>>Since school is compulsary until age 16, and it's a public school (as far as I can tell), I'm with the parents. It doesn't hurt him or anyone else to have long hair. I can understand a policy of requiring hair below the collar to be pulled back or braided, but cutting is ridiculous. Our schools have dress codes, but many young men have long hair. I say, As long as the boy wishes it, Fight, fight, fight! :o) I guess that while he is missing out on the socialization aspect of school life, he is gaining by one-on-one instruction. I'd question whether or not that teacher is qualified to teach all subjects (a problem with many high school in-school suspensions) but at that age, probably so.
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>>OK, joking aside....there's a bit of a deeper issue here. Whether we're talking about the 70's', 80's, or today - teachers (elementary, middle school, high school) often say that one of the bigger distractions in school is kids going out of their way to be "different" in non-intellectual terms.
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>>I honestly think parents should take a harder line stance on their kids distinguishing themselves by how they think and perform in school, rather than by aspects of their appearance. When my daughter is 12, she'll be setting herself apart from others by cleverly quoting Aristotle - not because of her hair or clothes. If I had a son, I'd only let him have long hair if he also showed some depth.
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>Good luck. By the time you're dealing with teens and pre-teens, you generally learn to choose your battles. Hair length (or color) is rarely important enough to be one of them.
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>A simple rule goes a long way in those years: Nothing permanent. So grow your hair out or shave it or braid it, or grow a beard (well, not Katy, I hope <g>) or wear stupid t-shirts or go to school without a coat in winter; fine. Piercings (other than ears for girls), tattoos, etc. No way.
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We are in broad agreement. I wouldn't even pick a battle over the last one. A year or so ago Emily, then 16, said she wanted to get her tongue pierced. That girl has been more or less adult for about three years now, so after some discussion I reluctantly agreed. I told her I didn't like it but, well, it's your tongue. (Allie went downstairs with her at the tattoo parlor for the piercing itself. That was not something I wanted to witness).