Its totally a personal choice as to what you do with your kids ears. I personally think they look stunning on some children, and this might not sounds PC, but little darker babies like indian or chinese children, just looks gorgeous with little gold earrings.
In saying that, I wont be letting my daughter get her ears pierced until she is 10. That way she will be looking after them, and it will be a treat for her then. I didn't get them done til I was older, and I wasn't allowed to get anything else pierced! My younger brother however has plenty pierced, and I dontlike the scars they leave behind.
Different families have different values. I tend to be a bit more conservative since I was bought up that way