Boys hair
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Boys hair
Is it usual nowadays for independent schools to insist on short hair for boys? Is this fair?
DS has beautiful (heavy, glossy and straight) shoulder length blond hair. It is not difficult to keep looking nice.
I've heard that during a familiarisation day at his new school, one of DS' friends had a teacher single him out and say "I hope that hair will be cut before September" My DS did not attend this day due to prior commitments but if he had then his friend's hair would have looked short by comparison. I have since heard that the school rule is for hair to be 'on the collar'.
Is this the norm? I thought that these days there was equality in the rules for boys and girls?
I don't want to cut DS's hair!
Am I being a 'Silly Mummy'?
DS has beautiful (heavy, glossy and straight) shoulder length blond hair. It is not difficult to keep looking nice.
I've heard that during a familiarisation day at his new school, one of DS' friends had a teacher single him out and say "I hope that hair will be cut before September" My DS did not attend this day due to prior commitments but if he had then his friend's hair would have looked short by comparison. I have since heard that the school rule is for hair to be 'on the collar'.
Is this the norm? I thought that these days there was equality in the rules for boys and girls?
I don't want to cut DS's hair!
Am I being a 'Silly Mummy'?
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T.i.p.s.y
At prep schools there is a common rule for on the collar and if you don't do it they'll take DS to barbers (this would happen more at boarding school). I did argue with the school that when he went to X school they were all allowed "big" hair. From a prep school point DS doesn't get nits now his hair is short so I do think it is practical.
But given DS is off to senior school, I'm quite surprised. Eton's uniform may be very stuffy but the boys certainly make up for that with their mops of hair. Send him to school with long hair and see what happens. Does DS love his long hair because if he couldn't care less then it may not be worth digging your heals in. On a brighter note, if his hair gets cut you'll be able to see more of his beautiful face!
But given DS is off to senior school, I'm quite surprised. Eton's uniform may be very stuffy but the boys certainly make up for that with their mops of hair. Send him to school with long hair and see what happens. Does DS love his long hair because if he couldn't care less then it may not be worth digging your heals in. On a brighter note, if his hair gets cut you'll be able to see more of his beautiful face!
Hi Tipsy
Yes, DS loves his long hair! He sees it as something that makes him 'him' - it has always been his choice how he wears his hair. Two years ago he wanted it short so I cut it all off (tears streaming down my face but quickly wiped away before he could see!)
What are other peoples experiences at other schools?
Yes, DS loves his long hair! He sees it as something that makes him 'him' - it has always been his choice how he wears his hair. Two years ago he wanted it short so I cut it all off (tears streaming down my face but quickly wiped away before he could see!)
love you Tipsy!On a brighter note, if his hair gets cut you'll be able to see more of his beautiful face!
What are other peoples experiences at other schools?
Hi Freya
My ds goes to a Grammar school and they have a collar length rule too!
He always had long straight blond shoulder length hair but had to have it cut when he started last Sept.
We have a visit to the barbers so it is just on the collar, every half term and he has got away with that - the only time he heard it mentioned was when a mate with longer hair was being told off ,the teacher added " and get your hair cut" to the telling off!
I love longer hair on boys - it suits a lot of them -and shows individualty but must admit at the local comp where anthing goes the uniform does tend to lokk scruffy on boys with long hair.
My ds did also find when his got a bit too long a few older boys started to say he looked like a girl -which he hated!
Have you checked the uniform rules - it may state hair length on that !
Pensby
My ds goes to a Grammar school and they have a collar length rule too!
He always had long straight blond shoulder length hair but had to have it cut when he started last Sept.
We have a visit to the barbers so it is just on the collar, every half term and he has got away with that - the only time he heard it mentioned was when a mate with longer hair was being told off ,the teacher added " and get your hair cut" to the telling off!
I love longer hair on boys - it suits a lot of them -and shows individualty but must admit at the local comp where anthing goes the uniform does tend to lokk scruffy on boys with long hair.
My ds did also find when his got a bit too long a few older boys started to say he looked like a girl -which he hated!
Have you checked the uniform rules - it may state hair length on that !
