When Enedina Vance shared a photo of her baby – with a cheek piercing – she wanted to send a strong message to other parents.
However, not everyone immediately understood the point of Vance’s post.
You see, the piercing on her six month old daughter’s face was digitally created, and Vance considers herself an activist against body alterations in children. Vance speaks out against ear piercing and circumcision in babies.
Her post began: “So, I got the baby girl’s dimple pierced”.
“I’m the parent, she is MY CHILD, I will do whatever I want,” she continues. “I make all of her decisions until she’s 18, I made her, I own her!! I don’t need anyone’s permission, I think it’s better, cuter, & I prefer her to have her dimple pierced. Its NOT abuse!! If it was, it would be illegal, but it’s not. People pierce their babies everyday, this is no different.”
Vance finished off her post with a strong statement: “MY BABY, MY CHOICE!! PARENT’S CHOICE, PARENT’S RIGHTS!! Don’t judge my parenting, we all raise our kids differently, it’s none of your business anyway”.
While some outrage ensued (a few folks obviously didn’t pick up on the #sarcasm) most people agreed with Vance’s message.
“Good for you Momma!! Less infections for her now. You made the right choice. Are you gonna get yours done too so you match? Or did you do it TO match? That way, she won’t wonder why you two look different,” one person commented.
“You saved her from years of locker room torment. Her future husband will thank you,” added another.
Screw the Minions. Let’s take the kids to watch Saw. Post continues…
“It’s not like she cut up her child’s sex organ or anything. It’s just a cheek.”
Speaking to Yahoo about her post – which has been shared over 11,000 times – Vance said she “can’t believe” how many people thought the piercing was real.
“So many people are outraged at the thought of piercing my baby at such a young age, without her consent, and against her will. Yet, they don’t understand how other body mutilations, alterations, and modifications are the exact same thing for the exact same reason: aesthetic purposes.”
If nothing else, Vance’s post has opened up an important conversation between parents.
What do you think about Enedina’s post? Do you agree with her?
Top Comments
I absolutely agree with her. We shouldn't be piercing or cutting ANY part of our children's bodies without their consent. Except for religious and rare medical reasons for male circumcision there is no reason why a baby's body should be altered. Ear piercings included, they are purely cosmetic and appreciated only by adults and are therefore one of the most unnessary and selfish forms of baby body mutilation. Let a little girl make her own choice when she is older and can appreciate what she is doing and can get some satisfaction from the pain of doing it.
Not for religious reasons either. Actual (not theoretical) medical issues should be the only reason.
Granted, I had my daughter's ears pierced at 12 months (as mine were), but while I don't exactly regret, if I could go back I wouldn't do it again. It took me a while, but I can see my hypocrisy now (I was -and still am - adamantly against circumcision for my older son)
Hmmm - someone wants some attention.........