A mother is facing backlash after allowing her 12-year-old daughter to get a tongue piercing. Whitney Ainscough shared a video on social media featuring her daughter, Cora, proudly displaying her new jewelry while at McDonald’s. In the clip, Whitney wrote, “Sooo… Cora got her tongue pierced last week. A lot of people will judge, but she wanted it. It’s been cleaned properly and it’s something she wanted.”
Whitney admitted in the video that she wasn’t thrilled about the idea at first but ultimately agreed to it with Cora’s father. She emphasized that Cora had taken care of the piercing and was happy with her decision. Whitney mentioned that she warned Cora about potential swelling but noted that her daughter was excited about the piercing because “it looks nice.”
Despite the initial hesitation, Whitney expressed that she would recommend the experience to others, even acknowledging the pain and swelling that can come with it. In Australia, where they live, individuals must be over 18 to get a piercing without parental consent, while in the UK, age policies vary by business.
The video drew immediate criticism, with many commenters questioning Whitney’s parenting choices. Some described the piercing as "too sexual" for a child of Cora’s age, while others criticized the piercing studio for allowing such a young person to receive a tongue piercing. One commenter stated, “Your parenting once again is shocking,” while another said, “Red flag from the piercing studio that would do a tongue on someone this young.”
However, not everyone shared the same concerns. Some viewers supported Cora’s choice, recalling their own experiences getting piercings at a young age. One comment read, “Why’s everyone hating? There’s nothing wrong with getting it done at 12.”
In a humorous exchange, Cora expressed her desire to get more piercings, including additional ear piercings, to which Whitney responded with disbelief, noting that Cora already has several piercings. Whitney concluded by stating firmly, “No more piercings,” but it seems Cora might not be finished just yet.