Can someone tell me the difference please?

Between a 15-year old boy wearing Roberts Smith-style makeup and going out in public with his mate similarly attired AND a 17-year old girl getting her ears pierced more than once in each ear?

What's worse?

What would you think would be ACCEPTABLE?

I still find it amusing that the former is a now considered a funny tale about their kooky (yet wholly normal) son, whereas the latter was dealt with threats of being thrown out of home.

Once again, am I overreacting people? Surely not ...