Would dreadlocks be widely acceptable for a 23 year old main entering mainstream work?

[ByDearHare]

I am a mother of a 23 year old young man whom insists that dreadlocks are acceptable for mainstream work office.

I have tried to explain to my DS that he is shutting himself out of many work opportunities whom will have a dress code which he cannot dictate to.

I would appreciate very candid responses from all members of this forum.

Would be a complete non issue where I work, even if they were a bit scruffy. We’re very much a “individuality is great” org.

The only thing that would be mentioned was if someone smelled although we have had to pull the odd woman up for wearing backless/very low cut dresses…

As this thread clearly shows if he is white it won't go down as well for some people. Might be unfair but it definitely could hold him back.

Dreads far preferable to 3mm buzz cut! Omg ....

Personally a white person with dreadlocks = not at all, it's not a natural way to style their hair texture and looks like you want to party on a beach / don't understand modern society.

A black person with dreadlocks, perfectly professional, it's a natural hair style to have for your hair texture and as long as they're kept neat - as for any other hair style - completely fine, wouldn't look twice.

I agree with PP- it makes me uncomfortable when white people adopt dreadlocks.

For those with afro hair- absolutely fine and I think they look beautiful

Do you feel the same about black woman with bleached, chemically straightened hair, or who wear wigs/weaves or does “cultural appropriation only go one way?

Human beings should be able to do whatever the hell they like with their own hair.

Hi @BoobyDazzler yes cultural appropriation literally only goes one way because it's about historical dominance, mainstream society, and being persecuted for being who you are. So no of course I don't feel the same way about black women with straight hair, it doesn't make the person look like they're "finding themselves" in Goa or "discovering" South America, it makes them look like they've adopted a mainstream hair style that probably isn't great for their natural hair unless it's a wig, but that's between them and their hairdresser.

But anyway, I agree a white person shouldn't be arrested for having dreadlocks, all for freedom of expression, have whatever hairstyle you like, just know that it makes you look like a twat and if I saw you in the workplace I would definitely assume you were an idiot.

I wouldn’t assume a white person with dreads is a twat. I quite like that where I work nobody is judged on their hair regardless of their race. You can have your hair any colour, any style, any length. As long as your hair is clean, do what you want with your own hair.

I work for local authority and nobody would care about dreadlocks. I've got tattooed hands and arms and they don't care about those either.

I'm good at my job, my appearance doesn't impact that.

Chiaseedz

As long as you keep your prejudice inside everybody will be good.

https://www.ebony.com/justin-bieber-locs/

from your link

"The bottom line is this, we should only borrow from cultures that we recognize, study and celebrate. And as Black people, we can’t complain about our culture being appropriated by Whites when we appropriate the cultures of other people of color. We have to be willing to love the way that we want to be loved in the world."

Why wouldn't they be culturally appropriate?

The Romans said the Celts in Britain had hair like snakes, which was probably white people with dreadlocks. I think ancient Indians sometimes had them too. However if you want a smart City office job I think white graduates would be better off avoiding them and go for a normal hair cut and think about if they will be wearing a suit and tie or whatever complex smart casual is needed for that particular office. No brown shoes etc etc Things have got a lot more complex since the suit most disappeared - much harder, not easier.

I'm with you OP and would cut it.

Unfortunately or fortunately with these things, he'll soon find out if it's working out for him or not.

You may be surprised he will be the one to come ask you to cut it, experience being the best teacher!

However, it sounds like it is a varied market from the responses on this thread.