> Not mentioned here yet, as this should be a no-brainer to most people, but if you're American and it's a boy: don't start his life by cutting of a perfectly good piece of penis (i.e., circumcision). That's his call, optionally (but probably not, rare medical conditions excepted) later in life. Don't do it just because the cornflakes guy said so.
Also if it's a girl there's no need to pierce her ears. She can do it when she's older if she wants to.
Obviously not on the same level as genital mutilation, but yeah, this weirds me out too, and unlike circumcision this seems quite a global phenomenon (although seemingly limited to lower socio-economic demographics). There's a baby girl at our local kindergarten who has her ears pierced. It makes her look like a fashion accessory instead of a child.
Disagree. Itβs totally reversible and becomes a reason to stick out in elementary school. Not piercing the ears is akin to naming a kid something weird.
Also if it's a girl there's no need to pierce her ears. She can do it when she's older if she wants to.