. wrote:Personally I think that we have to be careful before we criticize too much parental decisions to pierce ears, because a lot of parents from minorities, other racial groups, etc. could take it to be demeaning to their heritage. There are whole continents where girls' ears are pierced at birth by nurses; it's the expected thing to do and it will hardly change, either.
While I appreciate your understanding; speaking from a "minorities" stand point (Hispanic), I don't take the least bit of offense to any demeaning comments. I am proud of my culture, and am blessed to have one and nothing anyone says could "demean" my culture in my eyes. Sadly, some people don't have any idea where they come from culturally. My ears were pierced at a few weeks of age by my great-grandmother who was also a midwife. That's what my mother told me, since I don't remember it, including any pain that might be associated with it. I, for one am glad it was done at such a young age that I don't remember it at all. And I have enjoyed years of wearing earings that accentuate my lovely ear lobes

Since then, I have had a second set of "holes" pierced into my ears as an adult. I felt no pain at all!!! I had both my daughters ears pierced as soon as the pediatrician would allow it at 2 months old, would of done it sooner if possible. They didn't cry at all!! If my great grandmother were still alive, she would of done it the old-fashioned way with a needle, some thread and some ice!!! Both of them look lovely with their earrings in their birthstones. My oldest loves it when she gets new earrings as gifts. As "barbaric" as this custom might seem to some of you, it really is not painful at all. As far as having the choice of having my ears pierced as a kid, I'm glad my mother made it, if I don't feel like wearing earrings, I don't. And you can barely see the "hole" in my ear at all when I don't wear earrings. I do, however respect everyone's opinions.
