Long Hair Hippie Types...

When I was in highschool, 1993-1997, there was a boy that went to my school who had slightly long hair. When I say "slightly long hair", I mean that his hair touched his shoulders. Now, at this same time, my hair touched my waist. I remember this boy going through so much drama because the school insisted that he cut his hair. The school deemed his long locks to be "Distracting" to other students in the school. But, what the school failed to realize is that their constant attention to his hair was what was distracting. The student body in and of itself, couldn't have cared less. His hair was no more distracting than mine. Of course, keep in mind that I live in SUPER conservative Texas. Anyone who lives here can tell you that the ideals the schools carry out are a tad bit on the overly obsessive side. I suppose that to the Old School people in my state, long hair on men is a reminder of those hippie days. Back in the days of Sex, Drugs, and Rock -N-Roll. But, really. How can this really matter? Maybe it's because I'm a member of a slightly younger generation, but I really can't see the harm in a boy child having long hair. I could think of so many worse things my child could be doing. I can't imagine a long haired male would be more distracting than a pregnant fifteen year old, for example.

So, why am I bringing this up? It's really because of this article here. Can someone please tell me why this poor little boy is being denied his right to a fair education, and all because he's got long hair? In my personal opinion, this is a ridiculous waste of time. This boy's hair preference is not going to immediately label him a rebel, nor is it going to hinder him from learning and functioning on a normal basis. And odds are, one day this little boy may not choose to have his hair long. Children are granted very little in self expression, especially now. If you ask me, let the boy have his hair. This whole issue is being blown all out of proportion in a battle of the school board's sad attempt to prove that they are right, the boy is wrong, and he SHALL be punished. Seriously. It saddens me that the school boards can't find more lingering problems to focus their attentions on. Have they checked the school drop out rates recently? How about all of the nonsense about the schools no longer really teaching a curriculum, but rather teaching children how to take the government standardized tests instead. What about the teenage pregnancies, gang violence, rapes, and the improper funding of school's monies. (Don't even get me started on that one, there was a HUGE broo-ha-ha here about how school boards were spending money that was given as grants to the schools for better school items, and they were using the monies to go on vacations to the Carribbean. SERIOUSLY. Yet, these SAME school board officials have approved a huge rate increase for school taxes in the area to help aid in actual school needs. Don't believe me? Google it.)

So, I say, let's focus on what is really important. That child deserves an education, not condemnation for his choices. His hair isn't going to prevent him from learning anymore than mine would. If they really are going to start putting those types of restrictions on children, then I assume female children will all be required to have hair above their shirt collars also? Just a thought.....