This really is a cultural issue. I had my ears pierced when I was two days old. When we moved to the States, I was shocked that girls had to wait till they were thirteen. I did not understand the connection to puberty with earrings. It's not like boys will suddenly think you're 16 because you're an eight year old kid wearing earrings (most likely shaped like a heart or a rainbow).

So, to me, it was weird and ridiculous to wait when you could just have it done as a baby and be done with it.