Boys and mohawks, what's your opinion?

Question

Ok so here's the deal....my 10 year old son has been picked on from the get-go. He'd rather read a book than throw a football, he's tall, skinny and awkward, he's in the gifted classes, and not at all athletic. He's been the target of 'bullies' and judgements (what kid isn't, really?) from kindergarten. He's never let it get to him, surprisingly, I guess logically he's smart enough to know that it doesn't matter what others think, he's comfortable with himself.
Well, for his 10th bday he asked for a mohawk, everyone is telling me he'll get picked on and made fun of and I shouldn't let him do it...but my thought is - well if it's not the mohawk it'll be something else. I've already made up my mind but I was curious about others opinions. Just got me thinking I suppose - about other people's perceptions of kids with mohawks.
(And yes, I already checked with his school and they allow 'hawks as long as they aren't colored and they aren't more than 3" above their head)

Answer 1

It may change the way the other kids perceive him in a good way. I remember being the solitary punk rocker in HS and even though I didn't know everyone in the school, everyone knew me. Strangely enough I gained a bit of fame and in turn my confidence was boosted.

Look at it this way, if he hates it after a day or two, he can scale down to a crew cut.

Answer 2

I must say I love mohawks, I am 17 right now, and have a 21" mohawk, I do go to highschool and you do get picked on, but after a while, people finally decide that it gets old fast. The look may make his teachers see him as a different person. I have been categorized as a Goth or a Punk Rocker, mostly because it is a Punk Rocker haircut. I have found my place among these people, and he will be accepted into a group of people because of his looks, and because of his smarts. Don't judge his friends by appearance, remember, your son is also getting a hawk... Just be open-minded and supportive, and someday, he may have a hawk like mine.

Answer 3

You answered my ? about my picky 10 yr old,I loved your answer.Sounds like our boys are very similar. I have let my son have a mo hawk w/ stipulations. I personally don't find them appropriate for school. So I agreed that if he kept his grades up he could have one for the summer.He did and I got out the clippers and kept up my end of the deal. But for you the summer is far away. Maybe you could come up with a deal of your own. I was hoping that my son would be on to the next fad by the time our deal was up and forget about the hawk but no.I guess if the child isn't worried about what others think than by all means let them express themselves.Like you said if it's not the hawk it will be something else.As long as it doesn't harm them or anyone else I say go for it!!!

Answer 4

I say do it! If he wants it why not? He's not asking to get his nose pierced at least. LOL My son is nine and is very much like yours. I was going to let him get one but he changed his mind. I had one in the '80's and it was about 6 inches high and pink. I'm a woman lol. It was cool, but back then they were much different than the ones I see now. I don't see the spikes any more. Just a strip of hair a little longer and the rest shaved. I don't see any problem with that. Your son has already ebstablished himself in school that he is a good and intelligent boy. His teachers shouldn't think any different of him either.

Answer 5

My 4 year old (yes 4!) pestered us for about 3 months for a mohawk. We finally gave in and he is soo happy. Mostly people think it's cute, but some people are a little nasty. He's too little to notice, but an older kid might. The good thing? He can always cut it off if he hates it! 10 is plenty old enough to choose your own style.

Answer 6

I love it! I'm all for letting kids pick their haircuts (except for a mullet - my son is never having a mullet!) especially being that the school is okay with it. Probably because it's becoming more and more popular with kids now that the parents are younger and cooler than our parents were. It's just starting to become a little overdone with the toddler boys having mohawks nowadays. A 10 year old is different though.

Answer 7

My 6 yr old had a mohawk a little baby one for a few weeks. It was really cute. I dont see the problem with it. It's cool that he has an interest in his style and appearance. And great for him that he is the kind of kid he is!

Answer 8

Obviously your son is very much an individualist since being "picked on" doesn't bother him He is comfortable making is own statement which is wonderful. So get him a mohawk. He is his own person. You might also want to read "The Indigo Chidren" you may see your son in much of the book.

Answer 9

I think you should let him get it. I think mohawks are cool looking. On smaller kids they are cute. On men they are sexy.

Once he gets into Jr. High & High school, I am sure the teasing will stop. Let kids just like to be mean for the fun of it. Once they get older they will start to find themselves and not be so mean.

I am sure you son already knows to ignore other people remarks and be happy with himself. He sound like a very smart kid.

I truely believe if they are old enough to ask for it, then they are old enough to handle it. (most of the time)

Answer 10

If the school is cool with it and the kid wants it, let him. At 10, a child is really in a stage of trying to forge their own independence and identity. Allowing them to make simple decisions like hairstyles that won't hurt anybody but make them feel a little more "grown up" is great.