Petition calls for baby ear piercing ban

“It is a form of child cruelty,” creator of the petition, Susan Ingram writes. “Severe pain and fear is inflicted upon infants unnecessarily. It serves no purpose other than to satisfy the parent's vanity. Other forms of physically harming children are illegal- this should be no different.”

The petition on 38 degrees has gained a lot of support – and isn’t far off its 25,000 signature goal after just 4 days. “Smacking a child is abuse, so how come sticking metal rods through their ears is not abuse?!” one supporter commented. “We should be modifying babies for cosmetic reasons. I'm not against having ears pierced, I just believe it should be the choice of the person having holes put in them,” another added.

Your opinons - here's what you think

Nellie Larlah says: "In many countries such as India, it's the custom to pierce a baby's ears and never considered as cruel. There was no 'severe pain and fear' ' inflicted' upon my daughter when her ears were pierced on her 1st Birthday. She was breastfeeding at the time and remained happy before, during and after the event. The wording in this petition is just sensationalist, trying to force emotional support for someone's judgmental stance. Really, it would be far better to ban junk food, fizzy pop and stuff that really affects a baby's health and well being."

Lorna Newman says: "Ban it! I think it's horrible, if a child wants their ears pierced, wait until they are old enough to look after and clean them, what if you have your child's ears pierced and they grow up and don't want them done? I know they can take them out, but they're still left with holes, scarring and also, I think it looks tacky and just plain wrong!"

Katie Cooper says: "My eldest had hers done at 2 and did not cry at all. She wanted earrings like nanny and I let her. Don't get me wrong I would never pierce a babies ears as I don't see the point in it and don't get who it benefits but if people say I'm cruel for piercing my 2-year-old's ears, carry on. I know myself it didn't phase her so refuse to feel bad about it."

Lisa Marshall says: "Ban ban ban!! Definitely needs to be a minimum age!! It should be a child's choice whether they want a hole in their ears, not a parents! Both my girls had theirs done by choice. Eldest was 7/8 and my youngest was 5 because she desperately wanted them done cos her sister had them done."

Cassie Pearmain says: I don't think it should be banned. It's cruel to inject a child with an illness. Every parent has the right to decide whether they want their kids ears pierced or not. Do I think my mum abused me? No. She got mine done when I was about 6 weeks old. To be honest I wish she'd had the piercings I've got now done back then cause I wouldn't remember the pain!"

Kim Hopson says: "I wanted my ears done when I was about 6 years old, and I had trouble with it ever since, I remember the pain for weeks, it got infections, so I let it grow over. I had it done again when I was 17 I sat next to a toddler she screamed like I have never heard and her mother said to her you look stunning sweetness it will be over in a minute. She then had to buy a big pair of gold hoops to go with the gold bangle that she was already wearing. Why? It will probably be ripped out by playing next."

So what do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

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