Little boy with long hair...?

Question

I asked this a while back and wanted to see what other people had to say. Do you think it's okay for a boy who is five years old to still have long hair? It has never been cut and I'm not too sure if I should do it or not--personal reasons. It doesn't seem to be a problem at school but I'm worried it will soon. He's really good about it if people think he's a girl. He says; I'm ___ ___ and I'm a little boy"--it's too cute!

When do you think kids should get their first hair cut? Do you think hair and looks really has an effect at such a young age?
When do you think kids should get thier first hair cut? Do you think hair and looks really has an effect at such a young age?

Blank Blank is his first and last name. I'm sorry I won't tell people that! He isn't cursing--my god he's only five!

I feel horrible that I didn't add the details. I had to get off of the computer right after I asked the question and it didn't give me a chance to explain. He is not my son. He is my cousin. He's been living with my family for about a year and a half now. He was my first cousin's (crack-head) son. She didn't want him and gave him to her parents (my aunt and uncle). They were never set well financially so when my Uncle died (two years ago) My cousin came to live with my husband and me. He has FAS and issues like this are really hard to push! His grandfather (my uncle) was a hippie and never cut his hair or beard--and my cousin wants to be just like him. That's why the issue is such a touchy one for me and I'm having trouble deciding. My son has already started getting his hair trimmed at 8months. I just don't know what to do about my cousin. He loves his hair but I think it may be an issue for him later. Anyway--thank you all for answering! Sorry I didn't add the details!

Answer 1

Some parents think that their kids should have their hair styled just like mom or dads. Don't do that it's stupid...
I would probably let my sons hair grow in long. Most boys either get stuck with a brush cut or a mushroom cut. Or worse daddies mullet. Then theres the mohawks and spikes.
As long as you don't french brade it or trim his bangs short it's fine. Who cares what grandma or the idiot in the bank lin-up thinks. Tell that old lady she looks like a man with her hair cut short.
Tell him to look at half the wrestlers and rock stars in the world. They all have log hair. He'll like that.
Just make sure he knows how to keep it clean.

Answer 2

Ask him what he wants and then go with it. If he likes having long hair then let him keep it long. If he wants a cut, then take him to the barber. Hair is such a minor thing, and it's good for you to let him have some say in the way he wants his hair, just draw the line at mullets, mohawks or anything weird. Even at his young age kids like to express themselves so if he chooses to do that with long hair, then let him. If it's not his choice though, or if he just doesn't care whether he has long or short hair, consider the impact of people always mistaking him for a girl, he might get tired of it.
P.S.- And if you do get it cut, please don't do that "bowl-cut" thing!

Answer 3

I think it's not fair to him to not cut his hair. He deserves the opportunity to be clearly identified by others as a little boy.

It's not cute that he has to tell people that he's a boy...I personally believe that it is poor parenting on your part that you have put him in this awkward position (nothing personal really - you asked!).

I think that children should get their first hair cut when their hair is getting too long. For my daughter, this was her bangs only, and it was a day before her 1st birthday...they were hanging in her eyes...poor kid didn't have any other hair on her head, so that's all there was to cut!

I believe that little boys should have their hair cut as soon as it gets past their shirt collar.

Yes, I think there is a definite effect, if a child is regularly identified as the wrong gender. I was often called a boy when I was a kid, because my mom kept my hair short, and it was extremely hurtful.

I recommend that you let him look like a boy now, and when he's old enough to understand style & gender, let him choose if he wants to let it grow long.

Answer 4

If he likes it and isn't bothered by what people say then just let him keep it the way it is. Heck with the way kids are he could change his mind in a week and want short hair. As long as he is comfortable with it then I wouldn't worry too much about it. You might explain to him that if he cuts his hair then people might not mistake him for a girl anymore. If he still chooses long hair then I wouldn't worry about it. If it becomes a problem at school he might get tired of the teasing and just get it cut.

Good luck

Answer 5

I personally don't care for boys or men with long hair. It just doesn't work for me, I don't get mullets or rattails either. I don't have any boys, but if I did, I would keep their hair short. Once they are a teenager they can decide hairstyles for themselves. I have a little girl and her hair has never been cut, other than her bangs. It's beautiful but it's hard to take care of. Sometimes I am jealous that my friends can give their boys buzz cuts, so much less maintenance!

As for affecting him emotionally, right now that doesn't seem to be an issue for him. The first time he comes home from school upset because he was teased about it, I'd tell him that we could cut it as soon as possible. He might not want to cut it, because you have taught him self confidence. If he doesn't mind it, don't worry about it.

Answer 6

If you like it and he likes it, just leave it. If he starts to be bothered that people mistake him for a girl and he wants it cut then cut it.

I personally don't think long hair looks good on boys, but if you two like it that is cool with me. That's what makes us all different.

Their first haircut should happen when it starts looking unkempt. I think that the effect appearance has on each kid really depends on the kids because some are naturall more self aware than others.

Answer 7

If you like it and he likes it, just leave it. If he starts to be bothered that people mistake him for a girl and he wants it cut then cut it.

I personally don't think long hair looks good on boys, but if you two like it that is cool with me. That's what makes us all different.

Their first haircut should happen when it starts looking unkempt. I cut my daughter's hair when it started looking uneven in the back (like a baby mullet). I cut my son's hair when it grew over his ears. I think that the effect appearance has on each kid really depends on the kids because some are naturall more self aware than others.

Good luck with your choice.

Answer 8

my son got teased at school due to his long hair and he had trouble seeing and concentrating cause his hair was in his face. So we do the hair cut thing every 6-8 weeks so he looks like a boy and presntable and keeps his hair from being a distraction. My son has had a hair cut since he was 3 mainly cause his hair grew fast.

Answer 9

One of my dearest friends has a five yr old also with long hair. He looks great and no one hassles him. (My friend's mom hassles HER for not cutting it however!!) Now, his dad has long hair too so that might make a difference.
I think kids should get their first haircut when mom & dad decide.
I don't think hair or looks have that much of an effect at that age. I am guessing that he'll tell you if he starts to get harrassed at school and how he feels about that. Then you can talk about it and decide together!

Answer 10

I kept my son's hair long when he was a baby/toddler, with the exception of trimming his bangs. Even though we put him in shorts with frogs and lots of "boy" clothes, people still called him a girl. We just adopted the "duck" approach and let it "roll off." At about 3, he had tubes in his ears so we cut his hair pre-surgery. He kept it short until about 6 months ago, and at 11 years old is growing a ponytail. It's only hair.