Advice with Teenage Daughters & Piercings

[violet]

as others said, at least she asked - not to mention, naval piercings are not generally on display (unlike a facial piercing, which may cause problems with employment) and have become one of the most common body adornment out there. if the girl in question is responsible, she shouldn't have any real problems with infection. what people fail to realize is that if you DO NOT TOUCH AN OPEN WOUND WITH DIRTY HANDS, you won't get an infection. most people basically don't take care of things and of course, problems arise.

as someone who worked as a piercing assistant for years, i highly recommend doing the research on the shop you go to (cheapest usually doesn't mean the best) and really instilling the fact that keeping the area clean (just use dial soap to clean off "crusty" fluids while in the shower anyway - no neosporin, ointments, lotions, etc....and NO PICKING) and comfortable (no waistbands resting on it during healing) are the best ways to heal any open wound.

also, some people are not ideally built for this piercing (the navel should be well defined - unfortunately, chubbier girls probably shouldn't get this piercing) and will probably face problems if they go ahead and get it anyway. the piercer should be able to help the client make that decision.

hope it worked out, either way.

[Kitsune06]

'Self Mutilation' is taking it a bit far. I believe that line stands where teens are damaging themselves for the sake of damage... a sign of deep depression.

Myself, I started with ear pierces and didn't have a single 'body' pierce until I was 18 and able to make that decision as an adult. True, I started 'stretching' my pierces at around 16, but no body pierces...

It may just be a trend, or it may be a genuine interest... I just wanted to point out that it's *very* far from self-mutilation, unless she's taking needles home and putting them through skin for the h*ll of it, or cutting herself in random slashes... piercing for aesthetics are different...

...but... it could be a good 'lesson' for her. Navel pierces are pretty darn painful. I mean really. If you wanted to say 'ok, but... it hurts' and look at BMEzine.com, pushed 12g for the pierce size (better healing, less tearing etc) it'd hurt a bit going in... but... if she wants a piercing, not just something to show off to her friends, that's what she's gotta be in for.
oh, and navels sometimes abcess a little, but it's not much to worry about. just KEEP IT CLEAN.

I say this after having had 12 pierces at the height of my 'career'... down to 10 now...

[RoadRaven]

Hard one - so many opinions.

Our attitude/stance has been that they can have ears pierced once they are 16.

Any other piercings as well as tattoos they have to wait til they are 18 - belly piercings, tattoos in this country have to have parent permission if under 18.

Our parental reasoning??? You are making a permanent alteration to your body and I believe you should have a more adult reasoning behind it and understand the consequences for life. I know some of these piercings will grow out if left - but belly piercings are more likely to infect, and face piercings - if you connect with something hard like a fist, the ground, a wall... will rip and bleed and scar.

Our children know our reasoning - not because we think piercings/tats are silly, or socially limiting or any of the other reasons listed in this thread. They know we have no objection to what they choose with their bodies, but they do know we want them to be old enough to be able to make a fully informed decision regarding their bodies. And I think they appreciate that.

[RoadRaven]

Oh... and I meant to say, Mr S... I think taking the line you are is the right one. Letting them know you don't agree, but allowing this to happen (as she doesn't need your premission to do it) is the right stance.

We need to pick our battles where we can - and as she can do this with or without you, best wishes