I asked to get my belly button pierced for my 17th birthday. Mom said YES. Dad said NO. what should i do? How can i convince my parents that i am old enough?

Wait until you are 18 and don't need parents' permission.

Wait until you're 18.

You can wait to turn 18 and do whatever you want. Or you can wait for your dad to come around, but this isn't the kind of thing your typical dad goes for.

You should respect your parents' wishes and not try to play them off one another. Mom saying YES isn't Mom saying "You really should rush out and do this regardless of what your Dad says".

Convince your parents that you're old enough by showing them that you have good judgement and that you deserve to get to make decisions like this for yourself. Try to understand why your dad said no and from that understanding either accept his reasoning or come up with an argument that will bring his point of view around to yours.

Or, just sneak out and get it done without them knowing; you're 17 not 12.

i would just do it anyway. not the best advice really, but that is what i would do.

I would not let you if you were my daughter.

Wait another year Don't do something because it's "cool" if you truly want it, then waiting will be worthwhile.

The first thing you need to figure out is why dad said no. Then you can begin to address the issue. Is he grossed out by piercings? Is he concerned about potential safety risks? Does he simply think you're too young for that? If you want to convince then that you're old enough, try to persuade him in a mature fashion. Impress him with some carefully researched information about the procedure and related issues. It shouldn't be too much of an uphill battle since your mom agrees. Just don't pit them against each other and make the whole thing that much more uncomfortable.

And btw, don't you legally have to be at least 18 to get that kind of piercing? Or are you allowed to do it with your parents' consent? If you go to a place where you can do it while underage and without your parents' consent, please do be sure the place uses proper safety procedures (only new needles and jewelry, proper sterilization of equipment, etc.) I know you've heard all this before, but I had to say it just in case. And p.s. I got my first piercing (aside from my ears) when I was 17, but I didn't bother freaking my mom out because it's somewhere she'll never see. If you absolutely have to, wait until you're 18 (it's not so far away) and then you're free to do what you want with your own body. I trust your dad won't love you any less for it, and he'll get over it eventually.

I see it this way.. Your body is the property of your parents until you are responsible enough to take care of it on your own. Accept their decisions, and when you become an adult (which will be soon), do what you want.

It depends on how Dad will take it if you do. If he'll explode, don't. A simple body adornment is just not worth it. If Mom will back you up and he takes it well, then do it. He'll come around.

My niece is 15 and just had hers done. My brother also was against it. Apparently these things can be done.

Your dad loves you, remember that.

Not much. Since your mom is on your side, get her to talk to your dad. Maybe she can sway him. Kiss your dad's ass. I don't know. Whatever works on your dad.

Remember, usually to parents, piercings & tattoos = easy chick. Let them know that's not the case.

hmmm...tough one
i think your pop may just be having some troubles accepting that his little girl is growing up. and he may see the peircing as a 'sexual' thing or something. dad is just being protective.
i think your mom should take you and keep it a secret until you're 18...or just wait until you're 18, either way

I agree with justjulie, just get your Mom to take you and don't let your Dad know.

Belly button piercing is too sexy for a newly turned 17 year old. No wonder your father is against it. Just wait until you are 18.

What has happened to qual?

Tell them you're pregnant!!!

gone to crap in a handbasket

Wait until you're 18. Then you won't need to convince them.

Wait until you're 18. It's only a year. Maybe your dad will have come around by then and if not, then you're adult and it's not their say anymore.

I have no idea. 17...I think you're old enough. 17...you're almost 18, which means you're an adult almost.

Wait until you are 18. Why do you want to get it pierced anyway?

You should just wait until you are 18. You are not an adult and you can not do what you want. It is not right to play your parents off of eachother and it is not right for you to go behind either of their backs and go ahead and do it. If one parent says no thats it, end of discussion. I know you think you are so grown up and mature and should be able to decide for yourself but trust me you are not. at 16 almost 17 most kids have a lot of growing up to do. I see girls with belly button peircings and they act provacativly and dress that way as well. If you were my kid I would not allow it either.

