should a 13 year old be allowed to pierce her belly button?

Question

Yeah, it's me again. my 13 year old wants her belly pierced just because all her "friends" have had it done. I asked her, if they all put wholes in their heads, would she want one, too. Any evidence that will make her understand that she's not ready?

Answer 1

You should not allow her to do this. I never would have even asked my parents to allow that when I was a teenager. I am 27 now, and I wasn't even allowed to have my ears pierced until I was in 9th grade. That is one hole per ear, that's it. Everyone else in my school had multiple holes in both ears, tongues pierced, belly buttons, and who knows what else. I think it's nasty and unnecessary. I did not fit into any groups in school, and that was fine with me. The few friends that accepted me for who I was are still my friends now. Everyone who was friends with each other because they were cool and fit into some kind of group, they are no longer friends. Even now, the peer pressure to fit it continues into adulthood. I think that the adults inflict more pressure on each other than kids do. If you don't fit a certain mold and conform to what people think you should be, then you are treated differently. I still do not care. Your daughter needs to understand that there will always be pressure to be part of a group and fit in. She needs to be able to make decisions that fit her life, not what her classmates want. As far as piercings, tattoos, etc., those are adult decisions to be made by adults. Right now you are the adult, you make the decision. When she is 18 and can pay for it herself, then she can choose.

Answer 2

its her body! Its hardly a tattoo requiring laser removal in years to come - Im a mum too. If she gets fed up she can just remove it, make sure she goes to a custom tattoo studio otherwise she could get infected and ulcerated - especially if she doesnt clean it several times daily with the special solution the CUSTOM tattoist/piercer will recommend and sell.

I understand exactly what you mean about peer pressure but shes jsut belonging to her peer group and friend and experimenting, you could make her wait until she's 14 to see if she hasnt changed her mind (which she wont have done) but then you run the risk of her doing a DIY belly piercing - nasty, the belly button area is HELIX pierced with a special needle that has a hole in in and removes a small amoiunt of skin - as well as being use donly obnce and better that a sewing needle - knitting needle - ouch, just think she could al;l damage each other with ice and knitting needles doing everyone elses belly button - take her to the shop yourself,that way you know its being done by profeesionals and you can check the place over - remeber miost peopel who run these shop are subculteral/different so dont be shocked when you see overly tattoo artists - there are also female piercers too, get online ans search, remember - cheapest isnt the best

Answer 3

It's not a good idea to do that. In fact, its a very very very bad idea. Belly Button piercings get infected extremely easily, even if you get it done professionally. They take longer to heal than any other piercing, and cause more trouble as well. Aside from those issues, your body is still growing, and likely to reject the piercing, especially since you are not a professional, and will most likely do the piercing wrong, and far too shallow. For these reasons, its best to have it done professionally, so that you can make sure to take the best care of it possible. Besides the health issues, your parents will most likely notice, and make you take it out, which will suck even more. Save yourself some trouble and wait a couple of years. I promise you, you'll be glad you did. EDIT: I see you added that you are seriously into athletics. Yes, that would add to the risk, only because of the added friction from running and dancing [both of which require tight outfits, which are constantly up against your skin], and the added sweating and stuff...basically, more bacteria and friction, more chance of infection. As for the anorexic part, that wouldn't make much of a difference, but congrats on getting over it!!!

Answer 4

No way. I am a mother of a 13 year old and I will not allow her to get pierced either. I think if they really want to get a piercing or tattoo they can wait until they are at least 18. I don't think it is something they need done. I don't think it is a bad thing at the right age. If something were to go wrong they would blame the parent for giving permission. There are more reasons not to get it done than to have it done. No one should be looking at her belly at that age anyway. Just my opinion.

Answer 5

Explain to her your concerns. Are you afraid of infection or something else? Then be sure to listen to her side. Does she want one just because her friends have one or does she think it will make her popular or does she just like the idea of having her belly button pierced? She's at that age that she just wants to fit in. Explain to her that there are other ways to fit in and that in a few years she may change her mind. Maybe compromise with her and set a reasonable age to get her belly button pierced. Say, "I'll let you do it for your x birthday." If she still wants it then, let her get it pierced.

Answer 6

There is no reason not to let her do it. If she hates it one day and takes it out then it will grow back fine or maybe just a little dot where the piercing used to be.
Let her know you arent a mean mom or uncool mom. Be glad she ASKED you and didnt just try to sneak somewhere and get it done (or have a friend try to pierce her, OUCH!).
Go to a clean, safe piercing place (maybe a tattoo and piercing shop) and have it done. You need to have her listen to the advice they give to her. The downside to belly button piercings is that they need EXTRA care. She can get them caught in shirts and they need to be properly cleaned EVERYDAY. Not just washed with soap. If you dont properly clean them they can get infected.
Maybe try suggesting getting ear piercings (just 1 or 2) but if she already has that just explain your concern. Ask he WHY she really wants it. Is it just cause her friends have it? Have her wear a fake one for a few days and ask her how she likes it and how it feels. She may decide against it later if you make her pretend it is real and clean it everyday and night. She may think it feels weird and uncomfortable. But if she wears a fake one for a few days and still likes it, then go ahead and let her have one. She can always take it out later if she hates it.
Make her earn the money doing chores to get it too.

Answer 7

My 13 year old wants hers done too!!!! Everyone in her class have it done.I did actually take her to the shop yesterday - it was closed!!! Now I am having second thoughts.My partner is against her having it done,thinks she is too young.I have my tongue and belly button done,and try to be a cool mum.There is a girl who lives in my street and got her belly button done when she was 10!!!!!!!!!! She is 12 now,and considered 'cool'.I honestly can't answer you,I'm in the same position.Every day I'm being constantly nagged about this,like Im a bad mum making her the odd one out.Kids!!!!

Answer 8

I have a friend who has a 13 yr old daughter who went through the same thing. But she allowed her to get it and then when her daughter realize how much work it was to keep it clean and its hurts for a while she took it out and hasn't asked for any thing pierce since.

Answer 9

I've had friends that had their belly button pierced before and a couple of them got infected, one of them got PG not saying she will, but it riped her belly, and now there's a ugly scar, Make her wait until she's 16, just a suggestion,

Answer 10

I can tell you my 13 year old won't. When they are 18 and not living in my house, then maybe.

My husband and I make those decisions, and if her friends are making her feel pressured to do this, what else could they be making her want to do.

What a scary time we parents face.....Best of luck to you, that is a decision you have to make for her, as you will have to sign to have it done, however, I think it is way to young...