Parents
Having parent problems?
You’re not alone; I get more mail about parents going ‘crazy’ over a proposed piercing than anything else!
Before you complain!
Most responsible piercing studios have an age limit, so if you are under age you will have to wait, sorry but if you really want a piercing you will be prepared to wait, if you go off the idea, it clearly wasn’t for you! So let’s get this clear, I’m not talking about 13 year-olds getting pierced here; no I’m talking about people that are old enough to drive, vote or partake in any other ‘adult’ activity, being told by their parents; ‘not to get pierced’, cos’ they don’t like it!
So what’s the solution?
There is no easy answer to this problem; some parents are just ‘anti-piercing’ so any argument ‘for’ will just be ignored. Some have safety fears and that’s totally understandable, what with all the horror stories ‘doing the rounds’ in the media.
The fact that you are their child and they would seek to protect you from anything that could potentially harm you is of course, natural.
Talk!
The best way round any problem is to talk about it, getting your parents approval (however grudgingly) for a piercing is no different, so have a good talk with them before you get your piercing, explain you are going to do this whether they like it or not!
So lets try to categorize the different parent types:
Anti-piercing
No matter what you say you are not going to change this persons views, they have a deep-seated and irrational views (which they are entitled to) that piercing is bad! There may not be any real reason for this opinion, they may have seen pierced people acting in a way that they would not approve of, who can say what has been embedded itself in this persons psyche.
There may be other sub categories here to; the parents that say; “you’re not going out with that piece of metal in your face” whatever the reason may be they are anti-piercing.
If your parents fall into this category then your best bet is to wait it out, or get a discrete piercing.
Concerned
Many parents fall into this category, you may feel that your parents are just ‘anti-piercing’ (see above) but if you have a talk with them they will inform you that they don’t mind the piercing it’s the health issues that concern them.
They key here is to allay their fears, don’t just ‘fob them off’ do some research; find out about the health implications of your proposed piercing, choose a professional piercer and look after your piercing! Once they see that piercing is not dangerous if the proper care is taken, you have solved the problem.
Final words
I have been through this ‘parent hassle’ so I’m not just blowing smoke here, in fact I was in my twenties when I had my first piercing (that they knew of at least!) and I still got nagged! So you have my sympathies!
My parents still hate piercing; they seem to have just accepted that it’s what I want to do with my life, which in reality is the best you can hope for!