Four year old Texas boy suspended due to long hair

[Pimppeter2]

Plus, we're talkin elementary school people. Its not like he's not going to be able to go to college because of this.

It's still a pretty weird rule to enforce. Well, when his hair isn't even that long. Still, rules are rules I suppose

Exactly, I'm sick of people calling Texas overly conservative because of this.

Its a freaking school rule. They're there for a reason.

There is no reason for this, though. I still think you've been hacked.

But there is a reason for it! Its called a dress code! The same reason I can't go to class in a leopard skin thong!

And why does everyone say that? What am I doing thats so out of the ordinary?

 

[Jaranja]

The video no worky. SO for all I know you could be making it up.

Source needed

I thoght the U.S were "the land of the free", or something like that. Doesn't this undermine that statement just a tad

If its against school rules, then its against school rules.

EDIT: [HEADING=2]When you joined the Escapist, you agreed to the terms and conditions to fallow the rules. If a mod bans you for calling him a 'fucking douchebag'. You can't go ahead and pull the Freedom of Speech Card. You agreed to fallow the rules, or be banned.[/HEADING]

yyyyyyup. Rules is rules.

That doesn't, however, mean we can't ***** about it!

These rules are shit!

 

[That's Funny]

Even though it is slightly unfair on the kid, I'd have to side with the school, rules are rules.

[sub/] Even if they are stupid ones at that. [/sub]

 

[Dexiro]

There is sexism and then there is practicality.

There is NO POINT trying to dumbly apply the exact same rules for males and females as if they are the same when they are not.

Wait what?

If boys have to keep their hair short because it can be "distracting", then it should be just as distracting for females.

 

[NIHILHATE]

That's sick, man. When I started school I had DREADS for fuck's sake, they never made me cut 'em off.

 

[-AC80-]

if boys can't have long hair why can girls? is it because it is the norm? NO STFU schools if they can why can't I (in this area ONLY, no metaphors) sexist f**king schools

 

[Dragon Zero]

I thoght the U.S were "the land of the free", or something like that. Doesn't this undermine that statement just a tad

Texas was one of the Confederate states who wanted to leave the United States... I'm just saying. If they had their way they wouldn't even be part of the USA.

Okay, I get the point you were trying to make and I'm honestly trying to let go of this topic (and all of the reflexive bashing of my home) but as a Texan and a Civil War history nerd, I really need to tell you that, while it is true that Texas did ultimately secede from the Union, and on Lincoln's inauguration day no less, it was not simply all of Texas that wanted out. In fact Texas supplied quite a few resources to both sides of the conflict whether from the government or that of individuals or groups. And really the majority of Texas nowadays likes being a part of America (well, except for that dumbass Perry, I really wish Hutchinson won the primary) and we know that its better to be a part of it than not.

Sorry, I don't even know why I said that, I'll admit it was a low blow. I mean Texas was hardly the biggest player in the CSA, it just seemed to go with the flow.

I mean of all the southern states, Texas seems to be the one with the least neo-confederacy and I've never heard any of that "Lost Cause" bullshit from a Texan (though I haven't known all that many). Far more likely to find a Texan flag flying than a confederate flag.

I actually admire Texas a lot for it's uncompromising libertarianism and as a centre of technological innovation and entrepreneurship (now I'm just kissing ass).

Ok, thank you for clarifying (and not just because I was going to kill you and wear your face) and like I said, you were trying to bring up a point. Oh, and there actually are a number of Sikhs that live here, at least where I live, quite a few of them are nice folks too.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Oh pish posh, school dress codes never get enforced nowadays (at least as early as middle school, my elementary school didn't care either). I see a group of guys with their pants literally down to their knees and nobody says a word.

Pull up yah damn pants ya' lil' bastards!

