A 13 year-old made headlines last week when she had her nipple pierced. Whats the fuss? says Grace, 15, who loves her belly-button ring. Not only is it dangerous, its very ugly, counters Kierra, 13.
| Some ignorant people think that if you have piercings you are a monster or rapist, junkie or punk with no occupation or ambition. Thats ridiculous. |
Grace Lipski, 15
I was one week old when I got my ears pierced. I was nine when I got multiple ear piercings, 14 when I got my nose pierced and 15 when I got my belly button done (I wasnt asked my age because I look older). If I get another, it will be on my face. Piercing my genitals and nipples doesnt appeal, but Ive definitely become addicted!
I feel like saying to people who object, Dont look at me if you dont want to see it. Piercing isnt a big deal to the person being pierced. Theyre not hurting anyone but themselves. Its other people who have problems with it.
Just because people with piercings look different, theyre seen in a negative light. Some ignorant people think that if you have piercings you are a monster or rapist, junkie or punk with no occupation or ambition. Thats ridiculous. Its not like piercing changes someones soul or personality. The pierced people Ive met are easy-going and open-minded. They dont judge others because they know how it feels.
Body piercing is attractive and original. Im glad you can get your nose pierced at any age. It should stay that way. If government legislation tried to prevent me from getting pierced I would be so angry. Its totally out of order because its a complete invasion of privacy. I still cant believe that for a belly piercing youre supposed to be 16 years old. Its just silly. There should be a national survey to see what children think because, as it stands, adults have all the power and we cant do anything about it. Thats wrong.
Im very close to my parents and I discussed my piercings with both of them before I had them done. My mum encouraged me to get my belly done because she thinks I have a nice stomach. She said Its up to you, but my dad isnt particularly into piercings. Hes a bit old-fashioned but he cant really do anything about it.
The way I see it, its your body and its up to you what you do with it. We need laws to discourage things like underage sex. Having sex too young can damage your body much more than a piercing. Getting pierced is different. Young people should be able to do it when they feel ready. They can make that decision themselves. The only thing I regret is the cost. My nose set me back 7 and my belly 20, which is outrageous. The price can put young people off.
Of course, safety is an issue. I was aware there were risks in having my belly button pierced, but I didnt care. Lets face it, life is full of risks and if you want to do something, I say do it and dont hold back. There should be better health, safety and hygiene investigations, but bad things can happen no matter how much you do this. Maybe if tighter rules where introduced parents would accept that their children want piercings and be less afraid.
Parents should remember that piercings can close up. They should worry more about tattoos theyre expensive and unattractive and theyre there for life.
Kierra Box, 13
People with millions of piercings look terrible. They take it too far. It becomes a weird addiction. When I think of facial piercing I see these horrible, metal faces. I cant stand tongue piercing either because of all the gunk thats gets stuck in the stud when people eat. As for genital piercing, its disgusting. Whos going to see your private parts anyway? Its not like you can show them off.
A kid who wants multiple piercings should definitely be stopped. If you cant have sex before youre 16, why should you be allowed to have studs in your nipples?
Besides, there are too many safety risks. If youre young and you go somewhere dodgy on your own, anything could happen because there are slimy, perverted people out there. They shouldnt be anywhere near teenage girls most intimate parts even if it is their job. On top of that, you can get infected and that can be really nasty.
I think children should have to get parental permission for every piercing, except when theyre in ears and noses. Kids would be protected if they had to get their parents advice and consent. If parental permission isnt needed, you could get people getting drunk and deciding to have everything pierced. Some kids do it just to rebel, so making parental permission necessary would cut down on something they might later regret.
The government should concentrate on making piercing shops safer. There are still places that are really unhygienic which gives parents even more reason to worry. If youre going to have a new law, youve also got to make people stick to it. Its hard because teenagers arent meant to have underage sex, for example. But they do. I know one girl who wanted to get her nose pierced and decided to do it herself with a sewing needle. The stud wouldnt even go in because the hole was bent. It was ridiculous. She risked pain and infection and it looks stupid. The only thing that could be worse is a tattoo because thats forever.
The piercers should be the ones who get prosecuted if they dont check ID like retailers who sell cigarettes. But parents also have to play their part. Most want to protect their children from any kind of risk, but there are parents who agree with piercings. My dads got his ear pierced and he wants both my little brothers to have theirs done. Theyre only three and five. My Mum is dead against it.
Thats another thing. To get children pierced when theyre babies or toddlers is sick. First up, making a decision about something invasive for a child that young is disgusting and unfair. Secondly, babies and toddlers arent fashion accessories like poodles with bows and ribbons. Kids might always bear the scars of a piercing they didnt even choose themselves. Its all about being mature enough to make your own, balanced decision. And under 16, were too young to do that.
About the team
Interviews by editors Clio Turton, 17, and Stuart Fletcher, 16, and reporter, Katherine Faulkner, 12. This article appeared in The Independent on Sunday.
