Airy Lobes

They used to be the trademark of African virgins looking for husbands, or European grandes dames who did not want to lose the family jewels. Now pierced ears are the latest craze among U.S. teen-age girls.

At a Houston high school, only a handful of girls had punctured lobes last spring. This fall, 30% had them.

Two years ago, Beverly Hills Jeweler Marvin Hime was lucky to unload ten pairs of pierced earrings in a week.

Now he sells over 100. Comments one Boston jeweler: "The thing has spread like a virus. I used to make only a few.

This year I sold 2,400."

Many parents are outraged. They ar gue that young girls should not wear any kind of earrings, let alone a type that might permanently scar their ear lobes. Other parents point out that in order to hide the hole, most of the girls wear their earrings all the time, even when they look ridiculous. Comments the headmistress of a boarding school in Lake Forest, Ill.: "Earrings are fine for parties and dates, but not for bending over algebra."

Any doctor can, and many do, per form the operation in a matter of minutes on an assembly-line basis for a fee ranging from $5 to $25. And many parents give their consent for an operation only because they know that if a doctor does not do it, some school chum is ready and willing. All she needs is a fat sewing needle, a couple of ice cubes (for numbing the lobe), and some thick white thread to keep the breach open.

All too often the result is infected lobes and holes that are out of line.

The girls argue that their airy lobes will save Daddy money because earrings can no longer fall down side walk gratings or get left behind in telephone booths (what woman leaves a regular earring on her telephone ear while calling?). Moreover, they argue -- with some reason -- that pierced earrings are by far the most attractive ones available. Fanciest are the ethereal antique candelabra and gypsy gewgaws, but most popular are the simple gold, pearl or jade "buttons" -- perhaps be cause they do not catch on sweaters.

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