Quote:
Originally posted by kbrown
you might want to tell him, the ball on the under side of the post wears off the enamel on the back of the lower teeth set, ruining them. Or tell him to grow some gonads and tell her it makes people look sleezy, even if she doesnt think it's sexual, anyone looking at her will...and not allow it, that's what I did anyway.
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Funny how we're willing to tolerate broad stereotypes about those among us with body modification, yet most other stereotypes are labeled as bigotry or racism or whatever-ism and subsequently banned in our PC world.
I wore a 10ga barbell in my tongue for years and never lost a bit of enamel. Nor was I ever subjected to lewd or lascivious comments about "What can you do with that thing, heh heh." The question I was always asked was, "Does it hurt?"
Just because the first thing YOU think when you see a tongue piercing is sexual, doesn't mean that everyone else feels the same way. Most people with half a brain understand that a tongue piercing does not equal "cheap and easy" or "sleazy."
Instead of freaking out about the piercing, why not ask your kid WHY she wants it? Is she trying to be different, or does everyone in her crowd already have one? There are two big reasons that a lot of people get mods -- either they want to fit in and have some sort of tribal identity, or they are trying NOT to fit in.
My experience has been that the more you put your foot down and say NO, the more they'll want to do it. If you get her to talk about why she wants to do it, she'll probably come to the conclusion on her own that it's not the best idea. Be frank with her -- find out the risks and explain them to her in a non-confrontational way. Tell her about the gross parts -- how food gets stuck around it, how she'll have to clean it every day or else have horrendous breath, how she won't be able to talk properly for at least a week, how she'll probably lisp even after it heals (I didn't, but most people I know who have 'em do, at least a little bit). There are a ton of good websites about piercing (check out
www.tribalectic.com).
I agree that 13 is too young for a piercing, and any reputable shop would refuse to work on her, even with a parent's permission. The thing is, even if you tell her "No," she's going to find a way to do it, with or without you. Wouldn't you rather be with her so that you can keep her safe?
Just my humble opinion.