Wait one more year--you'll be 18, which is the age of independence in most cases.

The easiest thing to do would be wait a while. But then again, it is your body, and you have the right to do with it what you want, as long as you're aware of the consequences. The only thing I'd caution against is making into too huge of a deal with either parent. Your relationship with them is surely more important than what parts of you are pierced.

Obviously you aren't old enough. If you don't yet know that the word "I" is ALWAYS capitalised, you are too silly to get a piercing.

Just do it.

well, if your mom thinks its ok, techniclly you can do it.


just dont blame yourself for the divorce.

Yes, good point. i totally agree.

Wait until you are 18.

A belly button peircing is a very sexual thing. You really should wait until you are 18.

Your Dad understands this. I'd go with him.

At 17 you are old enough, but sadly you aren't legally. You don't feel mature, you ARE (for piercings, not to marry and settle down.), but since you aren't on paper, it's better if you wait. it's just a formal thing.
I know one year it's long at your age.

Or...just do it and bear with the yelling for a few days.

Yes that's probable the best thing; unless your parents are a bunch of psychos that will kill you.

and it is wrong and disobeying? so what? do it if you want. Most of us have done things our parents didn't really want (well I actually didn't much, but I'm strange.); unless your parents basically let you do everything and that's the only thing that's forbidden in that case you should respect them.
But if they are the typical "you're too young to dress like that, you're too young to stay out, you're too young to drink, you're too young to THINK" then REBEL BUT bear with what happens next. Show them you're responsible enough to do what you want and bear with them yelling at you if you do.

I lost my virginity at age 17. I look back now and wonder "What was I thinking?" I was WAAAY too young for that.
I'm 29 now, and the things I did and thought at 17 make me cringe. You'll come to that point in your life too. Just wait a year until you're 18 and a legal adult (although emotionally still a kid).

Is it even legal to get pierced at that age?

What's one more year? Your belly button will still be there.

You lost it with your husband right?
and then you married him and you are still married to him and somewhat happy I think?

that means you did the right and adult choice I would say, if your matrimony works. I know you didn't marry at 17 (if I remember), but being a Christian probably you had intention of marrying him soon or later I suppose.
So much for being a kid.
And your decision of being with that man was way more important than piercing a navel.

I suppose Mom knows that Dad said no...so trying to sneak won't work. Try being nice first, or tell Dad if he doesn't let you pierce your belly button, when you are 18 you will get pierced in a place or places he can't see :)

Yeah, he's the only one I've ever been with. And we're very happy together.
I wouldn't say it was an adult choice though. I had no business "getting busy" because I was in no way ready for a baby or get married at the time.

Did I have the intention of marrying him at the time? I don't know, I guess the intention any 17 year old has at the moment and we all know how fleeting that can be. I knew I was in love with him at the time and knowing that, I felt at the time having sex was the right thing. Looking back, it was reckless and I was very lucky I didn't get in trouble one way or another.

I'm not sure if having sex for the first time is more important than piercing a naval. Think about how a pierced naval would look on an 80 year old woman. Pretty silly. It all has to do with how responsible a person is about their body.

Well, if you don't put a ring on it for a while it probably closes on its own.
It's not like you have to be 80 and with a navel piercing I suppose.
of course having sex is more important, aside from dying I don't think there's something more important.

Not much you can do - obey Dad, get it done anyway, or wait until your 18

Just do it. What are they gonna do rip it out? Just don't tell your dad. How often does he look at your belly button. Just make sure your mom is with you when you do it.

You're not. Do what you're told.

Don't play your parents against each other. Wait until you're 18 & then you're free to get any piercings & tattoos you want.

Is there some reason you can't wait another year until you're 18? Your belly button will still be there and you won't need permission from either of them.

brap !