Guys, Get Your Ears Pierced

Graphic by Ande Wittenmeier

When my friend asked if I wanted to get my ears pierced, my immediate response was no. I didn’t even know why I said no because I wanted to, but it was my instinctual response. Since senior year of high school, I had been thinking about it, but something about letting someone else know just felt weird. It was as if the second she asked me the question, the part of me that wanted to do it, buried itself beneath a deep-seated subconscious feeling of fear and insecurity. 

As a man, the world of fashion can be an intimidating space. Society normalizes and allows women to experiment and explore different styles, cuts, and aesthetics. But men’s fashion is largely stagnant and deviating from the societal norm in any manner can often feel like some kind of anti-establishment political statement. I constantly find myself struggling to fit my personal style in between traditional views of “masculinity” and fashion-forward concepts of gender-neutrality. 

It wasn’t that I didn’t think I would look good with the piercings, it was something else. My own hesitation toward piercing my ears was a reflection of what I perceived being a “man” meant. Men are constantly being told and shown what makes someone “masculine” and through these examples’ men change their behavior, ideals, and actions. The result is that men don’t take risks, whether that be socially or in fashion. It becomes easy for guys to get into a cycle of sneakers and hoodies because that is already what’s accepted. 

And then there’s the word… c’mon you know the word… don’t pretend you don’t… GAY. Yeah, that one. Society’s biggest insult to heterosexual men, the worst of the worst. An insult that is supposed to rip out every fiber of masculinity within you and then burn it on a rainbow flag at your feet. I have watched guys laugh off jokes about their appearance, their intelligence, athletic ability, but God forbid someone alleged that they’re gay. Society has sewed a fear, founded in misunderstanding and bigotry, into the everyday fabric of society. Arbitrarily deciding what it means to a straight man.

So, after about a week of some thinking (and some smoking), I came back to that same friend who asked about piercing my ears and I did it, in front of all the boys. Although piercing my ears wasn’t some revolutionary act, it felt meaningful. It was as if I conquered a little bit of my own internal bias.

For all the guys out there who’ve been wanting to pierce their ears, paint their nails, get a tattoo, or wear something other than a white shirt with the top button undone to a date function DO IT. Trust me no one cares. 

And if you are really concerned about how people are going to look at you just remember A$AP Rocky is with Rihanna, and he gets pedicures and wears pearl necklaces so I think you’ll be okay if you untuck your sweatpants from your socks.