How do convince my parents to allow me to get tattooed or pierced?

Question

I know all the risks, the aftercare, etc. I just habe to convince my folks.

By the way, I'm 13

Answer 1

I'd say a tattoo is out of the question, but a piercing may be possible.
First of all, are you mature and responsible and do you do well in school and do you give your parents much trouble? If you're a good kid, you have a better chance I think.
To prove that you're ready for a piercing, make an outline (yes, do some homework!!) of the risks and of the proper aftercare to eliminate or reduce those risks. If they see you've done your research, they may be more willing.
Contact your local piercing shop and see if they will pierce someone underage with parental consent. Find out if it is a common practice and if they've had any problems with the younger piercers.
Have a plan set up, such as saving your allowance to pay for this yourself. Also, use good behaviour as bargaining power. "Since I've been on the honor roll all year...." or if your behaviour has not been so good, then set goals...like if you don't get in trouble between now and the end of the school year, or if you bring your grades up and make the honor roll between now and the end of the school year.
Be mature no matter what they're response. If they insist, "NO" ask the reasons why and what you can do to change their mind. (all in a rational and calm manner of course).
Remind them that piercings are temporary and if there's a problem due to your behaviour or due to physical problems, it can always be removed.

Answer 2

You could always purchase some India Ink and safety pins and pierce/tattoo yourself and then have fun regretting your tattoo until you're old enough to go to a professional and get a coverup or laser removal... or get an infection and end up in the ER.

If you go to a place that will work on underage kids without parental consent, you have to wonder what else they're skipping out on... some "underground" places don't even use an autoclave!

At 13 your body isn't done growing yet and piercings may very well reject. (Plus most 13-year-olds don't have the best hygine.) It isn't a good idea to pierce certain body parts until you're done growing.

Just wait until you're out of your parents' house and see how much you still want a tattoo or a particular piercing. You'd be amazed how much you can change during one year of highschool, let alone after going to college. I've done quite a few coverups from people who changed their minds and believed that they'd always have a certain belief system...

You obviously don't know all the risks... There are different kinds of infections you can get, some fatal. It's idiots who self-pierce or go to their buddies that put a bad name on the Body Modification culture.

I've pierced and tattooed others, but using aseptic technique, common sense, as well as knowledge gained during apprenticeship.

Answer 3

At 13, you're too young for tattoos anyway. If I were to have gotten a tattoo at 13, I'd be furiously trying to cut off that patch of skin or trying to cover it up. Your tastes will change greatly in the next few years, don't get a tattoo.

Most places won't even pierce kids your age, so either way, you might be waiting a while on that too.

I know parents very well and most are not going to budge on their opinions.

If you want to get piercings, start with that, but nothing extreme. Show them a site like:
http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/What_Parents_Need_To_Know_FAQ
Which explains about the procedures and whys of body mods. Just don't push your luck. If they say no, leave it at that and try again later. Whining and arguing show that you are anything but mature and also, going behind their back about it shows the most disrespect and stupidity ever. They'll find out and they'll be more mad about that as opposed to you just waiting until you are legal age.

In my honest opinion, you don't HAVE to convince them of anything, you just have to be mature and responsible and they don't' HAVE to let you do it. Just wait until you are 18 and able to mod yourself legally. At that point, they really can't say much about your choices.

Answer 4

You need to read "Dress For Success". Of course it depends on what you plan to do with the rest of your life. You won't likely be a banker or salesman or any business where you meet a lot of people, not with a pin through your lip. As the book says, "Even in California people expect a banker to look like a banker." There are certain businesses where you just don't wear pins in your skin or unnatural hair colors or unusual clothing. And you don't have to go into those businesses, but it's good to know about the choice before you reject or accept it. Your parents have been trying to keep you together long enough to make an informed decision, that's all.

Answer 5

At 13...?? I really think you should wait... I'm not sure what legalities there are where u live but in Australia it can be considered a form of child abuse allowing your child to be tattooed under the legal age. There have been cases here where Children Services have steped in and charged the parents for neglect. Do you really want to put your parents through that kind of trauma?
I suggest you do what the rest of had to do, and wait til you are the legal age. Waiting sux, but its worth it in the long run!

Answer 6

Write up a clear report with explanations of what you want and why.

Include the pros and cons, and why you think it is best to do it now and not wait.

You will most likely NOT get a tatoo, since most reputable tatoo artists will not tatoo a 13 year old.

However, it is possible to get certain peircings with parental permission. And showing you are grown enough to recognize the consequences may help sway your parents.

Answer 7

Just wait until you are legal age and do it then..

You should also think about going for jobs in the future, and if you will miss out on opportunities because of them.

I got a tatoo when I was 18... always wanted one and went down to the shop and paid my $90 and a week later (after the swelling had gone down) I hated it. It was crooked and looked like crap. After $2 of getting it removed I would never get another one!

Answer 8

the biggest thing to me would be to show maturity. do some research on the aftercare and present them with well thought out facts and a plan for how to care for whatever you want to do. also, it wouldn't hurt to do extra stuff around the house and show that you are adult enough to make your own decisions in the matter of your body.

Answer 9

You saved your money and that you are paying for it, not the parents. Show them your pre-chosen tattoo and how many peircings you want to have and where they will be put.

Quit whining, they will quit listening.

Tattoos are expensive! Seen those tattoo shows? How old are you near 18? Maybe wait til then.

Answer 10

5 years can make all the difference in the world. Wait to get one, and give your parents a break.