I think that, the "abuse" word aside, that kids shouldn't have their ears pierced or be circumcised or any other physical aspect changed that is not necessary, by decision of the parents, especially if when the child is older they can probably say for themselves they want x or y "done". I also think religion should not be forced on children, they should be able to choose, which I was able to myself. I don't see any advantage for a kid to have circumcision or ears pierced or any of that, and there will be unnecessary pain involved, and possible disadvantages instead. Your child is not a toy to "dress up".
All this said, I don't look down on people who have their kids' ears pierced, it's relatively harmless. I would not do so to my kids unless they requested it - it's not my body to put holes in! As for circumcision, I'm not in favour of it because it's an unnecessary and very sensitive medical procedure, but I can't condemn people who have it done to their little boys if they are in a society that in most cases chooses to do it.
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Whether we write or speak or do but look
We are ever unapparent. What we are
Cannot be transfused into word or book.
Our soul from us is infinitely far.
However much we give our thoughts the will
To be our soul and gesture it abroad,
Our hearts are incommunicable still.
In what we show ourselves we are ignored.
The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged
By any skill of thought or trick of seeming.
Unto our very selves we are abridged
When we would utter to our thought our being.
We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams,
And each to each other dreams of others' dreams.
Fernando Pessoa, 1918
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