Boys and earrings? ok or not?

Question

I let my daughter get her ears pierced when she was 8. My son is coming up to that age now, and he says he wants both of his ears pierced.

I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. Earrings, especially as a a pair, seem to me at least to be particularly girlie or gangster, and I would not let him wear a dress or knuckle dusters.

On the other hand, letting my girl do it at that age but not my boy stinks of double standards.

Answer 1

I feel that earrings are for girls. If your son really wants one have him wait until he's older.

Answer 2

I have 4 boys oldest is 12 going 13 he had his one ear pierced when he was 10. My 10, 8 and 5 yr old have never asked. Boys don't usually wear two earrings. In fact most wear a stud. With Justin, I can bet he doesn't even know where his stud is now. He probably wore it for hmmmmm maybe a month and a bit. The pierced hole has now closed up. I really think they should wait till their 13th. birthday. At that age it becomes something special and they are able to take care of things better.

Answer 3

I can;t believe people still say this. A long time ago, maybe in the 70s or earlier, it was very rare for a man to have a pierced ear at all, so if the RIGHT ear was pierced, that was supposed to mean the man was gay. But now it is very common for men to have pierced ears or other body parts. So anyone who is still saying that is truly ignorant.

Answer 4

I'd suggest letting him wear some clip-on or magnetic earrings around and see how he likes them -- will get made fun of? Probably. Will it change his mind about getting them pierced? Maybe, maybe not.

If he does a "trial run" with clip-ons and still wants them, it's up to you if you want to allow him to do it. You're right, it would be hypocritical of you to say your daughter can and your son can't. I think it all depends on how much you want to up hold the stereotypes of gender roles. It's a tough decision, good luck.

Answer 5

I don't think it is a double standard issue. Earrings on a girl is feminine. It isn't necessary for a boy to have earrings. He may just want him b/c his friends have them not necessarily his sister. I don't know, I don't have a son but my daughter has two half-brothers who are 11 and 13 (my daughter is16 months with her ears pierced.) I can't see them wanting their ears pierced, but I suppose it is essentially up to you.

Answer 6

I agree with most other people here, I don't think earrings are for boys, Just tell him he can't (if you don't want him to have his ears pierced) because earrings are for girls! If he is only 8 he should understand that. Don't comprimise your feelings I mean, if your boy wanted to wear boxers instead of briefs or underwear, would you let your girl if she wanted to? Probly not because they are for boys just as earrings are for girls.
Weird comparison but thats all I could think of off the cuff :)

Good luck to you, Toni Lynne :)

Answer 7

As long as my son was fully aware of the social implications and the possible repercussions from his peers -and- was still wanting it done, then I'd let him do it. Like someone above said - the earrings don't change who he is or the values that you have taught him about living. And, piercings can be easily removed & allowed to grow closed if he ever changes his mind about having them.

Answer 8

I see this is a hard choice to make because if you let him get one ear pierce he could look gangster at a young age and if both are pierced he could look like a girl and be made fun of easily. but one way to look at it is its not permitted so maybe you should let him. i am not a parent but i am 23 and do have a 4 year old sister and 9 year old brother and have helped raise them

Answer 9

Double standards do exist and as a parent everyone tries to avoid it but double earrings on a boy??? I have seen it done before and its not the bad (as long as they are studs) but if you don't feel comfortable with your son having both ears pierce just compromise and let him get one done...who knows maybe he will like just one ear pierced and then its a win-win situation

Answer 10

Tell your boy said ear piercing is for girls, and ya personally i think you are right, very girlie and gangster, tell him said its not cool at all. On the other hand the devastating side effect for male ear piercing is that it greatly affects his future, my father used to tell me that he wouldn't ever consider employing any person (male) who has earrings or even hole marks at their ear (eventhough they are not wearing the earings during the job interview)

the general perception is that male who has pierces made on their body are more towards the gangsterism type, ask your boy whether he ever seen any doctors or lawyers wearing earrings? No... it is so unethical for male proffesionals to have earings not even hole marks at their ear...

Answer 11

I'm not one to answer this with a popular opinion. I hate the fad of boys wearing earrrings, one or two. I especially hate those things that make your earlobes have this huge hole in them, it looks ridiculous.

If you really don't want your son to have earrings, then don't let him get them. No, it's not a double standard.