I think if it was my child I would wait. Let the child decide. (Just my opinion) I've already said (to Dustin) that if daughter wants her ears pierced I would try to have her wait until she's at least 8-10 so she can make the decision herself. If our son wants the same thing I would try to have him wait until he was at least 13. (Yes, I'm sexist)

I was 5 when I got my first set of holes. I asked Mom and had to work to get them. When I was 13 I got my second set (Mom paid for) and a cartilage piercing in my right ear (I had to pay for) for a school dance. Mom had been talking with me about the second set for a while before that. Mainly because she wanted a second set herself but she ended up chickening out. I got my third set on my 19th birthday. For the finale to my piercing fascination I got my navel done for my 25th birthday. (Now onto Tattoos - they take longer to plan out and save up for)

I've flip-floped on the pain issue. I remember the first ones hurting so bad that I wanted to go home and do the other ear later. My second ones and the cartilage didn't hurt at all. My third set though, . I thought my frickin' ears were going to fall off. The lady that pierced them told me that my lobes were to thick for a third set (Mom likes to tease me for having fat earlobes now) but I just had to have them. Guess I learned my lesson.