{"id":645,"date":"2018-02-02T15:30:42","date_gmt":"2018-02-02T15:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/comment\/?p=645"},"modified":"2018-02-02T15:30:42","modified_gmt":"2018-02-02T15:30:42","slug":"banning-piercings-for-under-18s-may-be-medically-a-good-idea-but-it-takes-away-choice-and-self-esteem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/comment\/2018\/02\/02\/banning-piercings-for-under-18s-may-be-medically-a-good-idea-but-it-takes-away-choice-and-self-esteem\/","title":{"rendered":"Banning piercings for under 18s may be medically a good idea, but it takes away choice and self-esteem"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

Michael Richards<\/a>, Edge Hill University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

It is now an offence for under-18s in Wales to get any intimate piercings<\/a> \u2013 meaning tongue, genitals and nipples. One of the main arguments for this ban<\/a> is that young people under 18 are still physically developing and that these kinds of piercings can stifle that development and lead to infection.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a fair point \u2013 but this also feels like a frustrating barrier for young people who want control over their own bodies \u2013 and the reaction from young people in Wales has been mixed. Some think their peers rush into getting a piercing too quickly, while others say it should be about what makes you happy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When teenagers hit 16, they can (among other things<\/a>) consent to medical and surgical procedures, drink alcohol, have sex, and join the armed forces. So it\u2019s hard to see what the problem is with a little stud, bar or hoop when they are legally grown up enough to do all these other things. If young people can do all this before they reach 18 years old, surely they can alter or enhance their body in any way they like?<\/p>\n

The ban, particularly for 16 and 17-year olds, may feel like nothing more than just another barrier to those who want to, and feel ready to, take responsibility for their own bodies.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"
Piercings, not problems. Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

Teenagers are going to rebel, experiment and try new things<\/a>. In the USA, more young people over 18 than ever before<\/a> are getting piercings as well as tattoos. In the UK there has been a similar boom<\/a> in young people getting piercings over the past 20 years \u2013 and having piercings has become a rite of passage for many. Something to get excited about \u2013 no different from a first alcoholic drink, or finally being able to call themselves an \u201cadult\u201d when they reach 18.<\/p>\n

The problem is that there can be serious health effects when getting a piercing. Even non-intimate ear piercings can result in keloid scars<\/a>, while piercings on all parts of the body, can give rise to serious infections and even disfigurement<\/a>. Researchers have found that young people who get piercings are likely to experience swelling, infection and bleeding, particularly in intimate areas of the body. In a 2008 study<\/a> of piercings in England \u2013 which has been cited by the Welsh government<\/a> \u2013 28% of people who had body piercings experienced complications, while 13% had serious problems. In addition, one in 100 piercings among 16 to 24-year-olds saw them being admitted to hospital.<\/p>\n

Risky business<\/h2>\n

The health risks of getting an intimate piercing appear to be high. So when the medical perspective on piercing is considered, there appears to be complete justification for the ban. There is also the issue of children being placed in potentially vulnerable situations to consider. Giving evidence to the Welsh government<\/a>, the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health said this:<\/p>\n

If you go to a doctor for an intimate examination, you\u2019re entitled to have a chaperone there, and the doctor, or whoever is involved, will have had a criminal record check at some point.<\/p>\n

We have practitioners who have had no checks at all around sexual offences that they may have carried out, or assaults that they may have carried out. But people are putting themselves, and children are putting themselves, in an extremely vulnerable position.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Another valid point \u2013 there are child protection issues at play here. But surely that is the case for any adult who may get an intimate piercing too?<\/p>\n

For many people, making choices over their own body is empowering, makes them feel good and helps them to feel that they look good, which lifts self-esteem, positivity and confidence. This is so important for young people today, with so many experiencing negativity about their bodies, having suicidal thoughts and urges towards self-harm<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"TheYoung people are always striving for control over their own minds and bodies \u2013 so being able to feel good about themselves is likely to overwhelm any common sense relating to the health risks that come with piercings. If a young person who can legally do many things wants to feel good about themselves by having a piercing, is it really so bad? This is about about choice \u2013 and the ban takes away choice for people who feel happy to have piercings on their body.<\/p>\n

Michael Richards<\/a>, Lecturer in Applied Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This article was originally published on The Conversation<\/a>. Read the original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Michael Richards, Edge Hill University It is now an offence for under-18s in Wales to get any intimate piercings \u2013 meaning tongue, genitals and nipples. 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