Each to their own i say.
Dsd got them done at 5 at her request, they were only cleaned while she was at our house & ended up with multiple infections so they had to be removed & let close over, she is now so afraid of the infections which she says hurt much worse than the actual piercing getting done, that despite her desire to redo them shes too afraid.
Ive had gun & needle piercings in my ears & face & found the gun to be much quicker & pain free than needle piercings, but then i didnt think the ears hurt at all. The needle actually removes a piece of skin from you for the hole & takes longer to grow over if you change your mind. Dd loves my earrings & touches them asks about them then says 'my turn', the only reason i havent let her have a turn is the ongoing problems weve had with ear infections, wax, fluid etc, once thats all sorted if she continues to ask, ill take her to have it done.
Maybe its my upbringing, i had multiple piercings in each ear by 14, but i just dont see ear piercing as an issue.

