A few months ago I ordered some jewellry from a UK-based website. It was a plain 14 gauge PTFE barbell with white 4mm balls. It finally came today. I was really happy, it had arrived just in time.
At A Glance Author CJ When N/A Two weeks ago I had my right nipple pierced with a 14 gauge blackline barbell (I'm not entirely sure of the length of it) but it was too small and was begging to be changed, so when the new barbell arrived I was extremely happy and changed the bar immediately. I put the old jewellry back in the baggy and left it on the kitchen table while I talked to my mum about anything and everything.
Moments later my dad wandered down the stairs and saw the jewellry, "What on EARTH is that?" he asked, disgusted.
"Tongue barbell," I hastily replied, knowing he'd disown me if he knew I had my nipple pierced.
To date I have my eyebrow, conch, tragus, nose, navel, tongue, nipple, lip, one cartilage and 2 sets of lobe piercings - one set at 14 gauge and the other at 4 gauge. I've had to combat many obstacles in the acquisition of these piercings; disgruntled teachers resulting in 'chats' with my head of year, my father and some friends. After every new piercing, I am asked "didn't that hurt? why did you do it?" I am bored of such questions. It's nice when supportive friends are curious, and ask "why this particular mod?" but it's a question I am rarely asked.
The biggest obstacle so far has been my school. I go to a private, all-girls school which has "a reputation" to uphold. I knew I was going to get in trouble for mods when my friend was reprimanded for tears in her jeans and myself for dyeing my hair red. In October I decided to get a lip ring, contrary to the wishes of my parents. I had always loved lip rings and it is still my favourite hole, three piercings later. In January I was in an English class when my teacher turned to me and asked how long I'd had it. Three months, I replied. She told me I had to remove it or she wouldn't teach me. WHAT?! came my reply. She hadn't noticed it for three months and now it's a problem? I'd already been spoken to about it by my head of year who said I had become a health and safety hazard because I could choke on it or, she explained, the ball could pop out and someone could fall on it. I had to stop myself from laughing at her excuse. I had spent 13 years wearing a school uniform and n ow I was allowed to wear my own clothes I felt comfortable enough to embrace my body image, but someone seemed intent on stopping me doing that.
I meekly replaced my jewellry with a 1mm black stud. I missed the ring and now I have to wear a stud for school all the time. I've noticed a little gum recession...has compromising my beliefs caused me more pain than sticking to what I want and keeping a ring? yes. If I could relive my experience I would not compromise my beliefs and tell my English teacher (who has it in her contract that she will not teach those with piercings) that she needs to be more open to personal growth. After all, she changed her name because she wasn't happy with it, and how different is that from changing the look of someone's lip?
My father is worse. He repeatedly tells me I am a fool for my mods and no matter how many times I tell him that I know what I'm doing he will not listen, dismissing me as his 'stupid daughter'. This is hurtful and upsetting but I rise to the occasion and hope that one day he will come to understand what I like and who I am.
Personally, I get pierced for 3 reasons; the aesthetic, the pain and the aftercare. It feels so good to nurture something you love and accept it as part of yourself. If I was to tell my father this, it would be dismissed as hippy crap.
I dread the day when I have to seek full time employment. For now, working in stores and in my parents office will suffice, but I know that one day my modifications will have to be removed, by and large. Experiencing this early setback has prepared me for future problems, and luckily enough, I get A's in English, so they have no reason on merit to kick me out of class.
If you're experiencing the same problems with school, I'd advise you to let your school know the real (non-elaborate) dangers of teenage piercing and why they shouldn't happen to you. Let them know why you get pierced, and why it's healthy. But DON'T compromise your beliefs for anyone.