Home » Children, Schools, Speaking Out

Education or Hairstyle?

25 August 2007 5 Comments

There is a battle over hair that is keeping two Lowcountry teens out of school.  You’ve probably heard about this story by now, because it is getting national attention.  But just in case you haven’t, here’s the gist:

The two teens recently had five-pointed stars and words like “Jack Town” shaved into their hair.  Their school suspended them, saying that they are prohibited from wearing their hair in that style because those markings are gang indicators.  Their father says he didn’t give his children permission to cut their hair that way, but says they have a right to wear their hair any way they want.

The school district says the students are welcome to return…as soon as they remove the “offending” symbols.  Their father says that isn’t going to happen.

Meanwhile, the teens are prohibited from attending school.  At least one of them says he wants to get back to school.

But the hairstyle, apparently, seems more of a priority than getting the education.

At the risk of being called a “conformist,” I’ll have to point out that while we live in a country that values individual freedom, we also live in a country in which some freedoms are curtailed universally in the interest of safety.

For example, when I drive back home, there are portions of I-26 in which the speed limit is 70 miles per hour.  I can drive 70 miles per hour.  There might be days when I think I should be able to push it up to 80.  Or 90.  But the law says I can go 70.  I have a spotless driving record.  The guy who’s behind me, already tailgating too closely, could have a spotted driving history, and even be paying the outrageous rates of SR-22 insurance after a DUI arrest.  He gets to go 70 as well.

On one hand, it seems unfair:  I’m the good driver, so I should be able to drive any way I please.  This lunatic behind me should be restricted to driving a golf cart that never moves faster than about 20 miles an hour.  But we both get the same set of rules, and the rule is there to keep as many people safe as possible.

The school district involved in this hair-raising battle should have every right to set dress codes that do not encourage any kind of gang activity.  Whether these two kids have ever even considered joining a gang — they say they are not involved in gangs in any way — doesn’t matter.  The rules are the same for everyone.  And if that happens to interfere with the fashion statement two students who aren’t gang members want to make while it prevents people who are in gangs from using the same symbols to make a very different statement, I think the school is reasonable for making the policy.

There’s such a thing as picking one’s battles.

What’s more important?  An education, or a hairstyle?

I think we all know the answer.

5 Comments »

  • De said:

    Is this a “duh?” question? Education stands hand down the winner here. “Conform” to the rules set by the school, get your child a good education so he can succeed in life. The school isn’t being unreasonable or communist, it is simply promoting a standard that protects your children. And isn’t that really the most important issue here? De ;)

    # 26 August 2007 at 1:37 am
  • deslily said:

    For as long as I can remember (eons).. schools have had the right to inforce a dress code. This INCLUDED “haircuts”. Long ago (when the galaxy was young) boys could not wear long hair to school and would be sent home until they had a “reasonable” hair cut.

    Though I tend to agree “what you wear or how you look” doesn’t infringe on your ability to learn, I do think schools have the right to set guidelines. As clothes and such things as those “haircuts” take others attentions away from learning.

    Also in the news is that they are now trying to pass a LAW against the “baggy pants” worn by kids. I can’t see it becoming a LAW but I’m not against it! To me it’s a “style” that has gone amuck. Baggy was one thing (underwear waistbands showing).. showing your total underwear is another.

    Though I think kids should be allowed to express theirself, like many things I think it’s gone to extremes…

    # 26 August 2007 at 9:33 am
  • Rick said:

    Then again, Patrick, it might depend on the education they’re getting. Posted this to my blog this morning – woot woot.

    # 26 August 2007 at 10:08 am
  • Cat. said:

    To take your final question first: education, of course. ;-) I’d be interested in knowing if the local police think these hair designs are gang-related. If not, then I’d say the school district needs to back down. If so, then everyone needs to take a breath–whether or not the guys meant them, having them ‘on’ is potentially endangering their lives. If that doesn’t scare dad, then he’s clearly a mental case.

    You could not pay me enough to deal with parents all day…oh, excuse me, work in the schools today. Remember when teaching was about the students, not their parents? (full disclosure: I have a teenage son)

    # 26 August 2007 at 11:40 am
  • Robin said:

    The father is absolutely right. The boys do have a right to wear their hair any way they please…..OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL HOURS!!! As a parent of two boys I’m often amazed at the attitude of parents these days. What happened to following rules? Parents seem to want to give kids the run of things with no respect to the educators or anyone else for that matter.. I’m embarrassed and ashamed that it’s folks of my generation that are acting this way. I was raised that rules are made for a reason and they need to be followed.

    Robin in Texas

    # 29 August 2007 at 4:00 pm

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