he asked for it of course.

2 sons already with an earring, the third one soon with one as you are pushing for it ... why not one for you, Colonel ?

1. Because I have no personal interest in it,
2. Because I am getting old (but not that old I might add! )
3. Because it is not appropriate for me, as a retired Lieutenant Colonel, a businessman and a magistrate.

I am happy for my kids to have their own individuality and express themselves however. What they choose and what they do, is not always my cup of tea, however, I see no harm in this issue, which is why my wife and I permitted it for our eldest two.

I'd also add that I am not "pushing for it", I simply think he might like it, and also since his brothers do, I also think it is inevitable that at some point (if not now) that he will want to.

Am I wrong?

Dont think that you should assume that your son will inevitably want a piercing some do some dont. Probably the thing to do is ask his brothers, they are more likely to have discussed it with him in the past.

[The Colonel]

Is 14 a bit young for a boy to get an earring?

I'm asking because my third son's birthday is coming up soon.

I also have a 7 year old, but I wouldn't consider it for him, not unless he asked for it of course.

2 sons already with an earring, the third one soon with one as you are pushing for it ... why not one for you, Colonel ?

1. Because I have no personal interest in it,
2. Because I am getting old (but not that old I might add! )
3. Because it is not appropriate for me, as a retired Lieutenant Colonel, a businessman and a magistrate.

I am happy for my kids to have their own individuality and express themselves however. What they choose and what they do, is not always my cup of tea, however, I see no harm in this issue, which is why my wife and I permitted it for our eldest two.

I'd also add that I am not "pushing for it", I simply think he might like it, and also since his brothers do, I also think it is inevitable that at some point (if not now) that he will want to.

Am I wrong?

Dont think that you should assume that your son will inevitably want a piercing some do some dont. Probably the thing to do is ask his brothers, they are more likely to have discussed it with him in the past.

That is a very good idea.

Thanks for that honbuns.

[Guest #2]

Is 14 a bit young for a boy to get an earring?

I'm asking because my third son's birthday is coming up soon.

I also have a 7 year old, but I wouldn't consider it for him, not unless he asked for it of course.

2 sons already with an earring, the third one soon with one as you are pushing for it ... why not one for you, Colonel ?

1. Because I have no personal interest in it,
2. Because I am getting old (but not that old I might add! )
3. Because it is not appropriate for me, as a retired Lieutenant Colonel, a businessman and a magistrate.

I am happy for my kids to have their own individuality and express themselves however. What they choose and what they do, is not always my cup of tea, however, I see no harm in this issue, which is why my wife and I permitted it for our eldest two.

I'd also add that I am not "pushing for it", I simply think he might like it, and also since his brothers do, I also think it is inevitable that at some point (if not now) that he will want to.

Am I wrong?

Dont think that you should assume that your son will inevitably want a piercing some do some dont. Probably the thing to do is ask his brothers, they are more likely to have discussed it with him in the past.

That is a very good idea.

Thanks for that honbuns.

You are probably right, Colonel. Your 3rd argument is sadly the most convincing.

What convince me you would so much like to have one pierced ear, but you think your social position does not allow you to get it done:

1.You spend so much time in this thread not to have any interest.
2. You already envisage an earring for your 3rd son aged 14.
3. You stated you would not consider an earring for your 4th son aged 7 ... "unless he asks for it of course" --> this shows you would definitely love him to ask you for it.

Why not simply ask your 2 youngest sons if they want an earring as they are old enough to have their mind on that subject.

And why not asking the 2 oldest what they would think if their father were to wear a nice little earring at home ?

Let us know the answer to these 2 questions.

[The Colonel]

Is 14 a bit young for a boy to get an earring?

I'm asking because my third son's birthday is coming up soon.

I also have a 7 year old, but I wouldn't consider it for him, not unless he asked for it of course.

2 sons already with an earring, the third one soon with one as you are pushing for it ... why not one for you, Colonel ?

1. Because I have no personal interest in it,
2. Because I am getting old (but not that old I might add! )
3. Because it is not appropriate for me, as a retired Lieutenant Colonel, a businessman and a magistrate.

I am happy for my kids to have their own individuality and express themselves however. What they choose and what they do, is not always my cup of tea, however, I see no harm in this issue, which is why my wife and I permitted it for our eldest two.

I'd also add that I am not "pushing for it", I simply think he might like it, and also since his brothers do, I also think it is inevitable that at some point (if not now) that he will want to.

Am I wrong?

Dont think that you should assume that your son will inevitably want a piercing some do some dont. Probably the thing to do is ask his brothers, they are more likely to have discussed it with him in the past.

