Remember Taylor Pugh? According to his Texas school district, his hair is too long; therefore, the four-year-old (yes, 4-year-old) receives instruction separately from his classmates.
Taylor’s parents asked the school board for a dress code exemption, but their request was denied. The Superintendent, however, mentioned a braid as a possibility, so Taylor’s mom braided his hair, crossed her fingers and sent him to class today. According to his mom, Taylor “looks a little like Princess Leia” with two braids coiled on his head.
What do you think? Are braids a viable solution? Do you think the school district was right to keep Taylor out of the classroom? Do you think his parents are right to challenge the school?
11 Responses
My first thought on the subject is that is plain and simple discrimination! They clearly don’t keep girls from having long hair. Imagine if the school told you your daughter’s hair had to be cut? If it is in his eyes and causing problems for him, I would say any way to hold it back would be fine, pony tail, head band etc. If it was my son, I would be making a much bigger stink than this little boys parents have been. How’s the waste of tax payers money with the one-on-one aide to teach him all day. Ridiculous!
The parents, and everyone else, should be outraged! I believe that this will eventually be a lawsuit that the school wished it never got involved in. Really, this is what taxpayer money is being spent on? It surprises me that the people of Texas are putting up with this.
I find it incredible that this is a hill the school is willing to die on. Aren’t there more important issues within the TX education system that they could be investing their time (and possibly dollars, defending their stupid decision) in?
I don’t have a problem with dress codes or basic hygeine issues per se. But there are ways to have perfectly neat, tidy long hair. As for the boy thing, wasn’t it quite common for men to have long hair in previous centuries? Who decided that short hair was more “manly” anyway?
I think that if you hand your kids over to the state to educate them, then you have to abide by the school’s rules.
Secondly, I’m all for boys looking like boys. What’s wrong with short back and sides??
Bulaboys,
You make a very good point – why oh why hand over your children to an institution that represses freedom of expression and diversity? And apparently one that reinforces stereotypes such as boys have short hair?? Hmmm, interesting. I personally have no problem with boys/girls wearing their hair any way they feel comfortable.
Hi Jenny: Thanks for the update. Silly rule in a state that gave us the most draconian presidential administration in at least 100 years. Hardly surprising.
I agree with most of the previous comments. The parents should raise a stink.
I think it’s crazy that they think a 4 year old boys hair is too long! What about the girls? Are girls allowed to have long hair? What about short hair? I don’t see why a girl can cut all of her hair off and it’s fine but a boy isn’t allowed to grow his hair out. No fair! For the record, 2 of my 4 boys have longer hair then most boys, however their hair is not past their shoulders or anything like that. Kind of the Zack and Cody haircut if you are familiar with that. 🙂
I have four boys and cable televison — of course I know who Zach and Cody are! 🙂 (Have I mentioned that’s also my LEAST favorite Disney show?) Fact is, longer hair is actually in now for boys. And in or not, hair is just hair.
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoy reading your blog! We’ve given you the “Lemonade Stand Award” and want to express our gratitude for all your insights and great posts! Have a terrific day!
Karen and Michelle
http://layers-of-learning.blogspot.com/
Thanks Karen and Michelle! What a great way to start out my weekend.
I personally think that it is discrimination when boys are told they must cut their hair short and girls are allowed to wear their hair long. I hope the parents sue and win.