Was in the garage with my pre-teen boy. Held up a pair of dykes (wire cutters, get your mind out of the gutter) and asked him if he knew what they were for. When he said “no,” I told him that if he came home with an earring or piercing I would knock him down, put my knee on his chest, and use them to pull the hardware out. He knew, after a second, I was kidding, but I think (I hope) I made my point.
My father was a WWII pilot, and he always said only slimy types and drunks let themselves be marked up voluntarily.
I was never inclined to get marked up or have small holes punched in my body. I understand that it's currently a fad, but I have seen old guy with tats that look really bad. I wonder if all these young folks understand that there will come a day that they will regret having it done.