Hairy situation

Hairy situation

Schools are back in session and so is the debate over the student hairstyle. A new batch of pictures of students whose hair got cut or shaved poorly against their will, as a form of punishment, by their teachers has been recently circulated online. We're probably getting another set once the next hair inspection day comes. Last Friday, student activists submitted a petition to the Ministry of Education asking for clarity over the hairstyle rule. You see, the ministry has already allowed students to wear their hair long so long as it's neat and complies with other conditions. However, a few schools still take it upon themselves to cut students' hair that they deem "inappropriate".

As I deep-dive into this very heated debate, I've spotted a few common defenses made for the hairstyle rule that is stupider than the rule itself. No mincing words here 'cause sometimes you just have to call things for what they are. They are amusingly outrageous and illogical that it would be a sin not to share. Read on for entertainment.

Having your hair cut by a teacher against your will is a minor issue. It'll grow back. No permanent damage is done.

The problem isn't the loss of hair. It's about having a part of your body violated by another person against your will. Time may heal the physical scars but I don't think it works the same way on the emotional scars. How would you like it if someone takes scissors or clippers and creates a bald patch on your head? You probably report them to the police, as you should. Also, what a great way to teach kids about consent.

Allowing girls to have long hair may lead to more teenage pregnancy.

Wow. Congratulations for being misogynistic and misandrist in one sentence. So, you think girls have long hair to attract boys and boys can't control themselves when they see long luscious hair? For Buddha's sake, were you that hormone-driven when you were in school? Why don't we just abolish co-ed schools altogether?

If you can't follow this small rule, how would you grow into a law-abiding citizen?

Ah, the stupid classic. Men in uniform like soldiers and policemen whose lives are subject to many rules can commit crimes and break the law themselves. No offense to good soldiers and policemen.

I went through the same thing and came out fine. Why should it be any different for you?

You enduring bad s*** doesn't mean the younger generation should be subject to the same ordeal. For example, I scraped my knees quite badly while crawling on all four during hazing at my high school and don't want any kids to have that same experience. Why do you want to perpetuate awful things?

If you can't stand the rule, then find another school that's more lenient about hairstyles.

It's true that students may have more hair freedom if they attend private or international schools but not all families can afford to enrol their kids in those schools. Also, why do they have to? The issue is about asking Thai schools to adapt to the ministry's already relaxed hair rules.

More importantly, the students have the right (and brain) to question the logic, necessity and relevance of having rules governing their hair in the first place. It's not a crime to question things and not follow rules blindly especially when that said rule serves little to no purpose.

I've always heard that we want to encourage Thai kids of today to be able to think critically or think for themselves. So when they try to do just that, how come a few adults want to shoot them down?

Pornchai Sereemongkonpol

Guru section Editor

Guru section Editor

Email : pornchais@bangkokpost.co.th

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (4)