Online Campaign to Ban Ear Piercing Launched, Said to be Unnecessary 'Child Cruelty' - Do You Agree? [Poll]

Ear-piercing young toddlers is common, even celebrity parents do this to their kids. Parents Kim and Kanye, Tom Brady and Giselle, and Matthew McConaughey and Vida Alves are among those who have their children's ears pierced at a very young age. Parents do so to enhance their children's look through the accessory or for cultural reasons, Yahoo has learned.

Last week, Susan Ingram, initiated a campaign against ear piercing for little ones and commented that such act "is a form of child cruelty." Thus, Ingram requested that a minimum age be set for children to have their ears pierced.

Ingram launched the petition online in 38 Degrees. Asked why this campaign is important, Ingram said. "It is a form of child cruelty. Severe pain and fear is inflicted upon infants unnecessarily. 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."

The public has been so supportive of the campaign. Currently, the petition has already over 32,000 signatures out of the targeted 35,000. In a few days time, it will not be a surprise to reach the targeted number of signatures.

Ingram has stirred awareness about the pain toddlers experience during the ear piercing and many people appeared to be on the same line of thought with her. Many agreed with Ingram that the pain toddlers suffer during ear piercing is unnecessary. Some commented that the act is an assault and should be considered child abuse.

On the same site, one can read the various reasons of individuals who supported the petition. Claire M.,one of the supporters commented: "smacking a child is abuse, so how come sticking a metal rod through their ears is not abuse??!!"

Another supporter named Catherine H. remarked: "Stop parents inflicting unnecessary pain on a child. Claire's Accessories are one of the worst offenders for piercing babies and toddlers ears. Make it illegal. Please."

Despite the impressive support the petition has been receiving from the public, there are still individuals who understand why parents do so.

Someone commented on the petition: "As someone who had their ears pierced as a baby (a month old), I find this campaign absolutely and utterly pointless. I am pleased that my parents got it done for me when I was a child and I have no regrets that they did. And as someone who doesn't like needles (but ironically, loves piercings) it was beneficial for me to get it done at a time I would not even recall in the future."

According to Dr. Tim Ballar, vice-chair of the Royal College of GPs, ear piercing is unlikely to cause permanent damage to babies. However, this does not excuse the child from suffering the pain even after the act of piercing, reports The Guardian.

So, what do you think?