In this day and age, while there are still some traditional views of gender that differentiate men and women, the line is more blurred than before.
Still, there are certain debates of what is meant for men and for women that haven’t been settled. Amongst them is the piercing debate.
As a parent, it’s understandable to be concerned about your son piercing his ears. You’re probably asking yourself, whether or not he should, at what age and on what ear?
We are here to help you answer all these questions as well as offer possible tips on how to do it.
Should a Boy Get His Ears Pierced?
The practice of ear piercing has been around since time immemorial. It was, however, predominantly a feminine act. While some cultures were more lenient about men with ear piercings, in most there was a stigma that surrounded the act.
Today, more men are embracing the practicing, thanks to artists like ASAP Rocky, or footballers like Pogba and Neymar. Still, a boy or guy will get an awkward look when spotted with a piercing.
That is why there is a lot of emphases put on the type of earing men wear, commonly known as “stud earring”. This is to reduce the femininity attached to the idea and make it more acceptable for men to wear earrings.
As a parent, it’s okay to be worried as to whether or not your son should get a piercing, especially if he’s still young. There is always the question of how society will treat him.
The truth is; however, more and more people care less about whether a guy pierces his ears or not. At the end of the day, it has to do with personal preference.
If it’s something your son wants, then you should let him get his ears pierced. He can always remove the piercing if he changes his mind later.
What Age Should a Boy Get His Ear Pierced?
Age is a factor to consider when it comes to ear piercings. While the are no legal age restrictions, it’s more of a safety measure than a societal norm. Piercing the ears involves tearing into the flesh which could lead to possible infections.
As a child, the immune system is still developing, which is why even for girls, ear piercings are recommended only after 6 months. The same applies to boys where it’s a cultural norm to have their ears pierced.
Still, the matter of age and piercings for boys is a little more complicated. There’s also the reason behind wanting a piercing that parents should consider. If a boy has an older sister, for example, he may want to get a piercing simply because the sister has one.
In such a case as a parent, you may want to wait it out and see if it’s still something he wants when he’s older. That way he doesn’t end up regretting it in the future.
Most parents agree that the best age to have a boy pierce his ears is at least 12 years old. At this age, he is more aware of himself and his choices and is more socially conscious. Moreover, he would be old enough to take care of the piercing himself, as opposed to if he was 5 years old.
When it comes down to it, it more about how comfortable you are as a parent, having your son’s ears pierced at a particular age. Some parents think that 5 years old is too young while others feel it’s a proper age.
As long as it’s not prejudiced about your son being a boy, you can decide to have them wait or pierce their ears at whatever age.
What Side Should a Boy Get His Ear Pierced?
A lot of the stigma surrounding boys piercing their ears has to do with the meaning attached to it.
In the past ear, piercings meant that you were feminine because it was predominantly a feminine practice. Later on, when more men came out of the closet about their sexuality, they wore an earring in the right ear as a statement.
As a result, if a guy gets his right ear pierced, he was considered gay. Similarly, if a guy got his right ear pierced, he was considered straight.
The type of earrings worn also made a statement. Ear piercings for men didn’t mean that they could wear feminine earrings which is how stud earrings came to be.
Today, however, while the stigma of a left or right piercing still exists for a boy, fewer people are concerned with it.
Still, as a parent who’s worried about your son sending the wrong message, it’s better to keep the meanings of the different piercings in mind. That is for when your son decides to get one.
My Son Wants Both Ears Pierced, is It OK?
For a boy, piercing their ears is a personal preference, although they have to consider the statement they’re making.
While before the piercing made a sexual statement, today most boys get their ears pierced as more of a fashion statement or trend, other than cultural reasons. Having both ears pierced, on the other hand, can be quite a statement.
While people today care less about what side a boy pierces his ears, having both ears pierced is considered emasculating by some.
Some, however, consider it intriguing and edgy. Regardless of people’s opinions, more men are seen with both piercings. Their reasoning usually is that they have two ears, which really, is a sound argument.
As a parent, it’s okay to have your son pierce both ears in this day and age. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of choice, because people will have an opinion regardless. The key is to be confident in the choice to have both ears pierced.
Tips for Piercing Your Boy.
If you do decide to get your son’s ears pierced, here are some tips to help make the process easier and safer:
Talk about it first. It’s important to understand why your son wants a piercing before giving in. It is also equally important for him to understand what getting a piercing would mean and the possible stigma. That way you are sure the piercing is something he is sure about getting and not a passing phase.
Decide on the proper age. Aside from talking, consider the age he is getting his piercing. While there is no right age, it would be ideal to wait until he is responsible enough to take care of the piercing.
Have a professional do it. While you can pierce your son at home, it’s better to have someone trained to do it. That way you reduce the chances of an infection and have a less painful process.
Avoid piercings that take a long time to heal. Piercings like cartilage piercings take a long time to heal and therefore increase the chances of infection. So, stick to the earlobes, for now, he can always get other piercings when he’s older.
Follow after-care instructions to the letter. To avoid being infected, ensure you or your son follow the aftercare instructions properly. Ensure you clean the piercing with a disinfectant and turn it at least thrice a day.
Conclusion
Piercing your son’s ear at the end of the day will is more of a preference.
It depends on how comfortable you are with the piercing, as well as where and when he gets it. Keep in mind, however, it’s also his choice at the end of the day.
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Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.