That is a very good idea.

Thanks for that honbuns.

You are probably right, Colonel. Your 3rd argument is sadly the most convincing.

What convince me you would so much like to have one pierced ear, but you think your social position does not allow you to get it done:

1.You spend so much time in this thread not to have any interest.
2. You already envisage an earring for your 3rd son aged 14.
3. You stated you would not consider an earring for your 4th son aged 7 ... "unless he asks for it of course" --> this shows you would definitely love him to ask you for it.

Why not simply ask your 2 youngest sons if they want an earring as they are old enough to have their mind on that subject.

And why not asking the 2 oldest what they would think if their father were to wear a nice little earring at home ?

Let us know the answer to these 2 questions.

I think you have taken a spin to my words that is not accurate!

For (1) I visit here because it is "piercing and boys" and as a result I can comment on that, and my knowledge of it acquired through my 2 boys having it done,
For (2) I do think it is likely that Matthew (my third son) will get it done, probably for no other reason than because his older brothers have,
For (3) If my 7 year old did ask for it, then it would be rather difficult to say no, when his brothers do (that was what I was getting at there)

As for your two questions:

I am thinking of asking Matthew (that is why I am asking if people think it is a bit young) but I don't think it is a good idea for Andrew (my 7 year old). I did ask my wife not too long ago whether we should ask the both of them, and she said "no". So technically, I am going back on what she said by even thinking about asking Matthew.

As for the other question, I have no desire to wear one! This thread is about boys - and that is what I am commenting on.

[Marky Mark]

Is 14 a bit young for a boy to get an earring?

I'm asking because my third son's birthday is coming up soon.

No, I don't think 14 is too young nor, looking at the other posts in this thread, do I think that 7 is too young either. However, that's my opinion and it's yours that matters.

The important and valuable thing here is that you can have the discussions with your sons and are open minded enough to give them your blessing and encouragement when they have stated their preferences either way. My son is aged inbetween your two younger ones and asked to have his ears pierced over two years ago. I was with him when he had both his ears pierced (on separate occasions) and he has always acted maturely concerning their hygiene and care.

Looking at the posts on this and other threads, it appears to me that many men and boys determine at quite a young age that they want to wear an earring or earrings and always have it done (sometimes straight away, othertimes many, many years later after or despite parental, peer or society pressure - real or imagined). My personal view concerning a son wanting to wear an earring is that (whatever his age) I would much rather take him to have his ear pierced properly with my encouragement than say no and him go behind my back to some dirty place (notwithstanding the need for parental permission) or get a friend to do it.

[The Colonel]

Is 14 a bit young for a boy to get an earring?

I'm asking because my third son's birthday is coming up soon.

No, I don't think 14 is too young nor, looking at the other posts in this thread, do I think that 7 is too young either. However, that's my opinion and it's yours that matters.

The important and valuable thing here is that you can have the discussions with your sons and are open minded enough to give them your blessing and encouragement when they have stated their preferences either way. My son is aged inbetween your two younger ones and asked to have his ears pierced over two years ago. I was with him when he had both his ears pierced (on separate occasions) and he has always acted maturely concerning their hygiene and care.

Looking at the posts on this and other threads, it appears to me that many men and boys determine at quite a young age that they want to wear an earring or earrings and always have it done (sometimes straight away, othertimes many, many years later after or despite parental, peer or society pressure - real or imagined). My personal view concerning a son wanting to wear an earring is that (whatever his age) I would much rather take him to have his ear pierced properly with my encouragement than say no and him go behind my back to some dirty place (notwithstanding the need for parental permission) or get a friend to do it.

Marky Mark,

I am very open minded about what my kids want to do (within reason naturally) but I am of the opinion that kids should have the ability to explore their own identity and that parents should only be hard on regulating the extremes (e.g. lips, noses, eyebrows etc, tattoo's, smoking, binge drinking and so forth).

I totally agree that it is far better to support them rather than risk injury or infection through doing something by dodgy means. Fortunately, I found a good and clean place that goes it properly, wearing gloves etc. and my two eldest have experienced no problems at all.

As I said before, my wife is of the opinion that we shouldn't ask either Matthew or Andrew and that we should wait for if, or when, they ask. I don't entirely disagree with her as such (since it must be their choice, which I agree with) but I personally don't see the harm and asking them, and if they don't want it done, at least they know they can if they want at some other time.

I'm not too concerned about Matthew getting it done, since he is reasonably close to 16 (the age my eldest two got it) but as for Andrew I do think he is a bit young (but that said I've seen boys about as young with it). But if he did want it, then there would be severe difficulty in saying no to him.

