Throughout time body modification has been a part of history. In many cultures, tattoos and piercings were part of the ritual of “becoming a man,” or in other words – growing up. In many parts of the world, this rite of passage still goes on.

In America, body modification may not always have rituals and deep meanings behind it, but it is still a part of growing up. One of the biggest trends for teens is piercings. Not just ear piercings, but facial piercings. It’s hard to walk down the hallways without seeing someone who has a facial piercing, everything from eyebrow piercings to lip rings.

One of the questions on people’s minds, especially parents’, is should younger teens be getting piercings? Jo Ann Erickson, Psychology teacher, says no. She has told her own teenage daughter she’ll have to wait until she’s 18 to get a piercing. Erickson herself waited until she was 16 to have her ears pierced. She has no other piercings. Erickson is not entirely against facial piercings.

“I have seen them done tastefully,” Erickson said. “But I have also seen them done in a way that I think is almost a form of self-mutilation.”

Erickson believes younger teens should wait until they’re older, and really consider the consequence of getting a piercing.

“I don’t think people realize your face is one of the first things people judge you on,” Erickson said. “Or maybe they do and that’s their message.”

Overkill is what Erickson dislikes the most about facial piercings – one or two may not look bad, but she advises teens to practice moderation on how many piercings they get. To teens who choose to get piercings, Erickson simply hopes they will practice common sense on how many, and remember that people do make judgments, whether or not their judgments are right.

Michael Smith, Albert Lea High School freshman, disagrees. He thinks younger teens should get piercings if they want them – it’s an important part of self-expression. Smith got his lip ring at age 15, the summer after eighth grade. He plans on getting more in the future. Smith does share Erickson’s view point on not going overboard.

“You should be able to get piercings because it’s a way of showing who you are, as long as you don’t overdo it,” Smith said.

Smith said not letting younger teens get piercings encourages them to rebel. Many teens will have friends pierce them if their parents won’t let them. This is dangerous. Piercing too deep with some piercings can cause paralysis in parts of the face.

It used to be that only the rebels got facial piercings – the kids who really stood out. In today’s society, piercings are more acceptable and common among teens and even people of older generations. Smith thinks everyone should be able to express themselves how they chose.

What side of the debate you choose is up to you. Just remember that everyone sees things differently. In the end, it’s all a matter of opinion and only you can decide.