A dramatic new look for North West has sparked fierce criticism of Kim Kardashian, with many saying the reality star “has to do a better job” at parenting.
Since Kim Kardashian and Kanye, now known as Ye, split in 2021, the reality star has become the primary caregiver of 13-year-old North West, while continuing to support her daughter’s growing interest in music and fashion.
North, who is preparing for her first tour as a signed recording artist, first showed off 14K white gold grills in April before later appearing with blue hair and what looked like multiple dermal piercings on her hands.
The makeover didn’t go unnoticed, quickly sparking discussion online.
But, leaning into the online conversation about her appearance, North appeared to make it part of her music.
In her debut single “Piercing on My Hand (Ye Version),” she sings: “All my friends are hits, you know I’m not lazy/You’re so angry that I’m so mainstream. I’m not sure I’m crazy/I want more piercings and tats/I love blue hair put it in some plaits/Put the music to the max/I want like a hundred thousand racks.”
The song quickly became another flashpoint in the growing debate surrounding North’s appearance and the attention quickly shifted to Kardashian’s parenting.
‘Parents don’t parent anymore’
While some praised the 45-year-old mom for allowing her daughter to express herself, others questioned whether a 13-year-old should be making decisions about body modifications.
“Kim sometimes you just gotta say no,” one netizen wrote in the comment section of a clip posted on the TikTok account shared by Kardashian and her daughter.
“This is horrific. Kim has to do a better job,” a second shared, while a third wrote: “I swear parents don’t parent anymore.”
One TikToker, pointing to what seems like scars on Noth’s knuckles, wrote, “The dark marks are from the ones that rejected. So yes they’re real.”
“Who the hell would do that to a 13yr old? permanent scars,” another added.
‘It’s OK’
Rather than ignoring the backlash, People reports that North fired back at her critics in a now-deleted TikTok video.
In the clip, North is lip syncing the words, “Why are you crying? How old are you? Just pull it together.”
“This is for everyone that’s mad over a finger piercing,” she wrote before sharing another clip with her mom, where the pair only said, “It’s OK.”
In a later interview, Kardashian defended her daughter’s fashion choices, explaining that North “has a really unique style.”
“It’s just really fun to see someone be so creative. And also know herself so much,” the mother of four said. “I would never take that creativity away from her.”
‘Just don’t do it’
But the debate soon extended beyond fashion, with doctors and parenting experts saying that it’s actually not OK.
Speaking to the New York Post, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey Hartman didn’t hesitate when asked about the trend.
“Just don’t do it,” Hartman said.
He warned that improper healing or aftercare can have lasting consequences.
“Long term, these piercings can lead to hypertrophic scars, hyperpigmentation, disfigurement and loss of function of the body part where the piercing is done, particularly in patients with highly melanated skin, like North West,” he told the outlet.
‘Strict age limit’
The discussion has also prompted parenting experts to weigh in on whether age alone should determine when children are allowed to get piercings or tattoos.
Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, told The Independent she would prefer stricter age limits for more unusual cosmetic procedures.
“I would love to see a strict age limit,” McCready told the outlet, adding that “the more important criteria is the child’s amount of maturity in the decision-making process that they’ve put forth.”
McCready encouraged parents to look beyond a simple yes-or-no answer by asking children why they want a piercing and whether the decision reflects a long-term desire or short-lived social media influence.
“It’s a similar conversation when deciding to get them a cell phone, asking them: ‘How long have they wanted to do this?’ And especially for a dermal piercing, like, ‘What’s really driving this decision?’ Is this something they’re seeing on Instagram, where they’re seeing celebrities and their peers doing it?”
The parenting expert added: “I think we have to give Kim Kardashian the benefit of the doubt that she’s had the conversation with North. She must have a level of confidence that her daughter can handle this,” she says.
What do you think about North West’s look? Please let us know about Kim Kardashian’s parenting style and then share this story so we can hear from others!
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