<p>Ok, so I know this is random, but my son wants to get his ears pierced, and I am not sure that is a good idea, being that he will be at boarding school in the fall. I don't know what prep school culture is like, but I hate for him to get them pierced just to be unable to wear them due to school rules or worse, have teachers or students make judgements about who he is based on his earrings. He is not interested in gages, just regular earrings. I guess my question is this: how conservative are boarding schools in general about things like this and would having earrings negatively impact him?</p>
<p>At SPS, I know there are a few kids with tattoos. Not too many as technically you must be 18 to get a tattoo in most states. Most are older kids. I don’t think you’d have any issues with it, especially if concealed. SPS is a pretty relaxed and accepting place. Based on my observations at Exeter and Andover, it wouldn’t be a big deal at those schools either.</p>
<p>As a parent I wouldn’t support tattoos on my own teens but that’s each family’s personal preference.</p>
<p>In general, most private schools frown upon boys earrings, body piercing, excessive long hair and tattoos. It could be about school image or not wanting kids to return home from BS w/ newly acquired fashion looks, or both.
Our story: D came home from BS w/nose earring. We were not too happy about this and called the school since it was against the dress code. (she no longer wears it!)
Hey we a dealing w/ teenagers. If the door is a little bit opened some, like our child, will take advantage.</p>
<p>Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile. I’m going to say “no” on this one, especially since I just had a young pierced tattoo individual in my office yesterday. I was doing a friend of friend a favor in interviewing their son for a start up job. I think my office assistant (pc) got a kick out of the whole thing. I mean didn’t know whether to read him or get a magnet just to see what would happen to him. Needless to say, I wasn’t going to hire him, to put it bluntly, he looked like a fool. IMO your son and many others want to stand out, make a statement, be noticed but the way to stand out at school is be part of the school, be active in so many of the opportunities these schools offer. Study, do your best, participate in class and extra curricular activities and just be your self. IMO, a young teenage boy doesn’t do himself any favors with the piercing, tattoos much less earrings. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>Can you wait two weeks? After March 10th, you will know which dress codes to investigate. You and your son will be able to speak with current parents and students. At that point, you can gather enough information to decide about earrings.</p>
<p>Check out the student handbooks which are posted on most school’s web sites. They will have the rules listed. Some schools specifically state it is not allowed. Others are more liberal with their rules about it.</p>
<p>Tell your son that I have a pierced ear…the result of a college girlfriend’s suggestion and rash 18-year old impulse. </p>
<p>How much have I worn it since college? I could probably count the times on one hand…mostly to weird out my daughters or to see if anyone notices.</p>
<p>Hi everyone. Thanks for the input! I have asked my son to wait a year and see how he feels after a year at BS, but he is still very insistent that he wants to do it before he leaves. You all have definitely given me food for thought.</p>
<p>Tinkerbell, I have checked some of the websites, and you are right, some do and some don’t allow earrings. I guess my concern is he will go somewhere that it is permitted, but frowned upon either by his peers or his teachers. </p>
<p>SevenDad, I love your story… that’s so funny I can totally imagine your daughters freaking out (my kids would if my husband suddenly showed up with an earring! Hmm… maybe he should get an earring just for that reason!). I will definitely share your story with my son.</p>
<p>When my d got her ears pierced, my son was about 10 and we thought it would be hysterical to get one of those magnetic earrings for my son just so he could wear it home to freak out his father. So my daughter comes home, “Daddy! Daddy! I got my ears pierced!” and I said, “Yeah, I thought we might as well do son’s while we were there.” But the look my husband gave to son made him immediately pull it off and say, “IT’S NOT REAL! It’s not real…I Promise!!” </p>
<p>To the OP: I haven’t seen too many earrings at Exeter, but I doubt anyone would really care. Nowadays, the fashion seems to run more towards self-mutilation rather than a simple pierced earlobe so it’s unlikely it would cause much attention. Be but warned that if he goes to Groton or Deerfield, it MUST be a pearl. ;)</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone will care. Even my hubby has one pierced ear. When I was at Exeter in the stone ages several boys had pierced ears who were avid boaters. It’s pretty mainstream now.</p>
<p>What might not go over well are the more extreme horns, or those huge imbedded rings with a hole in the middle of the ear (like Neato says - self mutilation).</p>
<p>But tiny and discrete is probably not an issue. I do agree, though, wait until after acceptances, then inquire.</p>
<p>My daughter had small pierced ear studs that had to be removed (per regulations) for interscholastic sports competitions (even track and field) and some dance performances, so make sure he’s able to take the earrings in and out easily, and have a plan for keeping track of them when they are out.</p>
<p>There is no big deal about a boy getting an earring.</p>
<p>The bigger question I think is why he has to be packed off to boarding school. I expect he hasn’t been given a say in it, and by that I mean a proper say. What exactly is wrong with an ordinary school?</p>
<p>Thames4, welcome to the forum! I presume you’re British, given your nickname. </p>
<p>If you’re interested in some of the reasons children and parents would give for choosing a boarding school, please feel free to read the years of threads on this forum covering that very topic.</p>
<p>@Thames- Count me in as a parent who is looking at BS because her daughter WANTS to go. As a transplanted Brit- this is NOT english public schools where kids go to be TORTURED. BS here is a very different experience- don’t assume kids are being “shipped off”- they are chosing to go- read the kids’ posts. They are EAGER to go</p>
<p>@Thames…
Your assumption is totally incorrect. My son is so excited to go to boarding school… it is his choice to go for the better sports, extracurriculars and academics, plus more independence… and I can’t imagine a better choice for him.</p>
<p>Note the new person only has a single post. Wait and see if this is just someone posting under a different name. Some students have been known to do that - especially given the nature of the comment in light of this board’s emphasis.</p>
I can totally imagine your daughters freaking out (my kids would if my husband suddenly showed up with an earring! Hmm… maybe he should get an earring just for that reason!). I will definitely share your story with my son.</p>