Just to clear up some fears on adolescent piercings and parents, I'd like to share my views.I too at a young age, 14, began to become spontaneous. Unfortunetlly, or maybe I should say fortunetlly for me I could not find anyone who would pierce or tattoo me at such a young age. (even w/fake I.D.) For the longest time I had the desire to pierce my navel and get a tattoo. Finally, when I was 15 I was able to pierce my navel, with the help of a friend's older sister who possesd as a adult relative. I did not go to the safest place, actually it was a street fair. For some luck of mine and the care I took of it, it did not get infected or migrate in anyway. In the 3 years I've had it there has been no problems. Not even parents--who still are unaware of it.
My next trill came when I finally got my first tattoo. I was 16 and had fake I.D. The tattoo artist new it was fake, yet did it any way. The feeling I got from that needle made me desire even more tattoos. To look in the mirror and see this beautiful picture on my skin fillled me with joy. Of course 7 months later came the second, and then the third followed about 4 months after that. As a 16 yr. old adolescent I never had a problem getting or taking care of my tattoos. Not to say this is the way it goes for everyone. There are downsides, sideaffects, and dangers many adolescents overlook.
All these factors should come into consideration when a young person is contumplating any body modification. Many times they will go to places that are not fully equipt or trained, just for the fact that it will be cheaper. (A big factor to kidz w/little $)
- The quality of the piercer/tattoo artist.
- The sterility of the general atmosphere.
- The risk of disesase and/or infections.
- The fact that some adolescent bodies are not yet fully matured.
- PARENTS!!!!! and their reactions.
So I got lucky, never really had any probs w/infections, reactions or parents. I'm now 18 and still hidding 3 tattoos, a navel, tounge, and nipple piercing from my parents. (Wish I could tell them sometimes, but they'd flip.) Anyway.........the point I'm trying to make is that not every adolescent is this lucky and should really give some thought to any modifications, especially tattoos that can't be removed as easily as jewlery. It is a life- long commitment to your body. So even if you have to wait till your 18, it doesn't matter----it'll be there forever. If you REALLY can't wait, like me, give thought to where you will be getting this done, who will be doing it, how safe you will be, and how your parents will react when they find out. If after this you have any doubt, WAIT till you don't.