Pensby
Hi Pensby
Agree about scruffy uniform and longer (unkempt) hair. If DS's hair was just wild and big or straggly then I would encourage him to keep it short but, like your DS, when it falls nicely to the shoulder I think it looks great on a boy!
I think I will follow a mixture of advice and trim the back of it a fair bit to start school. Then if they say anything I'll do as you have done and have it 'just' on the collar every half term. I still don't think it's fair though!
Agree about scruffy uniform and longer (unkempt) hair. If DS's hair was just wild and big or straggly then I would encourage him to keep it short but, like your DS, when it falls nicely to the shoulder I think it looks great on a boy!
I think I will follow a mixture of advice and trim the back of it a fair bit to start school. Then if they say anything I'll do as you have done and have it 'just' on the collar every half term. I still don't think it's fair though!
My DS gets this too but has a mature approach to it. Being a really respected rugby player with the reputation for making the hardest tackles in the County helps! Last time the school had a fun day for children in need or something, he went in dressed as a girl complete with pig-tails and ribbons. His choice, his idea entirely. He enjoyed laughing with everyone and still had his pig-tails in (just about) when I picked him up!My ds did also find when his got a bit too long a few older boys started to say he looked like a girl -which he hated!
Oh my favourite subject...I believe all school children should be allowed individuality with their hair as long as they keep it brushed/combed, clean, tied back if and when necessary.
Many boys will find their hair thinning in their mid-20's, so their choice of hair styles diminishes anyway - how lovely that they can look back at photos in their teens and before and see what wonderful styles they once had.
After all, we've moved on from 'short back and sides' or 'pudding bowl' styles haven't we.
I believe in school uniform, it gives an almost level playing field (in most cases
) but then they do all look the same, their only distinguishing feature to make them into individuals is surely their own choice of hair style which they can change according to their wishes or fads or fashions (or with a bit of cajoling from parents if the situation requires it 
).
As soon as a boy or girl has to wear any form of school uniform I am more than happy to let them have their own choice of hair style - (conforming to health and safety rules in school) and wear it however they like once they are at home.
Off the soap box - and off to try and get a life
Ambridge
Many boys will find their hair thinning in their mid-20's, so their choice of hair styles diminishes anyway - how lovely that they can look back at photos in their teens and before and see what wonderful styles they once had.
After all, we've moved on from 'short back and sides' or 'pudding bowl' styles haven't we.
I believe in school uniform, it gives an almost level playing field (in most cases
) but then they do all look the same, their only distinguishing feature to make them into individuals is surely their own choice of hair style which they can change according to their wishes or fads or fashions (or with a bit of cajoling from parents if the situation requires it ).As soon as a boy or girl has to wear any form of school uniform I am more than happy to let them have their own choice of hair style - (conforming to health and safety rules in school) and wear it however they like once they are at home.
Off the soap box - and off to try and get a life
Ambridge
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T.i.p.s.y
Obviously there are a few exceptions to the rule.oooooh blimey! Is this due to wearing it pulled back in pony tails maybe? Although in that case why doesn't it happen to adult girls? Actually I can't think of any logical biological reason for adult male long hair to cause receding hairline? Where did you get this from?
Agree with Ambridge: make the best of their hair now before they lose it, because as soon as DS starts to lose his as an adult I hope he does the right thing and goes short. Remember that Hamlet cigar ad with the guy in a photo booth sporting an outrageous comb-over?
Agree with Ambridge: make the best of their hair now before they lose it, because as soon as DS starts to lose his as an adult I hope he does the right thing and goes short. Remember that Hamlet cigar ad with the guy in a photo booth sporting an outrageous comb-over?
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T.i.p.s.y
Have a friend who is an enzyme specialist and apparently having longer hair causes increased levels of a certain enzyme (which is naturally present in upper head in lower levels) which causes hair to get thinner. No idea why and it is not the case in all cultures. You can probably get round this by having a mullet hairstyle!
EDIT: Its a male hormone hence us girls generally don't suffer.
EDIT: Its a male hormone hence us girls generally don't suffer.
