Should baby ear piercing be banned?

UK parents face being banned from piercing their babies’ ears after a Labour MP called on the government to consider whether the practice should be allowed.

The move follows a petition to make piercing babies’ and toddlers’ ears illegal and calling for a minimum age requirement.  The petition has received more than 31,000 signatures.

On the page, the mother behind the petition, Susan Ingram, says ear piercing before a child is old enough to consent is a form of child cruelty.

“Severe pain and fear is inflicted upon infants unnecessarily,” she says.

“It serves no purpose other than to satisfy the parent’s vanity. Other forms of physically harming children are illegal- this should be no different.”

Despite the large number of signatures, the petition has also received plenty of opposing comments.

While ear piercing is popular in Australia, opinion is divided as to what age is appropriate to do so.

Doctors agree ear piercing is unlikely to result in lasting damage, however it does cause pain and discomfort during and immediately afterwards.

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