DEAR ABBY: I want to get my belly button pierced this year for my 15th birthday, but my parents said no. It's just getting my belly button pierced. They let me dye my hair and get my cartilage pierced -- so why not my belly button?
It's not going to affect my parents whatsoever. It's my body. I think they should let me do reasonable things to it, like get my belly button pierced. I just don't get it. -- UNPIERCED IN WISCONSIN
DEAR UNPIERCED: Your parents may be afraid that if you get your belly button pierced you will want to expose that area of your body to show it off -- and they would prefer that you dress more modestly until you're older. They could also be concerned that your piercing might become infected. Whatever their reason, as a minor, you should not get anything pierced without their permission.