Would You Allow Your 16 Year Old Daughter......

No - I think it's trashy at that age. At 18 it's different because it doesn't require parental consent. At 16, it says "I have the kind of parents who don't mind having guys stare at my flat stomach and don't mind that I call attention to my body" and that's not the kind of message I am OK with my kids sending.

NO. My daughter is 14 and already lobbying for it. I see it as a very sexy thing, and 16 year olds these days don't need to look as sexy as possible. I did, however, let my daughter get her cartilage (upper ear) pierced for her 14th birthday. I do allow her to be an individual, but I just don't agree with the belly button this. I told her if she still really wanted to do it at 18, that was her decision. I see all of these girls on Facebook showing off their belly rings, and it just seems so inappropriate. I'm trying to instill a sense of classiness in her, and I've never seen a belly button ring and thought "Hey, how classy!" Just the opposite.

I would show her my belly button and I could pretty much guarentee she will not get it done.

I was 17 when I got mine done and now after 3 kids and all the stretch marks it is not a pretty site. As I said - after seeing my belly button - it 'aint happening!

This is for Sam I Am: I have always said that the high schools should get a bunch of us moms to stand in front of them and lift our shirts. Showing what pregnancy does to you belly would be major in teen pregnancy prevention!

I did allow my daughter at 15 for her birthday. She is mature for her age, good kid and understood the importance of cleanliness.

She's 17 now and still wears a bb ring. She is a cheerleader so she covers it when cheering , as all the cheerleaders do.

She's not running around with her bare midriff hanging out, if she did shed be sent home from school per the dress code. She's not a hoochie as some moms on here would probably label her due to their pre judging.

I don't judge people for having any or many piercings or tattoos... It does not mean they are all gangsters or druggies. If someone chooses to judge based on a piercing or tattoo, they could be missing out on meeting some nice people.

Bottom line it's a decision to be made within your family.

Hmmmmm....first of all, I don't have a daughter.
BUT I did lobby for my niece to be allowed to get O. at about that age.

My logic? It's the kind of thing that can be revealed or not, can be taken out or left in, won't be seen at a job interview and I think the perfect stomachs required for them are usually found on teen girls!
You know your daughter best. Is she a good kid?

A belly button piercing is sooooo much better than those skanky tramp-stamps so many women have--can you imagine our nursing homes in 50 years? LOL <<shudder>>

I took my 16 yr old to get hers pierced. She had been working really hard at getting in shape and was really proud of herself. Her grades were excellent. We had just moved to a new town and had gone through a lot. I took her as a way of bonding, congratualting her, encouraging her, and celebrating our victory in conquering a new town. It was a lot of fun. A great memory. And now here she is 4 yrs later. Very responsible. In college. Working 2 jobs. Bought her own car, pays her own way. So, I think it worked out ok!

I told my daughter that she could get any piercing she wanted. If she decided she didn't like it, all she had to do was take out the jewelry and the hole would close up. If she wanted gauging or a tattoo she had to wait until she was 18.
She chose to get her first set of ear piercings at 4, the second at 9, and the third at 13. She considered getting her navel pierced but never did. She got her first tattoo at 20 and is designing her next one.
A navel piercing isn't necessarily mainly for show. Mine is hardly ever seen by anyone but me or a lover. I got it because it meant something to ME - the jewelry is a pentacle. Saame goes for my tat - it's a picture of my totem. I've had it for almost a year, and many people have never seen it because I wear pants a lot and it's covered. It's important to ME that it's there.
Maybe I just have a higher than average pain threshold but my navel piercing was no more painful than my ear piercings, and caring for it while it healed was no different than caring for an ear piercing. Getting my leg tattooed was not painful either. It tingled, but didn't hurt.

Nope. Just my opinion, but it's a piercing in a provocative place and what other purpose does it serve than to be "sexy?" Don't want my daughter thinking of ways to be a turn on to men. Just my opinion. When they're 18, whatever.

I would. She's not going to have a flat stomach forever -- may as well adorn it while it looks good! I think belly button rings are cute... they are not really "sexy" in my opinion -- no different than getting your nose pierced or something like that.

