Long Hair in School 2

"Prevalent" sums up debates about hair restrictions. Arising from concerns over human rights, liberty, and expression, more and more are striving for change, while some desperately defend the status quo. The sheer amount of discontent and frustration with such restrictions entails open discourse about the future of them and student rights alike.

Because of this, I invite you, the readers of Oasis, to join this pivotal discussion. Specifically, this article pertains to restrictions on long hair. Usually, we hear schoolmates grumbling about how they must get a haircut, as their hair has got "too long" - typically, the hair has crossed the eyebrows. Rather than that sometimes, though, it might just be "too long". Defining "long hair" is certainly somewhat subjective. Nonetheless, in this article, "long" will be defined as overlapping the eyebrows.

Attempts to justify this definition abound, so let's examine their flaws. Conventionally, it is claimed that austerity (樸素) is essential - that boys should keep their hair short, because it is simple and common. Calamitously, long hair is deemed "eccentric" and "flamboyant", which might not always be the case. Hair that reaches the eyebrows does not even require special maintenance! Even longer hair can be tied. Effectively, only when the hair is long enough to pose danger should it be prohibited.

"Delinquency" is also often cited as a reason. Supposedly, gangsters, truants, and decadents are such because they have long hair. Hair like such, as suggested, serves as a telltale sign of delinquency. Resultantly, young Lionel Messi, Keanu Reeves, and Johnny Depp are deplorable, as they are whom teenagers, who will eventually become murderers and arsonists, venerate. Undoubtedly, this overgeneralises people with long hair.

Longing to cultivate "discipline" and eliminate "eccentricity" (標奇立異), some uphold such restrictions. Evidently, it is believed that adherence to rules nurtures discipline. Albeit true, this does not account for the sacrifice of individual preferences. Currently, too many rules have been imposed on us in the name of discipline - so many that we have little choice over our style. Though uniformity indeed should be weighed, so should individuality. It is absurd to prioritise the same thing over and over when it comes to appearance, especially when our miens are the fundamental building blocks for personal expression and creativity, which should by no means be overly suppressed.

Elsewhere, the argument is made that boys "lose track of their own identity", because long hair is "girlish". To begin with, having hair that slightly exceeds the eyebrows hardly makes one a stereotypical girl. On top of that, gender identity and expression are disputable and must be taken into account. However, I desire not to risk shifting the focus today. Nonetheless, I contemplate every night why Messi is still playing in men's football, given his preference for longer hair in his teenage days...

Now, enough about the objectors; let's dissect why long hair restrictions should be eased.

Palpably, going to school will be more enjoyable and less troublesome for students. Imagine you getting caught simply due to something innocuous you prefer. Isn't that irritating? Furthermore, the enforcement of school rules will also be less burdensome for teachers. It is certainly exasperating to check for violations among students every morning, only to receive massive backlashes afterwards.

In addition, easing such restrictions reinforces the self-esteem of some, as, to those with "abnormal" preferences, the restrictions are unquestionably massive blows. I surmise that the ever-increasing suicide rate of teenagers owes at least partially to low self-esteem and the burden of societal norms.

You may wonder, why should I support the easing, if only 2 merits of doing so have been presented? To reiterate, I have abstained from involving extensive talks on freedom and liberty. Also, the rebuttals have illustrated how these restrictions are unnecessary and detrimental.

"Inherit, innovate, construct" is one of our school's mottoes. The last year saw new facilities and renovations, but physical amendments will not suffice without abstract adjustments. We should launch open discourse and consider multiple perspectives, so we can build a school that is satisfactory to everyone - a school not just for learning, but also for critical thinking and reflection. Fixating on untenable viewpoints would be very disappointing.

Nevertheless, feel free to contact me via email to discuss or, better yet, initiate public discussions!