Shouldn’t schools be less stereotypical regarding hair length of students?

Should schools have a hair policy?
Absolutely not. Hair policies have always had controversies in countries that are not homogeneous. The reasoning for this is due to the fact that there are many different types of hair, and asking everyone to adhere to the same policies will inevitably be discriminatory. Individuals with curlier hair have always been more impacted, individuals with type 3 or 4 hair (who are usually of darker skin) end up being harassed, bullied and bothered more often. These people are the ones that are essentially given two options, face punishment (detention, suspention, etc.) that detracts from their ability to learn for “choosing to not adhere to rules” or cause lasting physical and mental damage.

Imagine being told that your natural hair is distracting or your hair is too messy, Imagine being told that you should do damaging processes to your hair on a constant basis to “fit in”. Would you not grow hair to resent your appearance? Is it fair to ask everyone to conform to standards, where it’s healthy for them or not? Are you not inadvertently giving children the mindset that certain types of hair are bad, ugly, undesirable, unwanted? Are you not teaching those children that it’s okay to treat people differently because they don’t look like you? Never mind the fact that there are plently of hairstyles that have religious, historical or cultural significance to different groups of people.

Why do schools ban certain hairstyles?
In Singapore someone faced the same issue and when questioned the very same thing, a counter question cropped up, how is my hairstyle going to affect my studies?

The only reason I can fathom is that it just reflected the old-fashioned educational culture that teachers have the authoritative power over the students and as students, you have to obey to those authority figure, no questions asked. They set the rules, and you as the student just shut up and follow them. If you question them, you are showing disrespect and will be disciplined and/or punished. It’s no wonder why every child hated going to school back then. It felt like they was in a prison, following teachers’ orders and behave ‘well enough’ to avoid trouble.

Should hair length be part of a school’s dress code?
The answer is a big NO. School already defines so much of our lives. It dictates our routines. It tells us what to wear. It prevents us from engaging in hobbies and sports (and though teachers encourage us to do such things, we also only have 24 hours in the day, as well as a lot of homework). Additionally, I am not a sheep. If I am going to wear the same colour shirts and jumpers and skirts and socks and shoes and ties, then I shall not easily relinquish the right to my kind of hair style within the prescribed limits of the school.

Is it wrong for schools to not allow boys to have long hair?
Yes. It is pretty wrong to judge someone by who they want to be, especially when it’s something as simple as hair style. I think in general, not only for hair, schools should be less stereotypical.

Can a school force students to cut their hair?
They, private or public school, have certain guidelines about such things i.e. boy’s hair must not touch their ears, eyebrows or shirt collar. Girls’ hair is a little bit touchier i.e. colours must be natural (found in nature), no highlights, lowlights etc. (Yes, the colour policy applies to males too). Hair, again, must be worn naturally, no braids (cornrows), weaves or other extensions. All of the above is considered a distraction to learning. Once I asked a student what they would do to you if you weren’t in compliance. They would put them on in-school suspension, where they had to sit in the principal’s office or a study hall all day. This shocked me, if the hair was too short they weren’t allowed to return to class until it physically measured at the minimum length. For boys, it isn’t uncommon for the P.E. teacher to take a clipper to them. They do receive a 24 hour notice to comply.

Should hairstyles not be allowed in schools?
Hairstyles should be allowed, as long as they are in accordance to school regulation. You’re already making students wear uniforms, making it so they don’t have the right to choose how to style their hair is limiting their creative growth, but making the stigma of school being more like prison even bigger than it already is.

What is to be done if one is forced to get a haircut at school?
Tell your parents about it, tell them to talk to your school authorities and stand firm on your decision. Jot down your points. If you don’t take a stand for yourself then nobody else will.

What should l do my school cuts student’s hair without their consent, is it even legal?
Absolutely IILEGAL. Firstly it violates the fundamental right of freedom of expression as defined by the Indian Constitution. Secondly POSCO act of the IPC which classifies this as sexual harrasment.

Thirdly Article 29 of the IPC (cruelty by custodian) and also you need permission from the child if you are not the guardian of the minor. Also the school rules are not above the laws set in the constitution and the Constitution does not require minors to adhere to the dress codes set by their institutions. So if the student does not want to, they may not have their hair cut by the school authorities. If you don’t believe me the same case happened with a student in Mumbai and the school was held guilty.

Can a school force students to cut their hair?
Anything related to your body is all ours and no one has rights over it until you give them the permission every single time. It’s your wish if you want a haircut. People can make you understand the negatives of having long hair and also may pressurise you but they cannot do anything with your body without your personal consent.

Is the use of word ‘Breach’ justifiable in remarks section of a school calendar?
Usually in school calendar’s teacher’s remarks section ‘Breach of Dress Code’ column is incorporated. Is the word ‘breach’ justified as it is connected with crime too.

Are students involved in criminal activities? Students being in their formative years, is it alright to use such a word which denotes crime or criminal activities? Shouldn’t school use a word less harsh so that the student’s psyche is not impacted?