Is Piercing a 7 Month Old Baby’s Ears Cruel or Tradition?

Girls and pierced ears go hand and hand in my family.  It is a tradition to do it soon after the girl is born.  But is it cruel to pierce a baby's ears?

Over the weekend, supermodel Gisele Bundchen posted a picture to Instagram of her and 7 month old baby girl.  In the picture, it is clear that baby Vivian Lake has pierced ears.  I was shocked.  Not because of the earrings, but because of the backlash she was getting.

Babies with pierced ears are not a big deal in my family.  As a matter of fact, it is tradition.  If someone in our family has a baby girl, her ears are usually pierced weeks after she is born.

In many Latin countries, like Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and even Brazil,
baby girls ears are pierced in the hospital.  It is often handled like a circumcision on infant boys, tradition!

The argument presented, was the fact that Vivian is a baby and no anesthesia was used.  The fact is that a shot of anesthesia would hurt worse than the piercing itself.  And regardless of the age, it will hurt the same.

Maybe it's just me, but I think your baby, your choice.  If you are against the piercing of infants, don't pierce your daughter's ears.  That simple.  As for me, the tradition will continue.  If I ever (no time in the near future) have a daughter, the tradition will continue and her ears will be pierced as an infant.

What do you think: cruel or tradition?