Shocking thing I saw at work today...(NPR)

SarahJean0

So today at work (I'm a teacher) one of the 5th grade girls came in and she now has her lip pierced!!! My jaw about dropped to the floor. I'm happy she's not one of my students so I didn't have to deal with that today, but I guess the principal called home about it and her mothers argument was "well if girls can have their ears pierced, she can have her lip" 

I guess I kind of see her side but ear piercings are much more the social norm. I guess it was a huge distraction to the other students.

Wondering what your thoughts are on this. There's no way in hell I'd allow this on my 5th grader. Is this hypocritical because I would allow ear piercing?

KellersPrag

Wow. I don't think that's OK, and no I don't think you're hypocritical.

I personally believe that there is a reason that you need to be 18 to sign your own papers for piercings, tattoos, etc. I understand ear piercing at a younger age - it has become a social norm, as you said.

Then again, I also believe in schools enforcing the dress codes that say no shorts, no tank tops, etc.

catdwg83

That's awful. At one point I had 20-something piercings in various places on my body, but damnit I was over 18 when I got them. That is completely inappropriate for an 11 or 12 year old.

FWIW though I do not like baby girl ear piercings either. I think they should be a little older.

roxyttandme

Not ok IMO. I also don't care for babies with their ears pierced. I got mine done at 7-8 and perhaps that is a bit young. Yes, I will be that mom that makes sure all v neck shirts don't show cleavage and my kid isn't wearing booty shorts- even in high school. 

I think it was good that the school called.  I would have as a teacher/administrator....

KellersPrag

catdwg83:

That's awful. At one point I had 20-something piercings in various places on my body, but damnit I was over 18 when I got them. That is completely inappropriate for an 11 or 12 year old.

FWIW though I do not like baby girl ear piercings either. I think they should be a little older.

Yep. I have 7 ear piercings, a belly button ring, and two tattoos. All except for my first set of ear piercings came after the age of 18. I have no problem with young girls getting their ears pierced when their parents say OK, but only after they make the request. I don't really agree with piercing a newborn's ears.

Holly_1007

I'm a piercer by nature, I've had over 16 piercings in my life (not including holes that closed that I had re-done a few times)

most of these were done after I turned 18 and the others were done after I was 12 (aside from my 1st hole in my ears, my mom had them done when I was young)

The school had every right to call the mom, there is most likely something in the dresscode that says no facial piercings.

If my child in 5th grade asked for a piercing they would need a really good argument and it couldn't be anything on the face.  

just my .02

linzeek44

Most schools I've worked at have a "no piercings besides ears" policy as part of the dress code (preK-8 schools), so I haven't really run into that.

I'm not into piercings in general, but I think it's up to the kid/parent to decide if it's acceptable. Will my 10 year old have a pierced lip? Nope.

Would it irk me if it wasn't against any policy and the principal called home to complain? Yes. If you won't allow something in school, it should be a policy beforehand.  

Jenelle101

teeta_81:

I'm also a teacher.  I see the strangest things.  I teach 6th grade and there are a lot of things I would never allow my child to do that some of my students are doing.  Is it hypocritical that I have Facebook, but wouldn't allow my 11 year old to?  I don't think so.  I don't think a 5th grader is mature enough to make the decision to have her lip pierced.  Does she realize she might have a hole or mark there later in life?   AARRRGGGHHHH, I'm really sick of parents letting their kids do things like this.  I'm sure a lot of people out there disagree, but that's my opinion.

I had a kindergartener with a FB account! Yes, a 5-YEAR-OLD! Of course her mom is very strict about who her friends are, and she only goes on when her mom is home, but STILL! The funny thing is, this is one of the more responsible parents! 

monksmama

intheflowers:

I don't really see how it's any of the school's business. It's up to the girl's parents, period. 5th grade seems young to me, but a little older and I'd consider it if my kid made a case for it. A little rebellion or self-expression in the form of altering one's appearance is ok with me. 

I totally agree.

A tattoo is forever, but a piercing? I really don't think I would throw a fit about it as long as the kid is mature and responsible enough for proper care.

But then again, my kid rocked a blue mohawk last summer and had purple fingernails about a month ago.

FWIW, I won't pierce my daughter's ears unless she asks more than once and is capable of proper care.

MrsAB1316

intheflowers:

I don't really see how it's any of the school's business. It's up to the girl's parents, period. 5th grade seems young to me, but a little older and I'd consider it if my kid made a case for it. A little rebellion or self-expression in the form of altering one's appearance is ok with me. 

While I usually agree with statements such as these, here lately I can see why schools and government get involved with how we raise our kids.  Thanks to people like the crazy "Tan Mom" and all those nutjobs on Toddlers and Tiaras...some parents just can't be trusted to make safe, educated decisions for their children.   I personally feel like I can make the judgement call for my kids, but clearly there are some parents who can't.   That poor girl will eventually take that lip ring out and will have a permanent scar where it was.  

SarahJean0

From observing this student before and also having her little sister in my class, I think this is a case of questionable parenting. The girls are constantly in trouble for disruptive/disrespectful behavior. Just today I had to send the sister (8 years old) to the office for inappropriate clothing (very short shorts). Also, I see the 5th grade sister wearing her bikini top under her clothing occasionally, and have heard the 5th grade teachers talk about having to speak to her about stuffing her bra. It actually breaks my heart to see how ignored/misguided these girls are.

The piercing thing is hard for me because of the double standard...how do you explain that ears are ok but lips aren't? As far as I know there is no dress code that addresses this in our district.

I just pray that they dont allow the girls to get any tattoos before high school.

L8kissie

I wouldn't be cool with it either, but I have a bunch of seventh and eighth graders with pierced lips, nose, eyebrows, and the webbing of the hand to match their rainbow hair. I think it is becoming more common. 

ckbolan

I don't like ear piercings on little children, but to each their own. But to put a hole in their childs lip is a bit much. Hopefully it doesn't get infected. I had a belly ring when I was 19, went to a clean facility, and made sure that I cleaned it every day and even went to the doctors when I noticed something wasn't right. My body just rejected it. The mouth is a highly sensitve place and can get infected very, very easy. Not to mention getting septicaemia being so young and not being able to care for it all day.

Blackrose1918

I personally don't think it's much of the schools business. The lovely thing about piercings for "younger" people is that as long as they aren't gauged to a really large size, they will eventually close. I would adamantly argue that tattoos aren't appropriate at that age, but piercings are truly temporary.

mommy510

intheflowers:

allierhiana1:

intheflowers:

I don't really see how it's any of the school's business. It's up to the girl's parents, period. 5th grade seems young to me, but a little older and I'd consider it if my kid made a case for it. A little rebellion or self-expression in the form of altering one's appearance is ok with me. 

 *Gets popcorn ready* 

The subject at hand is nowhere near interesting enough for popcorn. 

But popcorn is amazing. I would totally eat it anytime just because.