When should young people be able to choose the way they look?
| My parents would go absolutely bananas if I came home with a tattoo. |
Gavin Mather, 12, Cowgate
You should be able to have body piercings with consent at the age of eight, but without consent at the age of 18. At 18 it's not up to your mam or dad what you have done.
When they're about 15, young people should be able to wear what they want, but any younger than that they could go out with too much on and be seen as 18 or something and other things could happen.
Lisa Handyside, 14, Gosforth
I'm not really allowed to have many piercings. I've got my ears done but I will be allowed more when I'm 16.
Young people should be allowed to dress any way that they want 'cos it's their own life. I dress the way I do because I want to.
If I came home with a tattoo my parents would go off it, but, like body piercing, it depends on what it was like. Some people change to fit in with the crowds.
Kerry Patterson, 11, West Denton
I think you should be able to have body piercings and tattoos about the age of 13. Young people should be able to dress the way they want without their parents telling them what to wear because it's up to them.
Emma Burrows, 13, Gosforth
I think you should be able to have body piercings or tattoos at the age of 13. Young people should be able to dress anyway they want to without their parents' permission.
If I came home with a tattoo I would probably get grounded for life. I know people who have changed their hair to fit in.
Damian Mark, 12, Byker
I think you should be able to have body piercings or tattoos at 13 or 14 because you're a teenager. Yes, young people should be able to dress any way they want because it's what they like.
Daniel O'Donnel, 15, Chapell Park
To get tattoos or body piercings you should be 18 because that's the law. It's when you're an adult.
You should be able to dress any way you want as long as it's got no swearing on it or as long as they're not walking around naked. It's got nothing to do with the parents really. People dress the way they want to express themselves.
Bridgett Sewell, 14, North Tyneside
I think you should be able to have tattoos or body piercings around 13, because that's when everybody wants it done. I don't think young people should be able to dress any way they want. Parents have the control really of what you do.
Gary Mclen, 16, Wideopen
I think you should be able to get body piercings and tattoos at any age but you should always ask your mam and dad. You're going to find yourself in trouble if you don't.
If I had to say an age it would be around 16 because you're starting to get older and you should be able to start expressing yourself more.
Young people should be able to wear what they want without their parents' consent. When you're in school you have to wear a uniform and then when you get out of school that's your chance to wear what you want to wear.
My parents would go absolutely bananas if I came home with a tattoo and they would probably make us get it removed or something.
David Antony, 15, Wideopen
I am not too sure what age you should be able to have body piercings because most of them are only temporary, but for tattoos I think you should be 16.
Young people should be able to dress any way they want because its all about individuality and your parents have got no right to tell you what you can and cannot wear.
Leona O'Sullivan, 14, Gosforth
I think you should be allowed to have body piercings at 15 and 16 for tattoos.
You should be able to choose what you want to wear without your parents telling you because they don't have to wear the clothes.
About the team
Interviews by Emma Dickman, 10 and Dean Bransby, 12. Junior Jury is a weekly column published in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
