For many parents, piercing a baby’s ears right after birth is something cultural and traditional. However, the ability to do so poses massive ethical and medical concerns. Since babies cannot understand what is happening around them, they cannot consent to it. Piercing these babies at such young ages removes that bodily autonomy and can carry a higher risk for infection.
Perspectives on this practice often differ based on the lens through which it is viewed.
“If you look at it through a modern, American lens of consent, it seems unethical to pierce a baby’s ears when they have no say and even lack the ability to say no or form their own opinion in general,” English teacher Cassie Bever, who has kids of her own, said.
If parents were to follow through and force a child to get their ears pierced, there really is nothing that a child can do to stop it from happening, which is what is the cause of concern. However, there can be an exception to this, as many cultures around the world traditionally pierce a child’s ears for cultural and symbolic reasons.
“Are they piercing their child’s ears for reasons of vanity or because it’s a cultural tradition?” Bever said.
For cultural values, ear piercings are considered a staple of tradition for generations. These are viewed as necessary to certain cultures around the world which are deserving recognition and respect just like any other. But the issue causes individuals to weigh tradition with bodily autonomy.
Additionally, infant immune systems are still developing and are prone to infections, which adds a risk to any procedures.
“Children under 4 years may touch the earrings a lot. Playing with the earring with dirty hands can lead to infections” (Seattle’s Children’s Hospital).
Any area where skin is punctured can carry the risk of illness, and since toddlers have their hands everywhere and around their mouths, it can greatly carry the risk of infections.
Ultimately, piercings and body modifications can carry risks for infants and are considered by many, a non-essential procedure. However, there may be legitimate cultural reasons that provide explanations for these procedures. However, with the newer generations, bodily autonomy has been a rising concern.
Sources:
“Ear Piercing Symptoms.” Seattle Children’s Hospital, 25 Jan. 2025, www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/ear-piercing-symptoms/.
