Ear Rings

[The Master of Tarquin Hill]

I don't understand ear rings.

I don't understand why people willingly accept puncture wounds.

I don't understand why my grandmothers and people of their era (and before) used pressure clasp ear rings that hurt them on a daily basis.

What compelled me to make this thread was that I was watching a show with intelligent people who I respect, talking about contemporary issues which deserved to considered, yet they have these silly weird jangly things which keep drawing my eye.

It just made me think about how absurd it was that social convention forced these women into wearing these completely unnecessary accoutrements.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

It's funny, I have 2 earrings in my left ear, got them in the mid 80's.

But I hate seeing "other" things pierced on women. That's as much of a turn-off for me as tattoos on women.

I guess earrings have been around for such a long time, it's not as weird.

 

[Amaris]

It's probably because they like them. Why do people get tattoos? Because it creates an aesthetic they find pleasant and expressive. It's also a long standing human trait to decorate our bodies, that goes back to the time of cavemen. I plan on getting a tattoo myself, and maybe even my ears pierced. It's just something I would find appealing.

 

[wamdue]

Ear rings are ok, I wouldn't get one, would never know what to put in it (same as tattoos), but those flesh tunnels are a little strange.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

It just made me think about how absurd it was that social convention forced these women into wearing these completely unnecessary accoutrements.

Social convention doesn't force the issue. Women (and men) have enjoyed adorning their bodies since... pretty much forever ago.

I had my ears pierced because I think earrings look really nice on me, especially since I usually wear my hair very short. It's much more comfortable to have pierced ears than to wear clip-on earrings. And the piercing itself hurts for only a few minutes.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ Unless something snags one of 'em.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

^Or a baby pulls on them. I had that happen a couple times before I learned. Ouch.

 

[The Master of Tarquin Hill]

It just made me think about how absurd it was that social convention forced these women into wearing these completely unnecessary accoutrements.

Social convention doesn't force the issue. Women (and men) have enjoyed adorning their bodies since... pretty much forever ago.

I had my ears pierced because I think earrings look really nice on me, especially since I usually wear my hair very short. It's much more comfortable to have pierced ears than to wear clip-on earrings. And the piercing itself hurts for only a few minutes.

Social convention does force the issue. A course in women or gender studies might make this a little clearer to you. If most women did not conform to the societal norm, your argument (that it is enjoyable) would be effective.

 

[auntiehill]

I have never worn earrings (clip-ons or otherwise), and I have never felt the need to poke holes in my ears, either. I think perhaps because my own mother never got her ears pierced that I never felt the pressure to do so. My mom does occasionally wear clip on earrings, which I've tried and found painful as hell, so I never went that route, either. But I'm not the typical female: I don't wear high heels, I avoid stockings like the plague, I rarely wear skirts or dresses, and I never get my nails done.

I never have worn earrings and simply have never wanted to.

 

[scotpens]

Social convention does force the issue. A course in absurd radical feminist propaganda might make this a little clearer to you.

Fixed it for you.

I suppose you think women are somehow “forced” into wearing high heels as well?

 

[Scout101]

Are they wearing them because they're comfortable and easy to get around in?

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Social convention does force the issue. A course in absurd radical feminist propaganda might make this a little clearer to you.

Fixed it for you.

Agreed. Well done, scotpens.

Regarding earrings, personally I've always found them strange. But then, clearly I'm the strange one, because I'd say a majority of people appreciate them.

 

[Holdfast]

Social convention does not force an issue; it simply applies a very forceful push. People can choose to resist at the cost of willpower and/or social detriment. It is not the same as being forced, which implies a complete absence of choice.

In any case, earrings are a poor example of a strong social convention these days, as a sufficient minority of women don't wear earrings (or use clip-ons) as to make it acceptable subset behaviour not to be pierced.

Same applies to those wearing flats rather than heels, though personally, I'm all for ramping up the social convention pressure in a heels direction on that one!

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Social convention does force the issue. A course in women or gender studies might make this a little clearer to you. If most women did not conform to the societal norm, your argument (that it is enjoyable) would be effective.

Sorry, but you're saying that to the wrong woman. I don't paint my finger nails, rarely wear heels or makeup, shave my legs only in shorts/capris season, and had a career in a field that was 90% male when I started. Do I conform in many other ways? Of course. But, believe me, if I didn't love earrings, I wouldn't wear them. And, btw, I've taken women's studies.

Same applies to those wearing flats rather than heels, though personally, I'm all for ramping up the social convention pressure in a heels direction on that one!

Holdfast, I challenge you to wear heels for a week and then say that again.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

 

[TheSeeker]

Well I'm a 40 year old male and have both my ears pierced. It's not just for women you know.

 

[Sean Aaron]

I had my ear pierced, but took it out a long time ago because I didn't like feeling the "jangly thing" any more. I had it done for the same reason I have a pierced nipple and a "prince albert": I enjoy the aesthetic. If you don't understand that then I guess it's not for you.

 

[TheSeeker]

Wow. That one definitely falls under TMI.

 

[Sean Aaron]

Well, the original post seemed to go beyond mere earrings so it didn't seem off-limits. Not like I posted pics!

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

GOFUCKING DAMNIT WHY DID I GOOGLE THAT IN IMAGES.