WIBU to allow my son to have his hair dreadlocked?

[MyNameIsDave]

My son has long (for a boy) curly hair, he is mixed race and many people in our family have dreadlocks/braided hair, he asks all the time to have his hair done like this. I know he will sit long enough as he often requests to have all his hair put into plaits and will happily sit for the duration...but I don't like it!

I'm looking for opinions on this as half the reason I'm reluctant to allow him to have it done is because people judge; I don't want him being judged anymore than he already is by having long hair as a boy.

He's only 4, he starts school in September, it would be more manageable but it's not too difficult to manage as it is! I'm NOT having it all cut off, he loves his hair and so do I, there's just no reason to cut it all off. (Head lice might change our stance on this!).

Would you judge?

[Coffeemarkone]

ergghghghgh yes he must have - I was too shocked to ask - as I had little lice ridden kids at that time!

[Lurkedforever1]

mame no idea of the rule. My curly, abundant but fine Caucasian hair will form really nice dreadlocks by itself and with little effort I could get great ones if I'd wanted, but the whole look wouldn't be the same cos thick as it is, my hair isn't as abundant as actual Afro hair. My mixed race friend has the thickness and wiry part, but not the usual kink/ curl so hers is harder to form into dreads than mine, but having more hair they look better once done than mine ever could if I tried. She reckons you need the thickness, the curl and the wirey/ coarse aspects to get them to form easily and look good, with none or one quality they'll never look good and two qualities you can get round the easily formed part with the right effort, or if they naturally form at least the dreads themselves will look good, if not the overall style. That's just her opinion from her experience of mixed race siblings so not saying it's the same for all.

[Ericaequites]

Kerosene was a common lice treatment before WWII in the States. It's not wise or safe.

[Ericaequites]

It wasn't rinsed. This was common among poor people, and led to much teasing. Combing was what posher/more patient people did. My scalp itches as I type this.