why does the catholic school in my area want my son to cut his rats tail off before they will allow him to?

Question

attend?

We went for an interview yesterday with the principle and she told us he was accepted as long as we cut of his rats tail.

For those of you who may not know what this is, it's a thin plat at the base of his hair and its about 8 inches long. Maybe 1cm round

Don't you think this is being judgmental of my son who is only 5!!

How does his hair effect what he will learn or how he will behave?

My daughter has almost completed her last year at this school and we really wanted our son to go here as well as we do love it.

Should I just cut his hair off which he has had since birth??

or find him another school?

What would you do??

wow! all the answers so far are pretty harsh!! let me put it this way...


My son LOVES his rats tail and DOES NOT want it cut.

The reason he has it is, he wants it!

I dont want your opinions on this particular style, just if you think the school has the right!

Girls there have hair below their waists!
Also the girls can wear nail polish, jewelery and make up!!

I live in AUSTRALIA!!

Answer 1

This sounds like a school that has some issues with individuality. I would not walk, I would RUN to another school and enroll him. Any school that has a problem with a five-year-old's hairstyle is worried about the wrong things. Be thankful you found out before you paid for the semester, and find a better place.

Answer 2

Because they want their students to be clean-cut. They are not being "judgmental." I think you are being too sensitive. It is the same reason why the New York Yankees and some other sports teams will not allow long hair or facial hair on their athletes. Didn't you know this when you applied to a catholic school? Catholic schools are usually clean cut. Personally, I don't mind a tail, but those are their rules.

Answer 3

Appearance is part of the dress code. Usually, Catholic schools have uniforms that include comments on hair length and style, piercings, nail polish, etc.

The point of a dress code is primarily to instill a sense of pride in each student and to signify to them that what they are doing at school is important. A secondary effect is that it "equalizes" the kids in terms of socio-economic status and ethnicity. My kids go to a very ethnically diverse Catholic school that also has a large difference in family income levels. About 50% of our kids get free lunches, but we also have kids whose parents make a lot of money.

It is NOT a judgment on your son in any way. It's nothing personal and neither you nor he should look at the rule as if it was. That rule has probably been around for 20 years or more.

It has been proven that dress codes really do improve school behavior, attitude and study habits. And yes, that includes restrictions on things like hair, fingernails, etc.

If you believe this school offers your son the best education, then I think you should cut off the rat tail and preserve it in a treasure box -- consider it a Rite of Passage as buying the first book bag and school shoes is.

Answer 4

The rat tail was in style in the 80's and has been long ago over why is your son wearing one, What part of the country do you live?
Sorry for my surprise. Now to answer. It is like a dress code thing a rat tail is a rebellious symbol and they expect kids to be obedient. It is more about what it symbolizes rather than what it is.

Answer 5

Many schools have dress codes and codes of grooming for their students. I believe it's a good idea because a person's dress and grooming really does affect not only the way other people react to them but also their feelings about themselves. It's not just a matter of what a person wants or likes; a person's appearance really does reflect their inner self as well as affect the reactions of others to them. I believe the school is completely within its rights to require certain standards of dress and grooming for its students.

Answer 6

cut off his hair- it's not going to hurt him any

what is more important a good education or a hair style.
school officials and employers ahve a right to decide what kind of image they want their school or place of business to have - it may seem to infringe on your rights, but if certain looks (clothing , hairstlyes, etc) conjure up negative images for whatever reason- they have a right to not allow it.
Refusing to conform is usually more about personal pride and offense than it is about true conviction.
Decide what is more important to you, if there really is a conviction about the hair or if it is more a personal offense issue - then make your decision from there

Answer 7

Is it really that big of a deal to just cut it off? In all honesty, I can't say I've ever seen an attractive rat tail. I highly doubt he'll even know it's gone. I would think they want it cut off for practical reasons more than for appearance--kids that age like to run around and pull each other's hair, and having his hair short might help prevent that.

Answer 8

Dress codes will catch up with you one way or another. It's one of those things you have to bow down to when choosing a private school. It really doesn't make it right or wrong. It's just the way it is. If it's an excellent school, I'd stay.

(To the first poster Jeff, I almost fell out of my office chair laughing)

Answer 9

Most Catholic schools have a dress code. Your son's "rats tail" apparently doesn't fit into that. If you feel that he must express himself in this matter (or is it your preference?), then you can always send him to a public school where discipline is usually more lax.

Answer 10

I know what a rat tail is, they were quite popular in the 80's. They are not being judgemental in my opinion. Catholic schools are strict, they have a uniforms and rules. It's no big deal. cut the rat tail off. I personally think they look silly. If you like the school, you'll have to break down and conform to their rules. Save it in a zip lock bag for him. or make hair art out of it.