It does take some care after piercing to make sure it doesn't get infected, so you'll have to make sure she keeps up with the salt soaks etc.

No.
It's not appropriate.
LBC

my daughter just got her belly button pierced and she is 13. her father and i took her to get it done. and our 17 yr old got her tongue pierced. believe me we have gotten judged left and right for it but they are our kids and its nobody's business. i dont think it makes us bad parents. if you feel she is mature enough and wants it bad enough...then WHY NOT? its good she came to you first to get your approval. a piercing doesnt make you trashy or a bad kid....when it comes down to it its up to you and just trust you will make the right decision

I think that would be something I would give my blessing on when she turned 18. I don't think 16 year olds should have belly button piercings....or at least my 16 year old. :)

I let my daughter get one when she was almost 17 after thinking about it for several months. I took her to the tattoo/piercing place that I felt good with. She paid for it ($100). She was pretty underwhelmed by it and ultimately took it out because it was a pain playing softball with it and softball is way more important!

Depends on my kid and why she wants it done. I'd also require she do it in a clean, safe place, and pay for it herself.

It's one of those things that can be "undone."

Yes.

But there would also be a discussion in there about how some men (boys) think that tattoos and piercings on a woman mean that she's loose.

I know that is just a stereotype...but young girls should know about those stereotypes.

I think it is amazing to hear these moms on here say that a bb piercing is trashy. I had mine done at 14 and I still love it. The only one that see's mine is me and my boyfriend. Or if you catch me daring enough to wear a bakini. They can be as elegant as your ears but she has to take care of it. Just my opinion. That is the only piercing I have other then my ears and after my first and second born where well born I had it redone because I love it. I am 22 now.

No I wouldnt, and Ill tell you why.
I had my belly button pierced when I was a teenager (behind my parents), one of my friends was dating a tattoo guy. And it got infected all the time, and I have a nasty scar from it. I pretty much hate it like a bad tattoo.
If my daughter were to do it on her own when shes of age, thats her own business, and I will tell her my story and show her the nasty scar, and thats all I can really do. But, her being 16, you would have to sign for it, and I wouldnt do it!

Plus, I think its considered sexy/sexual, and personally dont think its for a 16 year old.

Dang, Im getting old!!

When I was 15 I got my nose pierced and my best friend got her belly button pierced. Our mom's took us after we begged for 6 months/ presented very rational requests and reasons.

I really don't think it's THAT big of a deal. It's a piercing, not a tattoo. If she changes her mind, she can take it out. Honestly, under what circumstances is an exposed midriff OKAY but a belly button ring TRASHY? Anyway, if she needs to cover it it's easy to do.

Be aware though, they can take quite a while to heal up and she'll need to follow the care directions pretty closely to avoid an infection (again though, she can always take it out if she changes her mind).

Go to a reputable spot, make sure they use a new needle etc... and you should be good.

FTR: I stopped wearing my nose ring around age 20. I think my friend still has her belly ring, but it's been so long since we walked around with our stomachs out, I can't say for sure :)

I don't see any reason to not do it. It is not permanent, if she grows up and decides she doesn't like it there is always the option of just taking the ring out. A tattoo is permanent so I would tell them they have to be 18 to do that.

Does she have to have parental permission? I had never thought of that, I guess I assumed anyone can go to someplace that does it and they just give them their money and do it.

I gave that to my daughter for her 17th b'day....and a few months ago she got a nose piercing (she is now 18) but she asked my permission first...I got a cartilage piercing and so did she.....there are so many worse things...and as to showing infections - they don't all get infections and scare tactics don't work on teens.....at some point I realized my disapproval was more about control than the piercing and I did not want to do that as at 16 a parent should be starting the process of letting go......just my opinion!

