For many, getting your ears pierced is one of the most exciting days of your life! Imagine a little diamond stud sitting on your ear like a prized possession or a trophy proudly shimmering for everyone to see. However, prior to the aspect of beauty, short-lived pain and annoyance occurs. Getting one’s ears pierced feels like a minor pinch, and I have been told that other piercings aside from the lobe potentially hurt more dependent on individual tolerance. Individuals are not permitted to touch their ears or change earrings for the first few weeks of being pierced. This is done in order to avoid infection and closing of the piercing hole. Most people probably presume that moms are best at ensuring that their precious baby girls take care of their ears during the beginning of the piercing stage.

However, many people may not understand that dads are perfectly capable of being in charge of their daughters, or sons’, newly drilled ears. My story is a prime example of reducing gender stereotypes in relation to jewelry wearing and ear piercing. I was ecstatic to get my ears pieced at age 8. However, I was shocked to learn that my mother would not be accompanying me on this monumental outing. Quite the contrary, my father took me to the jeweler. At first, I found it strange that my mom, someone who had her ears pierced for years, was absent from this adventure. My dad, a man who had little to no experience with earrings, was expected to be responsible for me during this process? Nonetheless, my dad demonstrated great patience and immense calmness as I got my ears pierced. He acted as a source of comfort, and I am grateful that he was with me on my journey. While I am sad that my mom wasn’t there, I am glad that my dad and I will forever share this special moment together.

When I was younger and naive, I didn’t understand that people of all gender identifications have the power to be pierced wherever they please. Therefore, the idea of a male being present with me during this phase seemed foreign. Little did I know that this was such a pleasantly important and powerful decision! My dad and I were able to bond on a different level, and I will eternally remember eating pizza after my piercing to celebrate this new chapter of my life. I was so tempted to touch my ears because these new, shiny doodads were dangling from my ear, and I felt cool having glistening ears.

However, my dad advised me to only touch my ears with a napkin if I felt the urge to do so. He checked that I took care of myself and protected me from damaging my earlobes. Reflecting back on this day, I feel extremely blessed to have had my dad by my side, and I encourage more fathers to travel with their daughters who are getting their ears pierced. I also hope that parents of different genders go with their children to miscellaneous kinds of appointments and various activities. A father being with his daughter while she is getting her ears pierced should not be seen as anything other than beautiful, and all other negative societal images relating to this idea must disappear.

Thank you for the everlasting memory, Dad!