Piercings, am I old fashioned?

Try not to worry too much about it as, unlike tattoos, piercings can easily be removed. I don't like them either, but there are worse things he could be doing.

I don't think it's legal to have piercings at that age without parental consent. Not that that stopped my DS1 having his ears done - he always looked older than he was! As GA says, piercings do disappear when they get bored with them.

Piercings may be easily removed, but one of my "entertain yourself whilst watching telly" activities is "spot the eyebrow piercing scar" - especially when the actor is dressed in period costume (many of the actors have them!)

I also don't know whether there is much you can do about it, but nothing wrong with gently (as you say) expressing your displeasure or dismay or disappointment - my gran did that to me often enough when I showed up in a too-short skirt in the sixties . I had one home-made dress that I couldn't bend down in without showing my knickers . Couldn't let the hem down either because there wasn't enough fabric!

I really thought the fashion for piercings had run its course ...

Back to the OP. Yes, you are being old fashioned. Youth will always want to experiment. Tut tut if you must, but then leave it alone.

I wince when see lip piercing!
Does seem to have faded out bit thankfully.

My estranged daughter had tummy button one which as she was slim then looked good not so good on older ladies!

Thanks... and thank goodness they can disappear with time! He knows how I feel about them, have texted him saying:
'I love you just the way you are!'
I know he'll see the funny side and now I shall attempt to forget all about it, after all he may change his mind!

Best go with the flow old grey as you won't really have choice!

Are we talking 3 ear piercings or other parts of the body? Surely he won't be allowed to wear them at school? Are you sure he wasn't teasing you, knowing you'd be shocked?

My son had his ears pierced without my knowledge but the fad didn't last and the holes healed over. I remember one of his girlfriends had her tongue pierced and me being me told her it was horrid! We did remain friends surprisingly for a while even after she and DS broker up! I think I would be more concerned if the piercings were in more - shall we say - tender parts of the anatomy

I think its the done thing with young people today I let on I never noticed it (his eyebrow) he finished up telling me so I just said that's nice and talked about something else you cant stop them I just hope he grows out of it soon.

I think he is just trying to shock his Nan - because he's not seriously consulting his Nan on this one, is he?
You could:
Be glad it is not one of those horrible earlobe plugs? Or his tongue?
Be glad it is not an enormous, visible tattoo being planned?
Suggest "maybe something more discrete darling", such as nipple, belly button and foreskin? (the out shock 'em approach)
Say you're thinking of having your nostril done and can you come along at the same time?
Remind yourself that most young people who have piercings get bored with them and take them out after a bit.
Send him some medical photos of piercings that have gone horribly wrong.

Suspect age guidelines apply to tattoos but maybe not piercings - it would have to cover ear lobes after all.
But that does not necessarily stop the DIY approach.

Tell him its a great idea, and you'l get one at the same time..... worked for me when DD wanted the belly button done at 13 !

Thanks Jess, loved your suggestions. First time I've laughed about the situation!
I did tell him of a 'character' my sister saw in Barcelona, he was stark naked except for a piercing thro' his penis to which he'd attached a chain and weight, with the obvious effect on his penis!

susie

OMG OGM

When DS was a teenager it wasn't the thought of piercings that alarmed us but dying his hair to achieve the Goth look. Because he didn't want to be picked up after a village disco (we live two miles out of the village) we arranged to meet him at the bottom of the lane so he could walk half way home and we'd drive the rest. At the appointed time we stood in total darkness wondering where on earth he was when we saw a funny round white thing bobbing along about the same height as the hedge. It was his face!

I should have checked the state of the bathroom wash basin.....that might have given me a clue

DS1 when 15 dyed his hair. I think there were 5 variations in one week (including a kind of badger effect) until he arrived at a colour scheme that satisfied both him and his deputy head.
Seem to remember that in Amsterdam you can buy rather alarming postcards of genital piercings (on public display, next to the postcards of tulips) - perhaps if you know someone who is going there you could source a few for him?

I think the parents have to give their consent if a minor is under 16 years.
What do his parents think.

I think most of us had our ears pierced when we were young - and know how easily they can close up! I certainly don't like the ear lobe plugs. There is a boy who works at the local supermarket who had larger and larger plugs put in and now if he doesn't put the plugs in his ear lobe flaps about and looks awful!

The thing you should be REALLY worried about is smoking at this age. far more difficult to reverse.

Not an attractive look is it, sunseeker? When the craze dies out they will have to come up with a dangly earlobe fashion accessory.....Windchimes?

There is no point in teenage fashion unless they shock. My son had "curtains" middle parting with floppy hair. He then had an East 17 beard. He tried an earring but got panicky because it hurt when he turned it round so that was the end of that . He was a shocking rebel in other ways I would prefer to keep private, but is now straight and quite square.

My father hated my long, dead straight hair and gave me the cash in hand when I had it cut.

My daughter had my Granddaughters ears pierced at age 4.
I was not happy about that at all.

When my son was a teen he had a piercing in the top of one ear and had a ring fitted. A stud would have been better!- It looked ridiculous as it stood up. After one day - he never wore it again because everyone laughed at it.

OGM If yourGS is considering getting his tongue done, you could quote him this little gem I have unearthed:
"Difficulties in daily oral functions. Tongue piercing can result in difficulty chewing and swallowing food and speaking clearly. This is because the jewelry stimulates an excessive production of saliva. Temporary or permanent drooling is another consequence of increased saliva production. Taste can also be altered."
14 year-olds may think they ae immune to death from uncontrolled bleeding (it has happened), but I think even they would agree that persistent drooling is not a good look