*mumblemumbledarnwippersnappersmumblemumble*

School rules or not, you have to admit they are really overreacting. I mean, seriously, threatening expulsion for not cutting your hair? That's like not getting hired because your hair is too short. (I'm aware that this is a while ago, just sayin')

And as for the "it's distracting" argument; they're 4 god damn years old! If they're not running around screaming, their either crying, sleeping for 3 minutes, or eating glue (har har, stereotypes).

I did agree that it was petty for the school, but don't you agree that its even more petty by the parents? I mean, they're going to do this to their son for virtually no reason at all. Just shave the little bastards head, he might cry, but he'll forget about it. There's no reason to make a 4 year-old go to court and shit for something so inanely stupid.

I mean, the school told the parents more than a hand full of times. It seems like they're just fighting the system for the sake of fighting the system. If you don't like the rules, take him to a private school, or just shave the rascal.

 

[The Wooster]

A responsible parent would get the kid's hair cut immediately and get him back in school.

On the other hand a responsible citizen would fight against blindly enforced absurdity lest we all end up having to wear orange ties on Thursdays because Thursday is an orange tie day it says so in the fucking rules. *Baton*

 

[Firia]

I have to admit, having to cut the kids hair does suck.
But a rule is a rule, and if that rule were made clear to the parents when they enrolled their child, then it's their fault. They should cut the boys hair.

A rule is a rule. But what is the purpose of a rule, if only to be a rule? Does it hurt anyone that this childs hair is longer than the social norm? Or is this rule in effect because principle (or higher) believes a boy/man should have short hair?

Ask yourself why rules and laws exist. Look for the reasons. Then ask if they're so nessessary as to need to be obeyed. In this case, I would say no. A rule is a rule only because someone says so, and has the authority to make it so. But the rule is unjust, and utilizes its authority on this family unfairly.

Unfairly? Really? I've had long hair for years, and I've been refused job positions because of them. I completely understood why. Because those are the rules of the place I applied at.
Do I think it's a stupid rule? Absolutely. But whatever the reason may be, the rule is there.
I'm assuming the parents more than likely knew the rule of their child's school before or upon enrollment. It's kinda like when Willy Wonka told the fat kid "Please don't eat the chocolate from the chocolate river." The little fatty german kid didn't listen and he got his big ass pumped up into the big tube.
It's a rule. Plain and simple. If the parents didn't like said rule, they shouldn't have let their kid go to that school.

What you're thinking about here is professionalism. In the business world, you convey an image, and a lot is said about this image. This is based on the social happenings of the past 30 to 40 years, really starting in the 1960's. Some places have rules of professionalism in place because of the image it projects. Long hair in the professional environment goes against that image.

The difference here is that this is a child, in school. He's like, six or something. He's not applying to a job, he's not required to abide by a social code that's been in place since the 1920's for men. what's more, he shouldn't be forced to.

This is what I'm talking about, when I say you should think about a rule before blindly following it. Rules are the social construction of people, and people are flawed. Work place professionalism? Short hair yes, because of what the social order has to say about professionalism. Elementry school short hair, because it's in the schools dress code? HOGWASH.

 

[lullabykid]

This is somewhat like how in my high school people weren't allowed to have hats or hoods on in school. I know that's probably the rule everywhere, but my geography teacher and I noted that the only people who usually wore hats to school were usually lower class and wearing John Deir hats, which is actually somewhat of a cultural statement in the country. My teacher saw it as 'middle class social rules being forced upon and repressing lower class social values.' Don't know how much truth there is to that, but it's definitely food for thought.

Schools, frankly, need to lighten the fuck up. You wonder why so many kids feel alienated in high school? Besides the risk of other students confronting them, they feel the school is working against them too, especially when you went to a high school like mine, where rules were pretty much designed to ensure they could tear you down at any moment they pleased. Many teachers get too much of a power trip out of controlling students, and I think that needs to be severely checked.

Exactly.

I live in Texas and my school followed these exact same guidelines through high school. The boys also had to tuck in their shirts at all times and we could never have any facial hair. People these rules are here for a very simple reason. To find a way to control without any logical reason. They pummel you with so many ridiculous rules, that you either listen to them or spend 3/4 of your day in a office. West Texas is sadly a very close minded place.

