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My son will be four next month. My wife has trimmed the back of his hair a little bit from time to time and a few other spots have needed attention due to excessive tangling. Other than that, itÂ’s pretty much untouched.
On quite a regular basis I ask him if he wants it cut and he always says he doesnÂ’t. IÂ’ve continued to emphasize to him that he can have his hair any way he wants it. HeÂ’s remarked on a couple occasions that he wants his as long as mine so weÂ’ll just have to see. He usually wears it loose but heÂ’s also had full ponytails, half ponytails and braids.
He wonÂ’t start kindergarten until 2017. Things might be harder for him when he starts actual school. It could test his resolve to keep it long but that will be choice he will have to make. The present daycare environment doesnÂ’t contain any pressure against having long hair from other kids. In fact, there are a couple boys that have hair longer than his.
HeÂ’s quite proud of his hair and gets compliments all the time. Of course, I sometimes have to correct strangers who mistake him for a girl. HeÂ’s into all things that boys typically are and his clothing consists of colors typically worn by males so that helps cut down on the mistakes somewhat.
I'm just glad that as a father, and with my wife's full approval, I can offer him complete hair freedom. It was something I was denied.
Very cool. Glad he is enjoying being him.
Cute kid! Its always nice when a son wants to follow in his
dad's footsteps.
Hi Jason,
It will be very interesting how your son will feel once he starts "actual school" like you mentioned.I feel a lot will depend on how he is treated buy the other kids whether positive or negative.Positive will be easy but negative could be very hard on him.At that juncture it will depend on how much of a maverick he is.Regardless its commendable that you are giving your son complete freedom with this issue.He's a great looking kid that sports longhair very well.Do keep us posted.Cheers....
Mârk
Nice pics.
Boys in the middle and higher classes in the 1900's often had long hair. Here is a rudely yawning boy in a sailor suit:
This is little Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1884, 2 1/2 years old.
Nice to see your boy continuing the tradition.
Anthony
I am so happy for you and for your son!
That´s awesome that both of you enjoy complete hair freedom!
Jason,
If memory serves, how's your oldest son's hair :o ???
I only have one child. You may be thinking of another member here, Validus.
Sorry Jason... I was thinking of the long-time member who was living on an indian reservation a few years back (as I teacher at a college, if I remember right)... also, at least one of his sons was Legolas from Lord of the Rings one halloween. Sorry to have mixed you two up >o< !~
Four years !! Goo Grief...seems like just yesterday that you and I were starting our journeys. Sigh
You are both looking great ! Thanks for Sharing.
Walter
Hi Jason,
Wow, I will reflect what Walter said, and has it really been almost 4 years since the little guy was born. It seems that it was only yesterday that I attended yours and Amanda's wedding.
Cheers to him on his own hair growing journey, and how cool that he takes after his Dad in his desire to have long hair. Hopefully, things will continue to go smoothly, and that people will be understanding, as they should be.
That's a great photo of the two of you, and thank you for sharing.
Take care,
David
My son also has long hair. As a small child he always had long hair, after all both me and my wife have long hair, although my wife always insisted that he had a fringe (What Americans call bangs for whatever odd reason? AFAIK they are silent!).
He went short and spiky at age 8, probably due to social pressure in school, but grew it again at age 12. Now he is 22 and has long hair without a fringe, and almost always wears it in a ponytail. He is clean shaven, whereas his dad is bearded.
At 18 he came out as gay, although none of his boyfriends have had long hair, or even the one girl he dated before that.
We also have an 18 yo daughter. She has shoulder length hair. She decided to have it cut to that length when quite small, instantly regretted her decision and regrew it, then had it cut back to that length a few years later.
Thanks everyone for your remarks and compliments. Being a parent is an interesting and rewarding endeavor. I definitely feel that allowing my son to explore his own individuality is something that will help him in more ways than even just his hair.
Hey Jason, That's a wonderful story. I'm always glad to hear about parents who do not try to control how their children look. I think a lot of us grew up with very strict rules on what was considered acceptable appearance. Your son is adorable.
Kudos to you and your wife, Jason!
--Val
I can completely relate to the above statement, Jason, as you know I was also denied any right to choose my own hair length and style when I was a kid. It is so wonderful to see parents allowing their male child to choose as they wish. My brother and sister-in-law that live nearby also did the same with my nephew (the one who had long dreadlocks for 6 years) -- his choice to grow it as long as he wished, and his choice to cut it when he decided to do so.
Thanks so much for this great update, for sharing the inspiring pics, and for your beautifully articulated thoughts on this important topic. Children have rights. We as adults need to have this fact crystal-clear in our minds and in our conscience, in order for society to progress forward in the best possible manner into the future.
Thanks again!!
-Ken
Thanks, Ken, and I really appreciate your further thoughts on the matter as well. I'm impressed by the fact that he's not the only longhaired boy at daycare. I do feel the tide is turning and it's certainly a welcome change to society.