Nah, I regret mine so if she's going to make a mistake I don't want it on my watch. She can wAit till she can legally do it (which I believe would be 17)

I will let my daughter do crazy non permanent things to her appearance though..... Right of passage

The purpose of a BB peircing is to show it off while wearing clothing that shows your tummy. (Why get jewelry for a body part that doesn't show?) so my question is do you allow your 16 to wear clothing that shows her tummy pretty regularly? We don't in our family - except at the beach. I wouldn't allow if at this age. But as I tell my kids, once you're grown up and out on your own paying all your own bills you have the responsibility and privilege of making your own decisions. At that point you can do whatever you want - but while you're relying on me financially you are not truly an adult yet. I figure it will urge them on to grow up and still allow some parental control in the meantime.

Of course I would provided she had already proven she is mature enough to handle the care that goes into it as well as the grades and behavior appropriate of getting such a treat.

just be sure that she knows that they do leave marks if you chose to take them out. I would let my child at 16 with no problem. I think that's old enough. I had mine pierced and since it's been out for 7 years I have a stupid looking dot above my belly button. :-)

its better than getting it peirced behind your back! I would probably but I have a long while to go before thinking about that..my opinion may change when its my daughter. Is it any diferent than an eyebrow or tongue or 5th ear ring? I guess if you're against the above then you'd be right to be agnst that. Also some people are going to say shes going to want it to show off skin...and I'd say yes, as most 16 year olds do this and sneak out provactive clothing and wear bikinis...i miss the days of wearing a bikini and not trying to suck in that last few pounds=) you still get to have the same rules about dress codes and can force her to take it out if you notice something bad. if she was a good kid and earned it yes, if she was a kid that makes trouble a lot than no i woudn't reward that behaviour. A beely button ring won't change who she is

Yes, because I've watched my older nieces and their friends get them. They usually end up being a pain to take care of and the girls just let them close up. No biggie, piercings are the LEAST of my worries at this age!

Yes. In fact both of my girls had this done at about 16. Neither of them kept it for more than a couple of years so it's just not worth the battle. I think they are looking for things to fight about at this age so if she can win this without it being an issue you really win. I remember with our first daughter we really over-thought the whole thing, was this leading to a dangerous path. No, it didn't lead to anything other an a pierced belly button. It's not worth a fight.

Yes -I would let a 16 year old do it.

Well, I probably would 'let' her as you say, but I go on and on about how stupid and gross it is. It's unlikely she'll want one, she's almost 15 now. But she doesn't even like having pierced ears, too much work. She's just not that into how she looks.

:)

I took my daughter to get hers at 17. She's 23 and still has it. I don't think it's that big of a deal. Actually, I think they're kinda cute and I probably would have had one if they had been "in" when I was that age.

i got mine pierced when i was 16 but i had been asking since i was 15.. my mom said if i did well in school and didnt get in trouble that that would be my birthday present for the next year.. i hate to scare u but if she wants it that bad theres places so can go byherself and get it done anyway(i got my tongue pierced when i was also 16).. which arent the best places at least if u go with her ull know its a reputable place .. just because u get ur belly pierced doesnt mean ur gna walk around with ur belly out all the time i never did that ever the only time anyone ever saw it was in the summer

NO!!!! just ears...

No. She can get one, and a tattoo and any other number of body mods when she's 18+.

I would say no. I had my share of piercings, and loved them. The treat at 16, to me, is a driver's license. At 18, I would have a belly piercing celebration, since it is a more provocative piercing, as said below. At 16, I think it is too 'sexy'.

I have 3 daughters and wouldn't have a problem letting a mature, responsible 16 year old get a navel piercing. They're easily covered, easily removed and it would really only be seen if she were wearing a bikini in the summer (we have a no-bare-belly rule and *always* will).

My daughter is six...so in 10 years if she is still the same child she is now. Yes, I absolutely would. However, if between now and then she turns into some holy terror then no. She will have to wait til she's 18.

Hopefully she won't want one, I don't like them. Yet I have tattoos, so to each their own I say.

But I will probably get vetoed by dad!

my sister got hers done at 16. i think that if your sure she can take care of it an clean it as required then i dont see it as an issue. but thats me your her mom and its your desicion. plus its something thats always removable when she decides she no longer wants it.

