I could use some advice from some of you wiser people

Well I'm 17 and I'm currently in High school, the problem is my school is very strict about dress code, and the problem comes when they tell me I HAVE to cut my hair. I don't really like when people tell me I have to change myself for no logical reason. There's no reason for my hair to need to be short, I love my hair I was it everyday (it's always clean), my hair really is all I have that represents my own individuality. Girls can have whatever length hair they want, but for some reason because I have a penis if my hair covers my ears it will somehow distract everyone from learning?

So question A: What do you guys think about this do you think I should stand up and try to fight the conformity or just lay down and take it?

Secondly, what plan of action would be effective means of protest? I was thinking a petition would be a good start, it would be fairly easy to get a ton of signatures from fellow students and even some teachers, but I'm worried that after all of that they would just throw it away with out a second thought. A more extreme way would be to try to get many more people to boycott getting haircuts, but that would be alot more difficult. Or my final option would be to go get my head shaved COMPLETELY bald and put all of my hair into a zip lock bag and hand it to the principal as a political statement, just to get people's attention and get them thinking "hey maybe this rule isn't right."

I very much appreciate the advice, I know it's not the usual topic discussed here, but it's something that's important to me.

 

Try getting a note from your minister that you wish to grow your hair long for religious reasons.

I can't believe these same old battles are happening all over again. What's with the world, don't we learn through experience?

 

Yes sadly Gardner is correct here, if your in there "institution" then you have to go by thier rules unless you can prove its for medical or religion to create a variance.


You could leave your hair long and go to another school I guess. Could cut it and braid signs in it to make a statement? Build a web site discussing these issues. If your close to 18 begin contacting elected officials with loads of signatures and let them know you all will be voting in the next election.

 

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Just resist, they can't kick you out for your hair.. I don't think. Compromise and wear it in a ponytail or something.

 

I undrestand you. In my polish school some teachers really don't like me becouse of my long hair. Biology teacher say me to cut my hair becouse they are too long and she don'd see my eyes sometimes. I don't care about it! I have 2 awsome teachers. probably they were hippies in 80s. they don't tell this but I think yes. Polish and English teachers

 

It's a public school and school choices are limited I really couldn't switch schools even if I wanted to. And also although I do believe that there is a god I don't belong to a church so that kind of rules that out as well. I really appreciate everyone's input and opinions please keep them coming. I'm still not sure what I'll do, I'll try to hold out as long as possible that's for sure.

 

fuck that! I say resistance.
the length of your hair should not be in the dress code.

mrdude, where do you live and what high school? i feel like protesting..

start a petition about how the length of your hair should not be in the dress code and get people to sign it. it works.

 

They cant do that. Your hair is part of your body. It disgusts me there are still places around that believe these kinds of controls and intrusions are acceptable

Kick up AS MUCH FUSS as possible and DO NOT cut that hair. It is yours. God given, or whatever else given. YOURS. Part of yourSELF. Some people way abuse "authority"

 

I love your idea of shaving your head and giving your hair to the principal. It's brilliant. Nonetheless, I don't think you should have to cut your hair.

If you go to a private school, then you probably don't have much of a choice about dress code and hair issues. If you go to a public school, you could tell them that your long hair is a political statement and that they can't limit your freedom of expression by making you cut your hair. There have been Supreme Court cases about free speech in public schools... One of them, Tinker v. Des Moines, said that symbolic speech is protected by the First Amendment. So if you go to a public school and you can convince them that your long hair is a form of symbolic speech, then you should be fine.

And if that doesn't work, there's always the ACLU...

 

I just thought that I would add my two cents:

If I were you, I would NOT give into this at all. I would absolutely refuse to get a haircut. This is more than being an issue about hair, it is an issue about respect for yourself. It sounds as though your school is ran by power-hungry people. I do not see the harm in keeping what was given to you by nature. The way I see it, if hair was not meant to grow, it wouldn't. They have no right telling you to cut off a part of your body and your ideals. As you have said, how would one's hair length affect anyone in that school? Is anyone going to be that traumatized from seeing hair? Honestly, it is just ridiculous. As far as what to do about this, I would suggest talking to the principal and explaining that your long hair reflects your beliefs and is an important part of who you are. If the principal cannot understand this for whatever reason, I would then start protesting and getting a signed petition. Knowing that you have stood up for yourself is well-worth the struggle.

I admire you for growing your hair. I think that long hair is beautiful on everyone, male and female.

 

that mandated guys wear ties, when I questioned why
gals didn't also wear ties I was told that they do not have to because they wear dresses.
I asked them if I could wear a dress and skip the tie...they fired me on the spot!

 

sue the school for violation of ur 1st amendment rights, saying that you're not being allowed to express your self. Or...find a new school

 

If girls can have long hair but boys can't, that would clearly be sexual discrimination. I am not a lawyer but I'm pretty sure that it would be illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender, since it is a public school. Call the ACLU, they could advise you on your rights, and maybe even sue the school for you, if necessary.

 

This is a stupid way but it's really radical... You always could cut your hair but then make it like a punk and colour it green!....

Well thats just one... But teachers can't kick you out of the school because your hair, if they kick you will make a big noise right?

 

Dude. I had the same problem in school. Luckily I graduated early. A couple friends and I did do a petition, and it worked. We got 3,412 signatures. We had to present the petition in front of the school board. One piece of advice if you present anything before a school board, is be professional. Look, speak, and act professional.

 

I'd imagine this situation has resolved itself in one way or another by now, but I will give my opinion on the proper way to handle situations like this. First, I would like to say that there is a reason for mandating haircuts. It is to instill a sense of unity, one that prevent dissent and limit the chance of the subversion of authority's legitamitcy.

Here is the proper course of action. Don't cut your hair, continue to go to class, and stay out of trouble in every way. It helps if your grades are good. If they tell you to cut your hair don't do it. If they kick you out of class continue to go to class. If they kick you out of school continue to go to school. If they think long hair is a distraction they will quickly see forcing someone to get it cut is a real distraction. It may not get them to change their policy but it will point out the rediculousness of the whole thing. A student denyed education because of the length of his hair. It is important to remember that petitions and tradtional protests are indirect methods. They are accepted by the institution. To subvert the institution you mujst take direct action. Action that is not accepted by authority.