new thread
ok, so here it the thing, my son age 6, and in 1st grade has decided that he does not want to cut his hair. ever. which is perfectly fine with me! i think that even at age 6 he should be allowed to be an individual. right? so i made him a deal, as long as he keeps it clean, combed, out of his face, and does not allow it to cause a distraction in class he can grow it. oh by the way did i mention he wanted to grow it for locks of love? any way i got a letter from the school stating that he is required to get a hair cut by monday 1/14/2008 or there will be other measures taken. mind you his hair is very curly, and barly goes past his collar wet. i have tried and keep my composure about this, but i am begining to loose my cool! what right does anyone have to make my child conform to whom they think he should be? granted he is a child, not a gang banger, drug user, or any other sterotypical "long hair hippie trouble maker," (not meant to offend! ) i dig long hair on a guy! I have attached the most recent photo i have of him... his hair is too long. i am tired of it being ok for a woman to wear short hair, but not acceptable for a man to have long hair. personally i think it sexist! and as long as my son keeps his hair clean, and combed what concer should it be of anyone elses how long it is? think about it, the school boards already decide what the learn, eat, drink, watch, hear, and what clothes they can wear, how can the children of today be individual if we teach them that no one is different? we are not all the same. some boys want to be astronauts, others want to be pro bmx racers. and who are they to say an astronaut cant have long hair? the women do.... sexist! ok now i am just venting! if you could offer any advice on how to approach this matter without blowing a gasket, please enlighten me...thanks for reading!
Admittedly, my knowledge in this subject is limited. From what I've learned, it seems that a private school has more power to control the appearances of its students than does a public school. Which type does your son attend? If its a public school in the U.S., funded by taxpayer dollars, you've probably got some pretty solid legal ground to stand on, in contesting this.
I eagerly await those more knowledgable than myself who can offer more information and advice, and sincerely wish you the very best of luck in protecting your son's right to grow his hair.
--Val
P.S.--Regarding Locks of Love, however, you might want to do a bit of research into this so-called charitable organization. In a nutshell, most of the hair they receive is either discarded or sold for profit. Again, there are other members of this board who know a great deal more about this than do I. I'm sure they'll chime in.
Yes, I second that motion.
"Locks of Love has received criticism for its practice of selling donated hair, rather than using it in wigs as the donors expect. According to a 2003 report by the [[BBB Wise Giving Alliance|Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance]], in 2002 alone Locks of Love had raised over $150,000 by selling donated hair and had received another $213,000 in charitable contributions and grants, but provided only 113 human-hair and 39 synthetic wigs. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}"
This text was removed from Wikipedia some time ago, probably by Locks of Love in an attempt to save face.
If you really want to donate hair to a charitable organisation, I recommend you find a more reliable one with less controversy surrounding it. I'm sure there are many.
Good luck with tackling this issue. Hopefully this is concerning a public school in which case they should have no rights to dictate this to your son.
Bill
- - what i understand from getting a packet from LOL in the mail, about 2% of wigs go to males. the rest go to females because it is 'more socially acceptable for a boy to be bald, and so they don't suffer from peer ridicule to the same extent a female would.'
school cannot have any ruling on your child's hair. both of my boys, 8 & 15, have
long hair. they love it and so do we. we are a longhair family.
Long haired family? That sounds awesome. That's what my dream is someday :)
We all have long hair too. My wife and I have both a son and a daughter.
As a parent you should stand for your kid... He is so young, but i think that maybe you could ask him what he thinks about it? I don't know, but this is really a stupid situation, and I totally agree with you that it is sexist... it's the world we live in.
I only have to congratulate you for the sweet child of yours and for his huge heart for wanting to donate his hair to locks of love. I have my own opinions about that, but the fact that your son wants to help another child is a very special thing... congratulations ^^
I wish you the best luck on this matter and so to your son. Someday our society has to evolve somehow right?
Wow, that's terrible. I propose you go up to the school or board and talk to an adminastrater, and just go off on them. It sounds kind of dumb and immature, but it works. You make them listen and don't let them say no. He's even doing it for a good cause! And plus HE'S ONLY 6 YEARS OLD! Those bastards have no right to tell your son to cut his hair. What stiffs. Just don't let them say no. At all.
I hope I don't sound like an idiot, but it's worked before =D.
I'm 15 years old and I have almost waist length hair, and they allow me to do so. He's 6 years old, and doesn't have my length. What exacly does his hair make him? He's a child with long hair. Let him have it for gods sake. I hate schools...He's even doing it for charity! And they won't let him do it for even that?! What kind of school is that?!?!
Just don't let them say no.
Best wishes,
Josh PS: Again I hope I don't sound like an idiot.
Lose not thy cool, or the school authorities will win.
Rather, do not take your son out of school, but visit the principal and ask him to explain his policy. Then ask him to explain if the policy came from higher up. Keep asking questions.
Confess to your believe that America is the home of the free and the land of the brave.
Keep asking questions.
Have your questions typied and printed out, so that you only have to pay attention to responses.
Put your questions in writing.
Be friendly and smily on first conversation with the principal., but be ready to communicate with the school board if you do not get an appropriate response.
Ask if he would have approved if the Soviet Untion had requied this policy.
Just keep asking questsions?
You will soon discover that these idots do not know whny they have latched onto this prejudice, and that they are incapabvle of defending it.
Of course the ultimate question is whether they have evidence that young men with long hair have interfered with the educational process.
Just, DO NOT LOSE YOUR COOL, FOR IF YOU DO THE OPRESSORS HAVE WON. GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOSE THEIR COOL.
Caledoniahn
Good for you!! Stand fast with your son! You're teaching him an invaluable lesson. He'll learn to stand up for what's right! This is an indefensible policy. They don't have a leg to stand on. Go get 'em, Mama!
BTW, the magic phrase is, "Explain it to my attorney." I don't even have one, but this has worked wonders for me! It even got my car fixed for FREE by a dealer that had told me nothing could be done.
Also, just exactly what "other measures" are they talking about??? Are they gonna expell A 6 YEAR OLD???? FOR HAIR????
I can't wait to hear how this turns out!! You gotta keep us posted!
Good Luck!! Hang tough!!
Do they have a hair length policy for girls at the school? If girls are allowed to have long hair but boys aren't, it's sex discrimination. I'm not sure how well that would stand up in court though. Your other option would be go go for the publicity angle. It's the sort of story the media loves.