Matthew's birthday is on Friday (1st), so I think maybe I'll have a discreet word with my wife about it again.

What age did your son get his ear(s) pierced Mark?

[K.Williams]

colonel, why not ask your eldest & youngest what they would think about you getting an earring? even if you dont want it. it could be a bonding thing with your sons. it wouldnt be bad just to ask now would it? what if they would like to too?

[Marky Mark]

What age did your son get his ear(s) pierced Mark?

He's 11 now (just about to go to secondary school) and was 9 when he had his ears pierced.

However, to put another view, my nephews were only 2 and 4 when my brother had their ears pierced - obviously at that age it was my brother and his wife's decision rather that the boys' - but they've never had any problems either.

[The Colonel]

What age did your son get his ear(s) pierced Mark?

He's 11 now (just about to go to secondary school) and was 9 when he had his ears pierced.

However, to put another view, my nephews were only 2 and 4 when my brother had their ears pierced - obviously at that age it was my brother and his wife's decision rather that the boys' - but they've never had any problems either.

Thanks for replying Mark.

It would seem my fears about it being too young are unfounded, even for my 7 year old.

[Tim_2008]

What age did your son get his ear(s) pierced Mark?

He's 11 now (just about to go to secondary school) and was 9 when he had his ears pierced.

However, to put another view, my nephews were only 2 and 4 when my brother had their ears pierced - obviously at that age it was my brother and his wife's decision rather that the boys' - but they've never had any problems either.

Thanks for replying Mark.

It would seem my fears about it being too young are unfounded, even for my 7 year old.

So are you going to get Matthew and Andrew's ears pierced Colonel?
How many would he or they get, one or both?
What studs will you have as the inital ones, such as gold or sivler?

[Guest]

What age did your son get his ear(s) pierced Mark?

He's 11 now (just about to go to secondary school) and was 9 when he had his ears pierced.

However, to put another view, my nephews were only 2 and 4 when my brother had their ears pierced - obviously at that age it was my brother and his wife's decision rather that the boys' - but they've never had any problems either.

Thanks for replying Mark.

It would seem my fears about it being too young are unfounded, even for my 7 year old.

So are you going to get Matthew and Andrew's ears pierced Colonel?
How many would he or they get, one or both?
What studs will you have as the inital ones, such as gold or sivler?

tim_2008 is julie h.

[The Colonel]

What age did your son get his ear(s) pierced Mark?

He's 11 now (just about to go to secondary school) and was 9 when he had his ears pierced.

However, to put another view, my nephews were only 2 and 4 when my brother had their ears pierced - obviously at that age it was my brother and his wife's decision rather that the boys' - but they've never had any problems either.

Thanks for replying Mark.

It would seem my fears about it being too young are unfounded, even for my 7 year old.

So are you going to get Matthew and Andrew's ears pierced Colonel?
How many would he or they get, one or both?
What studs will you have as the inital ones, such as gold or sivler?

The only question I can really answer there is the second - one ear only.

I did ask my wife again last night about taking Matthew and Andrew, and she said she wasn't sure about it but that it was "up to me". Meaning that I'll get the blame from her parents and mine!

When I get home in a bit I will ask the both of them and see what they say.

[Marky Mark]

When I get home in a bit I will ask the both of them and see what they say.

Hope the chat goes OK. If they do want it piercing, you'll have chosen a really good time if, like mine, your kids are virtually at the start of the long summer holiday. If you take them reasonably quickly, they should get most of the healing done before they go back to school so no messing about with bits of tape to cover them up for PE, etc.

[The Colonel]

When I get home in a bit I will ask the both of them and see what they say.

Hope the chat goes OK. If they do want it piercing, you'll have chosen a really good time if, like mine, your kids are virtually at the start of the long summer holiday. If you take them reasonably quickly, they should get most of the healing done before they go back to school so no messing about with bits of tape to cover them up for PE, etc.

Surprisingly my wife had already asked them before I got home, even though she was the one who previously said we shouldn’t ask! She got a yes from both Matthew and Andrew; although Andrew was a little scared it would hurt apparently. I’ve asked her if she is really alright with it, and she said the kids were happy about it, so she’d let them get it.

Mark, you raise a good point, it will need to be done quickly before going back to school, although I probably won’t be able to take them any sooner than Thursday this week.

Need to get to bed; I’ve so much work to do it is a nightmare.

[Guest]

just a thought but andrew might not be so scared if he sees his brother get his pierced first?