10 year old boy with a mohawk - what's your take?

Question

My friends and I were having a discussion. I'm curious about others opinions on a 10 year old boy having a mohawk. Are you of the mindset "It's only a hair cut", do you think "it encourages rebellious behavior", any other opinions? Thanks!! :)

Well, I kept the question as 'generic' as possible because I wanted people's honest answers, but it is in fact my son. He's asked for a mohawk for his 10th bday and I let him have one. He's a straight A student and a very kind hearted, sensitive kid. If you ask me - he was already being judged because his ears stick out, he's gifted, he's awkward, and he's skinny. The people that matter will still see him for the great kid he is. Adults and kids alike will judge him - if it's because he's a 'nerd', or because of his hair. He was already being teased because he'd rather read a book than throw a football. And shame on the kids and shame on the adults that can't see past any of that. :) Thanks everyone for your opinions!!

Answer 1

My nephew who is also ten recently asked for one. My sister is of the mindset that he should have his hair the way he likes. Being a child of the 80's with many a buzzed haircut, I tend to agree with her. Hair is just hair. It grows back. Believing a haircut would encourage rebellious behavior is ridiculous. It's like saying wearing lipstick, would compell you to french kiss everyone.

Answer 2

While a mohawk is not my personal fave of a hairdo for children, or anyone for that fact, I don't think it encourages rebellion. There are different styles of mohawks, some are a little less out there. Perhaps you could start with a less obvious style, but luckily hair grows back.
I think it depends on the child that the style is used on too. Some kids it looks adorable on, but the other day I saw a boy who had a mohawk and it was just scary! He had the attitude that was disturbing and he looked at everyone as if he were contemplating how to kill them. I think he would have still been scary without the mohawk though.
In the end, it is just a hair cut, and it is probably one of the least dangerous ways to let him experiment.

Answer 3

I have one... but then I'm in my 30s... I think if he likes it he should be allowed to have it, but then I'm also NOT the parent. My step-son, back in the olden days, had one and a military-style haircut at the tender age of 8 just because he wanted to look like his Dad.

Hair isn't about rebellion all the time, it's just a look mostly that some people are attracted to. (shrug) That's my 2 cents for what it's worth. It's the actual behavior of the kid one should worry about... is their school work doing well? Are they well-behaved elsewhere? No drugs or alcohol?

I listen to Rammstein, have a mohawk and stretched ears, and I'm Buddhist (wink) so it's all in the intent I'd say. You be the judge though.

_()_

Answer 4

There are plenty of reasons to get a "Mohawk" outside of identifying with punk culture. Often times sports teams wear the the same haircut to express solidarity, maybe the boys like playing "Last of the Mohican's", or they are just trying to fit in or stand out. So, I don't think it encourages rebellious behavior. I do think that a Mohawk is often indicative that a person is, at least, prone to Rebellion. Traditionally it has been worn as a punk culture or warrior identifying mark. So, it would be worth considering that there may be some aggressive elements in that child that need to be channeled in a positive direction so that they don't look for negative outlets.

Answer 5

My neighbor's little boy had one when he was in kindergarten. He had it for a long time, then one day I saw him outside and it was gone. I asked where his mohawk was, and he just said he'd decided he didn't want it, like it was no big deal.

I think it's just hair, let the kid express himself with it. There are way more inappropriate ways that he could be showing his personality. I also think that restricting every little thing a kid does when they're young can lead to more rebellion as a teenager. If he's used to being able to do what he wants, within reasonable limits, he won't feel the need to go completely crazy when he's 17! It's just hair, it will grow out in a few months and he probably won't like it by then anyway. Plus you'll have some awesome pictures to embarrass him with the first time he brings a girl home!

Answer 6

My youngest boys are 6 & 7. The day after school let out at least half of their friends and teammates had mohawks. I personally don't like them and am glad they didn't want one but I don't see anything wrong with it if the kid wants it. My brothers all had mohawks in the summer when they were young.

Answer 7

I'm in the "It's only a haircut camp". Although I wasn't always.

Having a 14 year old I realize that hair is one of the more benign ways for a teen to show their individuality or rebeliousness.

I know a young lady from my church who always seems to have red hair, or blue hair or a mohawk or is bald - and you know what, she is a totally cool kid with a great attitude about life. A couple of years ago she started a nationwide boycott against a clothing retailer for selling t-shirts that were demeaning to girls. Worked though a social action youth group, wrote letters to TV stations and got interviewed on national news -- and she actually got the company to pull the offensive material.

She also taught me that what's inside the head counts a lot more than what is outside.

Thanks Emma!

Answer 8

Hair grows back. I'd rather see a ten-year-old with a mohawk than a tattoo or tongue-post.

Yes, believe it or not. It's actually becoming a problem in our area. Legislation is being considered.

Answer 9

My son will be 10 in dec. He's had the mohawk hairstyle since he was 4. He loves it and to me he looks awesome with it. My son is also a wrestler and plays tackle so he definitely looks the part. He doesn't mind the mohawk hairstyle as long as it doesn't get to long.

Answer 10

my 7 year old had a Mohawk last summer. his father took him without my knowledge because he knew i said new previously. when i came home from work there he was with not only a Mohawk, but a blue Mohawk!! i freaked at first(before i knew it was just the color of the gel that washes right out) but then i realized why not? if he is happy and just wants to do something different, it is just hair. it grows back. and it was really cute! however, i do have a rule now that he can only have it in the summer and when school starts he has to get it shaved. maybe that sounds silly but my reason is i feel that it will give teachers the wrong impression of him and it may be distracting to others in class.

Answer 11

I don't think it's appropriate while in school. A mohawk for the summer holidays is fine. Our district allows the kids to dye their hair any human color (except the week of Halloween where anything goes). You can have facial and ear piercings, but no hardware installed during school hours except up to 2 rings/studs per ear. They are fairly restrictive on the types of weird cuts that are appropriate. They simply call the parent to come get their child, resolve the problem, and return to school that day or it's an unexcused absense and/or suspension. The KIDS are the ones that came up with negotiated peace treaty, so they haven't had a lot of problems with it.