A private junior high and high school for girls with behavioral problems, emotional problems or learning problems, ages 13-17, in Arizona.
So you're sitting at the dinner table and suddenly notice 3 or 4 new piercings in your daughter's ear as she flips her hair back. Or perhaps you come home to find her staring at her pierced bellybutton in the mirror. Maybe it's your son who comes home with a silver spike pierced through his eyebrow. How are you supposed to react? Well most parents fall into one of two categories when it comes to the topic of piercings: those who are totally against the idea for whatever reason, and those who are somewhat okay with it but definitely concerned. Whatever your feelings are on the matter, it's probably best that you try not to freak out in this situation since it rarely leads to a good discussion. At the same time, not saying anything even if you're fine with it isn't likely to be a good solution either.
Whether your child is getting a piercing or already has one (sorry to bring it up again, I know you must still be fuming about it), where and how they got it should be one of your first concerns. If your child is under the age of 18 and was able to get a piercing done, it's very likely the facility he or she got it from breaks the law on a regular basis by performing piercings on minors. They also may have done it themselves or got it from that strange guy down street. All of these increase the chance that the piercing was done unsafely. A piercing not properly done and not taken care of as directed can lead to infection and the possible transmission of diseases. The piercing and tattooing industry has established safety regulations to prevent such health risks. It's important to find a piercing facility that is well established and has a license if mandated by your state. It's also crucial to make sure the piercer is following safety precautions (using sterile needles, wearing latex gloves), is using high quality jewelry, and takes the time to carefully explain aftercare procedures. As long as a piercing was done properly and is taken care of afterwards, there should be no problems. It would be a good idea to visit the facility and have the piercing checked out by a doctor if you suspect otherwise.
Certainly the fact that piercings have become a part of the mainstream culture does not make it right for your child. Allowing your child to have a piercing is still a personal decision. However, it may help to keep an open mind if you're initially against the idea. Remember, experimenting with different images is a normal part of growing up. It's often a way for adolescents to find their own sense of self. Although a bit more extreme, a piercing can be just as much a part of one's identity as clothing and music. The important thing is to keep focus on what may be the real issue here. Besides the obvious possibility that they might be rebelling or doing things without your permission, you should be careful that other signs of a problem aren't present. Do you notice such things as a sudden change in friends, a drop in grades, quitting of activities they were once passionate about, or a change in attitude/behavior for the worst? If the answer to any of these is yes, the piercing may be the least of your worries.