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is there anything i can do to convince them that it's not that bad!?
If you are a good kid what more do they need?
My mom likes my hair :p
Convincing your parents to like long hair will be very difficult so consider a different approach. It will be much easier to convince your parents that your long hair is very important to *you*. In other words, if you just try to argue that "long hair is good" it is easy for your parents to argue back with "long hair is bad, get it cut". But if your position is "long hair is very important to me" it would be hard for them to disagree. Your parents don't have to *like* your long hair to let you keep it. They just have to understand that it is very important to you.
Like Gollan said, tell your parents that your hair being long is very important to YOU and would make You very happy. Tell them also that if they make you wear short hair, which you are obviously unhappy with, they will have to live with a very unhappy kid who will be down hearted towards them all the time. What parent would really want that, huh? That's like making you wear a 1970's bright yellow button up shirt even though you stated it clearly that you hate bright yellow button up shirts! Now personally I am a parent myself, and I know that I would rather have my children happy with themselves and how they look, instead of trying to impose my preferences upon them even though they don't like it. That to me is plain wrong and stupid. There are some issues in this life that a parent needs to stand firm on, but how in God's name is hair corrupting to a child, right? None of my three boys have ever shown an interest in growing their hair long and that is perfectly fine with me. I like long hair but that doesn't mean they should. It would be cool to see, but not necessary. Shoot from the heart, man, you'll probably win. Appeal to their emotional side, if you will. Tell them that if they truly love you they will let you be you. Good luck, bro, I'm with ya' in spirit.
Posts like this really sadden me. You've had some great advice from the other follow-ups so I won't repeat them. I do hope that your parents have the patience, tolerance and love to overcome their prejudices. The problem is theirs - not yours.
If they're old enough, your parents may remember a cheesy disco hit from the late 1970's - 'Just Let me Do My Thing' by Sine. And it goes something like this ...
"Just let me do my thing. You don't have to like it - but it's my thing"
Well, just say to them that it is hard enough for you to be [in what ever age you are (teenager, twen, etc..)], and the last thing you need is that sort of unsettlement from your parents...
should work :)
Story from a long time ago that may or may not help, but...
A man I used to work for had two sons, both of whom were the crew-cut kids. They decided they wanted to let their hair grow out, but talked to their parents after they made the decision. After discussion, they came to the following agreement:
They would follow their parents wishes on the things that were really important to their parents: keep their grades up, avoid illegal drugs and alcohol, no fighting joining the family for church on Sunday, etc.
In return, their parents wouldn't complain at all about their clothes or hair as long as they remained neat and clean.
Now, in reality my boss complained a lot ... sitting in my office telling me how much he didn't like it, but he never said a word about it to the kids - both of whom kept their end of the bargain to the letter. Essentially, they hit the perfect compromise - the kids yielded on the things that were important to parents, the parents yielded on something important to the boys.
Incidentally, these kids turned out great. Every parent should be so lucky.
In the end, what is it that you really want? Do you want to grow your hair like you want AND have their support and encouragement? (The best of both worlds)
Then, be honest with them. Tell them what's on your mind. Don't fall into the trap of arguing with them. That's a no-win situation. Think of what it usually takes to convince you of something and proceed along those lines. Parents are just regular people. Talk with them. Your attitude and how you approach the situation is probably what will convince them.
Good luck to you man,
Petros
When I was living on my own (own house, not under their roof)
I just told them my hair was staying long, I didn't want to hear
anything more about it.
When you live on your own, it becomes alot easier to
have your hair the way you want it.
Also having a boss who doesn't complain about your
hair helps too.
Are your parents religious? My friend's parents are bible thumpers and he showed them Leviticus (sp?) 19:27. It says you shouldn't cut your hair or beard.