Should 16-year-old people be allowed to get a tattoo or ear or body piercing?

I am 51 years old, and I think 16 is too young to make decisions like this. I know JuliaCouture has answered this post and I respect her decisions--I am sure she is very mature and aware, but I am more of a mind that 18 or even 21 is a better age. Call me old-fashioned--or just plain old.

Getting tattoos and piercings is stupid. That being said, I think anyone of ANY age should be allowed to get them. They offer an excellent instant indication to others that, " I am a doofus; deal with me at your own risk.

Ear piercing, one in each ear, is okay but only after the consent of a parent or guardian. No on anything else. They're too young, especially for a tattoo.

In Australia you have to be eighteen to get a tattoo unless you have you parents permission then its sixteen. Health (Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Regulations 2004. I was sixteen when I got my first tattoo, I was still sixteen when I got the next three.So I had four tattoos done when I was sixteen.

My mother has tattoos and she said that if I want them I can get them with her permission. The matter is only get them if you will love them for life and won't regret them. I was sure I wanted mine and still am sure its what I want.

I was warned be friends and family I could ruin my chances of getting a job because of where I got them but that didn't happen, my boss doesn't mind them being out in plane sight. I agree with JuliaCoutre on the fact that its my body and the choices I make will affect me and not my parents. Also how she says that if parents say no the kids will get tattoos behind their back, sometimes by friends with a tattoo needle.

One of my friends got a tattoo done and didn't ask his parents permission and didn't even tell them he got it done. With what Mike Lickteig said 'i think 16 is too young to make decisions like this' I don't believe this is true. Some sixteen year olds are more mentally mature then say 20 years olds etc. Just because of the age people always think that we are immature and cant make correct decisions.

Which is wrong, we can make sound judgements and decisions.

To answer your question whether a 16 year old should be allowed to get a tattoo or body piercings, depends upon the individuals guardian since you need consent to have this done at this age. I personally do not think it is appropriate. It could be given as a gift or the individual should wait until age appropriate in case they change the way they think by then and may regret getting the tattoo or piercing.

Atleast then they can afford to get it themselves after earning the money to buy it. It is a costly habit, and yes, people get addicted to piercings and tattoos. Therefore, don't rush it at an early age.

It depends on why you want it. If you want it because everyone else has one, then no. Which is often the case with younger teens.

If you want it cause you feel you want it, and would still get one if NOBODY else had one. Then I think you should be able to express yourself.

No, not without parental consent anyways. I was that age not too long ago and we definitely do stupid shit. I don't think one lip or nose ring is too out of hand but they need someone to tell them when to stop, or tell them no.

If you can prove you can be responsible with other things, then I don't see why you can't be trusted to make decisions with your body. Otherwise, you're just being an impulsive trend following teenager. I suppose it wouldn't matter anyways, there's ways around getting them done with consent.

Most of my piercings were done myself, or by my "friends" which I'd be more worried about. Whatever, kids that age just need to put more thought into it, I used to be a pin cushion and I have the facial scars to prove my stupidity.

I think that when your 16 years old, your a little more decisive as to what you want. Im 16 years old myself and I already have my lip pirced on the side, my tongue and a tattoo on my arm. Although I might not look and act 16, its my body and the choices I make will affect me and not my parents.

If thats something your child really wants then you should talk about it to her him/her and know why she wants it. If you say no, good chances it will be done behind your back because all piercing shops allow 16 year olds to get those without parents permission.

I'm 17 and I have 2 tattoos, and my tongue and nose peirced. I feel as though it should be a personal decision no matter your age. I agree completely with JULIACOUTURE.

Kids/teens these days are in such a rush to grow up, and this might be something that helps make them feel grown up Without harming them or driving them away form their families. Piercings can heal, and tattoos can be covered. Teens should be able to be held accountable for their decisions to THEIR body.

Its nothing thats ovewhelming, and no one should be judged by such changes.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.