I'm one not for doing it this young... and I haven't read all 6 pages of this thread

I think it should be the childs decision when they are a bit older. It is a personal decision
That the child is old enough to be responsible to look after them by themselves - learning about them, infections, cleaning earings etc
And I think it looks a bit tacky

And I most certainly wouldn't go behind DH's back and get it done.... let alone contemplate involving a third person in the equation, it would be something that I would most definitely want to be there for.