 

[chromewarriorXIII]

On a side note, what is a four-year old doing in school?

Really? I was in school at 3 years old. 2 years of pre-school, than kindergarten, than started elementary. At that age, it's usually not a full 6 hours but instead divided into a morning class and an after noon class. Some kids go before lunch, some come in after.

OT: While I agree that it's a stupid rule, if it's a rule, than they don't have much choice but to abide by it. Although, I have hair twice as long as that and it's never been called a distraction. I think the whole "distraction" excuse is a bullshit attempt to enforce the rule. Either tell the parents that their kids hair is in violation of the dress code or don't do anything about it. It's stupid to try and play it off how they did.

 

[Flames66]

I thoght the U.S were "the land of the free", or something like that. Doesn't this undermine that statement just a tad

This seems to have ninjad the entire argument. School is supposed to teach children how to cope with society. Out in the world there will be all sorts of distractions. You fail at your purpose.

But... some jobs you may get fired or not hired for having long hair?

Is that what you were trying to say?

I wouldn't apply for them in the first place.

 

[Zacharine]

On a side note, what is a four-year old doing in school?

At that age, it's usually not a full 6 hours but instead divided into a morning class and an after noon class. Some kids go before lunch, some come in after.

As I said later, 'how can you expect a 4-year old to do it for even half that?'
But you know, this isn't the discussion the OP was about, so I'll just drop it. What works for some moght not work for others.

As far as a place to make friends, be children and have fun it might be great. I simply think that guided and directed education should need not begin that young and that I doubt the real educational benefits of it.

But I am no child psychologist nor an expert in the mechanics of learning.

 

[One of Many]

I must protect my fellow long haired people!
Long haired people UNITE!

Captain Guy-With-Hair-So-Long-I-Can-Sit-On-It, reporting for duty!

And to "Tater Tot", the kid in question, I say ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWAH, little man.

Sergeant Curly-Shoulder-Length-Ponytail-and-Fluffy-Curly-Muttonchops, reporting in! *salutes*

 

[Radelaide]

That'll learn 'im. Why the hell is there a rule against hair lengths?

At my highschool (public) our junior uniform was a white shirt with black pants. The P&C banned junior girls from wearing coloured bras because apparently they were distracting to the male teachers. I remember one parent demanded fiscal compensation for buying new bras for her daughter so she didn't have to wear the same bra 5 days a week. As far as I know the whole farce is still going on.

I agree with the parents, I don't see how his hair could be a distraction for him or the other kids. As far as school rules go, it's a little backwards, but schooling in America is different to schooling here in Australia.

Edit:

I thoght the U.S were "the land of the free", or something like that. Doesn't this undermine that statement just a tad

This seems to have ninjad the entire argument. School is supposed to teach children how to cope with society. Out in the world there will be all sorts of distractions. You fail at your purpose.

But... some jobs you may get fired or not hired for having long hair?

Is that what you were trying to say?

I wouldn't apply for them in the first place.

Then you're probably doomed to a life in a call centre because doing anything in retail is all about appearances to get customers back. I don't understand why some guys love having long hair since a lot of guy's hair is courser than female hair. I mean, unless your my friend Itch and have the hair of a Norse God...

 

[Cid Silverwing]

If its against school rules, then its against school rules.

Bad rules must never ever be enforced. Show some morality.

 

[lacktheknack]

On a side note, what is a four-year old doing in school? Maybe this is a personal bias telling, but I didn't go to school until I was seven, and concentrating on the class 6-8h a day was hard enough. How can you expect a four year old to do it for even half that?

I found it effortless. It's just you.

 

[lacktheknack]

If its against school rules, then its against school rules.

Bad rules must never ever be enforced. Show some morality.

My morality states: "Follow the flipping rules, don't protest them if they only mildly inconvenience you".

If you do, then you're basically saying "I follow the rules I want", thus missing the point of rules.