Child's mohawk causes debate

CNN ^ | April 5, 2004 | AP

[Buck72]

It used to be that schoolchildren might get their mouths washed out for using blue language. These days at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, they're more likely to have their hair washed out -- for sporting a blue mohawk.

Parents of a 6-year-old boy say they plan to consult an attorney after a school principal washed bright blue dye out of their son's punk-style haircut.

Levey Padocs Jr.'s father said he allowed his son to get the distinctive 'do more than a month ago for behaving better in class.

[reformed_democrat]

"Leave him alone. He's not a problem child. He's not hurting anyone," Levey Padocs Sr. said. "He's an individual, and that's how he's expressing his individuality."

He's SIX. Of COURSE he's not a problem child. You have to be at least eight before you're savvy enough to be a problem child.

Kid's got a good start, though.

[netmilsmom]

Ping!

[narby]

When I was a sophmore in HS, there was a case in Oklahoma where the judge ruled that schools can't set hair standards. The case back then being long hair, of course.

The kid will probably win the case. Unfortunatly.

Schools aren't the place for "individuality". Part of learning how to be civilized is learning how to obey rules. Even if they're stupid rules.

[Arthur McGowan]

I heard a "conservative" on the radio ranting about this. The gist of his remarks was that every child should have a short haircut, and the teachers and principal were right to wash the kid's hair, etc. In other words: Nothing before the State; nothing above the State; nothing outside the State.

Abolish government schools, and this problem disappears, just like sex instruction, the phony "prayer-in-school" issue, look-say reading, etc., etc.

[Arthur McGowan]

Schools aren't the place for "individuality". Part of learning how to be civilized is learning how to obey rules. Even if they're stupid rules.

Which is exactly why government schools must be abolished, because they have turned even people like you, who THINK you are "conservative," into state-worshipping, regimentation-loving fascistoids.

[BadAndy]

A 6 YO with a blue mohawk? Teach your kid not to be a freak you G-Damn Hippies.

[netmilsmom]

They let him have a blue Mohawk for a month of behaving better in class and they say he is not a problem child. I guess I have to ask if there is a dress code.

[Melpomene]

He's SIX. Of COURSE he's not a problem child.

Don't count on it. My husband "was asked to leave" KINDERGARTEN after the teacher identified him as being a problem child.

[MineralMan]

"Schools aren't the place for "individuality". Part of learning how to be civilized is learning how to obey rules. Even if they're stupid rules."

Time for your Koolaid, kiddies. Seriously, don't you see how far this is from the concept of liberty?

[headsonpikes]

Don't quit now, you're on a roll!

Kids - disrespect wrongful authority!

[TheBigB]

The school isn't even an issue. No 6-year-old child should have a friggin' blue mohawk. And any parent that would allow one is a moron.

[sharktrager]

My ex-girlfriend's daughter was a holy terror, and very disturbed, and she was just six. She had already been forced to repeat kindergarten, and was looking at a third try.

It is not her fault she was raised like that, but it is the truth.

[ovrtaxt]

Yeah, I was a problem child in Kindergarten too. But that because I COULD ALREADY READ and they were doing mister M with the munchy mouth. I was bored to death!

But the ultimate solution is the abolishment of government education (an oxymoron). Not good for much but socialist/ communist/heretic indoctrination.

[elbucko]

who THINK you are "conservative," into state-worshipping, regimentation-loving fascistoids.

No. I think you missed the point. Children have immature judgement, that is why their "rights" are restrained until they are 18. I don't belive the Founding Fathers ever considered that the Bill of Rights conferred adult rights upon children. Children's rights rest with the parents. The only time a minor "needs" his rights is when he has committed a crime, not until. And not for a blue Mohawk haircut.

The modern extension of "rights" to minors is a tactic of the ACLU to broaden their constituency and their power. The ACLU is dedicated to the elimination of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, rather than its protection. It is an impediment to the socialist cause and your interpretation of "rights" is assisting the ACLU in its crusade to eradicate the Constitution. Think about it.

[Alkhin]

You know what's hilarious!?

These kids think this is something NEW!!

ROFLMAO!!!!!

That is, like, SOOOOOOOO 80s, y'know?

[MineralMan]

"Children's rights rest with the parents. "

---

Indeed. Where they do not rest is with the school. If a child's parents want to dye their kid's hair blue, then that is their decision. If they want their child to wear a suit and tie to school, making the child look nothing like the other children, then that is their decision.

If they want their child to carry a Bible to school, then that is their decision. If they want their child to pray before meals at school, then that is their decision.

You see, the problem is that we "conservatives" don't like it when schools restrict our children, if the restriction is not in keeping with our thinking.

Yet, if the kid comes to school with a blue mohawk, or in a Kerry '04 t-shirt, we're just fine with that restriction.

You can't have it both ways. Either parents may dress their children as they choose, or they may not. Either they may encourage their child in their religion, or they may not.

It is none of the school's affair.

[TheBigB]

Can a child come to school naked?

[Stone Mountain]

They let him have a blue Mohawk for a month of behaving better in class and they say he is not a problem child. I guess I have to ask if there is a dress code.

A month is a very long time for a six-year-old. If there is a specific dress code he is violating, then they should just quote it. Otherwise, who is he hurting? Is it so wrong to want to be different?

[Stone Mountain]

Nice post - you nailed it!