Mondia wrote:
...but an attitude that suggested that I was going to do something awful to my child...
I think you hit the nail on the head, its not about infections, you seem sensible enough and more than willing to take precautions so thats a very low risk.
Its not about stereotypical perception of trashiness, as this varies from culture to culture.
Call me old fashion but to me, and its my opinion, punching a hole in a toddlers flesh not once, but twice IS awful, I cringe when my daughter has to have a medical jab and to see her cry out in pain is heart breaking, all this for the sake of vanity.
Don't get me wrong when shes older she can be covered head to toe in tattoos, female Prince Alberts etc. that's her call.
Bit extreme but used to make a point, all the folks that carry out female circumcision must be equally bemused at all the fuss over it, saying they are upset that other people are implying they are doing something awful to their child.
My three year old asked for a tattoo the other day, no matter how much she says she is ready for body modification, I will let her only have a stick on one until she can really think for herself.
There is another interesting argument, which to me is a bit far fetched but some question why do you need adornments on a small child, which only makes her more attactive to the opposite sex?