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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that long hair on young boys.......

323 replies

Haahoostory · 07/10/2012 10:57

Is unfair on the child. It dangles in their face and gets in their way and must be really annoying for them. With girls you can clip it back or tie it up in pretty styles so no problem at all. It is the parents imposing their tastes and choices on the child - rather like when toddlers have pierced ears. Older boys with long hair absolutely fine - as they have chosen to wear it that way, but toddlers and younger boys no.

OP posts:
GoodPhariseeofDerby · 07/10/2012 12:32

The topic is about toddlers and babies, I do not understand how at that age their sex can make any difference in whether or not they look good with long hair.

haahoo, since you asked, I know quite a few gay men as well as a few bisexual men with long hair. Hair length/style does not affect sex or sexuality.

squeakytoy · 07/10/2012 12:34

All I can say is, if you get offended when people dont correctly guess the gender of your child, dont let your boys have long hair. Other than that, it is upto you as the parent how you let your small child look. Not up to the child, the parent.

RandallPinkFloyd · 07/10/2012 12:35

I never cease to be amazed at the things people have an opinion on!

Hair? Really? Children's hair? People actually have opinions on other people's children's hair? Confused

(As for cutting a grandchild's hair, definitely agree a slit lip would be in order)

MustTidyPlayroom · 07/10/2012 12:38

DS3 has hair of spun gold and I will sob the day he wants a shorter cut like his older brothers.

DS2 has his hair the shortest which doesn't seem to stop him loving his ballet class.

I can highly recommend the bacon and cream cheese sandwich I've just had lunch!

colleysmill · 07/10/2012 12:39

Ds was bald until 1 yr so we didn't notice the double crown until then. When his hair did finally grow it grew in a single stripe down the centre of his head like a badger and then gradually filled out.

Interestingly people often commented then on the stripe more than they do now on his longer hair now - they often couldn't or wouldn't believe I hadn't had it cut that way. I would often hear comments in the park or supermarket of "look at that poor child's hair"

LonelyCloud · 07/10/2012 12:41

Question to people who can't abide boy toddlers with long hair - how do you get them to sit still at the barbers?

DS's (13 months) hair is getting a bit long, but I'm a bit concerned that if we take a trip to the barbers, we might end up in A&E, given his dislike of sitting still when there's new and exciting things to explore.....

quirrelquarrel · 07/10/2012 12:42

Why can't boys have pretty slides in their hair? silly OP. how would any child look bad if their hair was done up in a nice style? All kids are pretty.

LOL @ theinets Grin

znaika · 07/10/2012 12:44

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

CelticParalympian · 07/10/2012 12:49

My DS has lovely long hair, because I like it. I'm a bit right on, but definitely not trendy! I've had a fringe cut in it to keep it out of his eyes, and if he tells me he wants it short I'll get it cut.

YABU. Mind your own.

GoldShip · 07/10/2012 12:55

Lol at 'massively interfere'. Seriously?

scottishmummy · 07/10/2012 12:55

Christ alive every thread has some Missy marple saying troll
trolling about length of hair yes that will have us all gripped.
the potential for damage and mischief maximised.quick get dem glistening torches

InvisibleHotPinkWeasel · 07/10/2012 12:58

Not worth the pitchforks really is it? Grin

Perhaps a toasting fork for all the recently thrown buns though?

SummerRain · 07/10/2012 13:02

Ds2 is 3, he has sensory issues and won't let us or the barber near his hair. I'd much prefer it shorter but he won't allow it and I'm not willing to traumatise him by holding him down screaming and having a meltdown whilst we hack at it.

Right now it's rather conveniently hiding the massive bruise he got when he crashed into a door on Thursday Grin

PosieParker · 07/10/2012 13:02

I am a feminist but I'm with the OP tbh. On most boys their long, often, scraggy hair looks awful. It is often a statement by the parents rather then what suits the child. And dreads on kids, no matter what race, looks pretentious and hideous.

MrsRobertDuvallHasRosacea · 07/10/2012 13:05

I am not a fan of long hair on boys.
I am not a fan of long hair on girls if it is wispy and ratty.

Men with long hair...yes if it is thick and luxurious, not if it is thinning and limp.
And men with pony tails and Balding crowns should be put in stocks.Grin

Ds has a short back and sides...he hated the hairdressers as a toddler and had to be pinned down. We solved the problem by a lady coming to the house...he was ok then.

scottishmummy · 07/10/2012 13:05

by all means assert your preference but don't pass it off as fact
if a parent wants dreads, long hair that's their preference
in same way as short hair doesn't necessarily equal smart to everyone

Longdistance · 07/10/2012 13:07

The boys with long hair that I have seen recently, are those with long, dank greasy hair, with wispy bits that go in their eyes. Looks like the parents haven't bothered taking them to the hairdressers all. Just awful I'm afraid.
But, I do like boys with curly/ Afro hair, that's obviously been well managed.

WhereYouLeftIt · 07/10/2012 13:10

My son ASKED to have long hair when he was about 7. He wanted to look like Legolas from Lord of the Rings. It got to about shoulder length before he wanted it short again. It did get in his eyes a bit (Legolas would never have a fringe, apparently), but I would French-pleat the front section. He really liked that!

MummyPig24 · 07/10/2012 13:14

I like long hair on boys. Ds is almost 5 and has short hair. It suits him and its been cut this way since he was 1. Recently he's been asking to grow it long. If he protests when I suggest a hair cut he can give it a goo. It's his hair! Dd was one of those baldy babies and it took forever to grow. She has had 2 haircuts and its quite long now. I think most children would strongly protest if their parents tried to do something with their hair they didn't like!

LittleMissFlustered · 07/10/2012 13:21

My son's hair is his concern. He has had it short and down to just pays his shoulders. He prefers it collar length, Incouldnt give a monkeys as long as it is clean. He is five. I am common as muck and have no pretensions.

More to the point, who really gives a flying fuck?

LittleMissFlustered · 07/10/2012 13:22

Apologies for dire typing in my last post. I think I need another coffee.

NervousAt20 · 07/10/2012 13:23
scottishmummy · 07/10/2012 13:24

is that the same as I'll get the popcorn
how v old skool

Wetthemogwai · 07/10/2012 13:48

birds you had me laughing at 'I'm in Liverpool, appearance matters'

I'm in Walton where it clearly doesn't

Fwiw I like shoulder length, curly hair on boys but any longer or straight and I don't like it. Tis just taste.
Dd has no hair at all at 18 months so style is not yet an issue

cece · 07/10/2012 16:14

I've just been to watch my long haired son play contact rugby.