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Original poster

Afro hair is not allowed in primary school

295 replies

Mumkris · 07/09/2018 16:10

Hello everyone,
I am really struggling to understand why my son’s hair is not allowed in school. He is biracial and he loves his gorgeous curly hair. His primary school, however insists that he should cut it or plait his hair as it’s causing a distraction and they “cannot have that”?!
I read their hair policy and there is nothing against that. His hair is long but not long enough to be tied back. It is what it is - natural!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 07/09/2018 16:12

Wtf! What is it doing to distract people?

PanannyPanoo · 07/09/2018 16:16

Goodness. That sounds dreadful. Have the school spoken or emailed you directly or has this come via your son? - Just hoping he may have mis interpreted what was said.

I would imagine that it would be both a racial and a sexism issue to discriminate in this way . I have a Mums net ad on my page of a Guess the fruit picture - Not sure if everyone does - does your son have hair similar to that?

gingina · 07/09/2018 16:28

I think the rules about short or tied back hair are made to prevent nits spreading not to discriminate.
It is a nightmare trying to keep nits at bay at that age!!

Fooferella · 07/09/2018 16:28

I would be raging at that. if other boys have long hair, just not afro hair, then tell them to FUCK right off. If the rules are that all boys must have short hair I guess it's fair enough that they've asked, as long as they say the same to any boy with long hair. Then I'd think again about having him in such a proscriptive school.

Original poster
Mumkris · 07/09/2018 19:43

Thanks for your comments, I feel supported already!
At first, they called me and said it looks messy and we should go and cut it. I told them straight away it’s not going to happen. My son is in year 6 and can decide what he wants to do with his hair. They then spoke to him and gave him two options: cut it or plait it. He chose the second option. Today headteacher’s PA left a voicemail on my mobile saying that his hair is a distraction and they cannot have that. I am fuming... Guess why he doesn’t want to go to school and study. By the way, there is at least one boy in his year group that has long hair tied back and they never said anything.

OP posts:
jewel1968 · 07/09/2018 20:11

I would establish what the complaints procedure is and write a formal complaint citing racial discrimination. This may be useful. www.city.ac.uk/news/2016/june/what-is-the-issue-with-natural-african-caribbean-hair

anitagreen · 07/09/2018 20:13

Sounds like racial discrimination please do not cut it or plait it if he doesn't want it done. Can't stand this bullying that seems to come to black and bi racial people when it comes to hair.

805Thistle · 07/09/2018 20:14

In what way is it distracting?

StealthPolarBear · 07/09/2018 20:15

It's his hair!! He's not attached a small unicorn to his head

jewel1968 · 07/09/2018 20:15

Where are you located? I am curious. I have 3 kids with similar hair and 2 in a very strict school but they have never been told to tame their hair.

StealthPolarBear · 07/09/2018 20:15

I assume.

OldSchoolDa · 07/09/2018 20:15

This reply has been deleted

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

Knittedfairies · 07/09/2018 20:16

Why has it become an issue now? Either there’s a new head in post or your son’s hair has grown rapidly over the summer. Who is getting distracted over his hair?

805Thistle · 07/09/2018 20:18

I love a big fro. Personally I think if it’s wider than the shoulders, or touches the ceiling, it’s time to tame it. Any less, go nuts!

Mishappening · 07/09/2018 20:18

Distracting! - that is quite hysterical! Hair- distracting?!

MaisyPops · 07/09/2018 20:19

By the way, there is at least one boy in his year group that has long hair tied back and they never said anything.
I'm guessing they have no issue with that child's hair because it's tied back. Your child has had the same option.

I don't think they mean distracting for others. I would imagine it's like when they tell parents of girls that their hair is distracting because it's in the way, falling over their face, in their eyes, they're always flicking it out the way etc. All things that get in the way of learning.

If school have a policy that hair is short or long hair is tied back then they arent being against his hair as the other boy with long hair has it tied up.

user838383 · 07/09/2018 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SavoyCabbage · 07/09/2018 20:21

Do other children with hair a similar length have to have it tied back?

AfterSchoolWorry · 07/09/2018 20:21

The nits excuse is rubbish. I don't think lice are very successful on afro hair?

I would view that as complete racism. How is afro hair 'distracting' ? It's someone's natural hair. Angry

MaisyPops · 07/09/2018 20:23

I would view that as complete racism.
Why?
The OP has said that another boy has his hair tied up?

Children endlessly flicking hair out their face, moving it out their eyes, not being able to see if it flops over their face, being played with etc is what's distracting, not the presence of hair.

anotherangel2 · 07/09/2018 20:24

Children are much quicker to accept differences than adults. In primary school children are normal in one class or only a few classes so they would quickly get used to it.

Forgive me if I am ignorant, but isn’t Afro hair naturalky held out of people’s eye due to its texture so it won’t be OP’s son’s eye.

Fraula · 07/09/2018 20:27

It's racism. Not acceptable!! This is not the first time I've heard this, it's happened to lots of children. Stand your ground, OP, and put a clear response in writing.

museumum · 07/09/2018 20:28

Children endlessly flicking hair out their face, moving it out their eyes, not being able to see if it flops over their face, being played with etc is what's distracting, not the presence of hair.

Don’t be ridiculous. Afro hair does not flick or flop. Have you ever seen Afro hair?

AfterSchoolWorry · 07/09/2018 20:29

Afro hair doesn't fall in the eyes! Confused

MaisyPops · 07/09/2018 20:31

museumum
Yes.

My point is that schools have rules about long hair. When people say 'as if hair is distracting', it can be.

It's not racism to say that all children with long hair have to tie it up or cut it shorter.

Now it may be worth debating whether it's a reasonable rule or not, but it seems odd to cry racism when the OP has said another boy has his hair tied back.