I said no but her step mother said yes so she has had one since she was 16 (she's now 19).

She takes good care of it. Always has and is a responsible, hard working young adult.

I pick my battles.

Sending good thoughts your way.

If grades meet or exceed my expectations, if it isn't specifically prevented at school, and most importantly if she is respectful of others and self, yes. As soon as any of those slip, away it goes.

yes I would let her.

We went through this too! Mine waited until she was away in college then texted me the picture of her getting it done! She was 18 when she had it done. She is 23 and still has it. She has a really cute figure so I have to admit, its cute but I couldn't do it. Looks like it would hurt too much!!! It does bug her on occasion with pants and skirts. It does take awhile to heal and she will need to be very careful with her clothing.

After seeing it with my daughter, yes at 16 I would. Now, a tatoo is different!!!

No. My daughters are not even close to being teens, but I don't plan to allow them to bare their midriffs.

I would and I did. I think you should gauge your daughter's maturity level and decide from that. My daughter is 29 and removed hers years ago.

Show her pictures of infected piercings and talk to her about what it takes to avoid that. If she and you feel that she's able to take care of it, let her have the piercing. Tattoos, no, but piercings aren't permanently disfiguring, and a belly button is pretty hidden for daily use. I see it as similar to hair - let them do what they want, it will grow out, except for the possibility of infection.
ETA:
And look at this link, which I found after my intial response:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/02/21/147050227/when...

At least she asked. :)

No... I have one. I am now 40 and wish I didn't have it. For those of you who say it's not permanent, it is and it does make a scar and it does change the appearance of your belly button forever. 16 is a bit young to make the forever decision. When she is an adult, pays for it herself, and can rationalize the consequences, then she can do it. It's a fad and I'm really surprised any of them think it's cool any more.

BTW, I do have a tattoo also. I love my tattoo but it has faded. When I get a chance I will redo it. To each their own. I just believe 16 is not the age to make those decisions.

YES!! Why not? It's not permanent. I don't see the big deal but whatever tickles your pickle. I have many piercings and I love how they look. I'm all for both piercings and tattoos!

As long as she's not walking around with tiny shirts to show it off (ie dressing skanky), I see no problem with it. And, she actually asked your permission! That's awesome. I would say no to a tattoo, but I see nothing wrong with piercings. It's not like they're permanent. You must do what makes you comfortable though. If you do it, don't listen to people trying to say you're a bad mother. To each his own!

NO!!!! All of my girls know that the only thing allowed to be pierced is their ears. When they turn 18 the can oierce whatever they want!

No. Thank God my daughter didn't do this. She didn't get her ears pierced until she was 13. She thought about her eye brow and her dad and his wife - said after you turn 18 - do what you want - while in my house? Nope.

She asked me what I thought about it - I said NO. I think it's a "statement" that a person later regrets.

No. Infection risk. She can do it when she carries her own health insurance. If she does it on her own at 18, she assumes the risk, and she will get any bills that come with any issues.

No. I personally think their unattractive and gross. If they wanted to do that when they turn 18, no problem--- I fully support that adult decision.

No way!! We told our kids no piercings or tattoos until they are on their own, paying their own bills, and out of college. Best wishes and God bless!

No, stuff like that is reserved for adults who are paying their own way and not living with their parents.

Absolutely not. They already know, no tatoos or piercings (except 1 ear). I tell them if you wanted to work for the government (CIA, FBI,etc) you couldn't have any identifying marks, so keep your options open. Plus even if they could pay for it (I'm not), they know that they have to be a self supporting adult in their own living quarters.

I disagree with the one's saying once they're 18 they can do what they want. My kids know that they have to be on their own paying their own bills for things like that. I have a tattoo that I got at 26, married and no kids yet. That being said, a BB ring isn't permanent, but make sure you are definitely okay with it. I don't think I would let my girls do it, once they're paying their own bills then they can make that choice at that time...

Nope! . My daughter is sixteen and has been asking for a year. I told her when she's eighteen she can do it.