Thorne - you found one of my pet peeves! I think it's just silly. Although I doubt the girl will ever not want pierced ears (even I have one hole in each ear, and I'm not a piercing fan), it still seems to me to be ridiculous to have babies and little girls walking around wearing earrings. In my opinion it's just another example of the sexualization of young girls, long before it's appropriate.

As far as it being abuse...circumcision would be in the same category, and very few parents choose to pass on that. I personally think it's barbaric, but that's just me. I did not have either one of my sons circumcised. And would have never had my daughters ears pierced either, until they were at least teenagers and wanted it themselves.

As far as tattoos - I have none. But, my eldest son had wanted one for years, and knew what he wanted...so for his high-school graduation gift I allowed him to get one and paid for it. He had it done at one of the top places in the US (had to wait several months for the actual appointment, after meeting with the artist to work out the details). It's been almost a year, and he's very happy with it. He got the Cherokee seal in the middle of his upper back, between the shoulder blades. He's part Cherokee, so at least it's somewhat apropos.