Will This Colour Your Opinion?

“Let me, O let me bathe my soul in colours; let me swallow the sunset and drink the rainbow.” 

― Kahlil Gibran

Arguably, one of the most controversial school policies is the dress code. Perhaps the reason for this controversy is that it is one of the few policies that impacts directly on the freedom of expression and individuality of the young people we care for. Now, before you think I am suggesting that we burn school ties and hoist school blazers from a flagpole whilst bellowing, “We surrender!” I should say that I am actually pro-uniform. My issue instead lies in the belief that a school should not dictate the colour of someone’s hair.

There are countless negative influences schools perceive to be in today's culture: the rise of the reality star and the desire for technology to name but a few. Schools therefore often struggle with finding balance in letting students express themselves and keeping order in the classroom. It is no wonder then that, through dress code, they strive to give some sense of identity and equality to the young people who represent them but choosing their hair colour?

In recent years a few schools have made headlines with some unusual approaches to monitoring the grooming of their students. One school went as far as to provide a colour chart of acceptable options! As a lover of colour and someone who proudly flies their freak flag high I do not see the harm in a little hair dye. After all, if we can’t experiment when we are young when can we?

Young people are told to wait until they’re older. But when is older? And why older? In the past few years I have known two people whose jobs have suffered due to their personal style. The first was a probation year teacher who was told that he wouldn’t finish his probation year unless he covered the tattoo on his arm. Was it large? No. Rude? No. In fact it was less than an inch long and happened to be a literary reference. The result? Forced to wear long sleeves throughout the year. The second, a friend in his mid-twenties, who happened to sport a beard (shocking I know!) to work. The result? He was fired!

So, if our twenties are considered too old to express our individual style then surely school is the time to find ourselves, embrace our individuality and grow our confidence? Author, Shannon Alder once said, “Confidence is knowing who you are and not changing it a bit because of someone’s version of reality is not your reality.” So, if a young person’s reality is pink hair, what’s wrong with that? If their confidence is found in colour and expression then does that really detract from their ability to learn?

It’s fair to acknowledge that texting in class is a major distraction but has anyone ever truly been distracted by coloured hair? Has any teacher ever had a pupil say to them, “Miss, terribly sorry but Wee Jenny’s pink hair is putting me off.”? In my entire career I have never experienced that.

What I have experienced is being told by my Head of Department that no one would ever hire me if I dyed my hair, “stupid colours”. So... Naturally, that’s exactly what I did. I then went on to work successfully for, coming up, ten years. What I have also experienced is being dragged into my Head Teacher’s office to be scowled like a child for telling a pupil I thought her (rule breaking) blue hair was, “cool”. Am I jobless? No. Do I regret what I said? No. Why do we criminalise those who choose to be different?

Surely isolation, exclusion and expulsion should be reserved as punishment for the worst of behaviours? Not as a stopgap till hair dye washes out. The purpose of school is to encourage personal, emotional and academic growth. Not to stifle or shame a person for their style choices. We teach our children that everyone is equal and deserving of respect. Yet, by our actions, we tell them that ‘natural hair’ is superior and that self-expression is deserving of ridicule.

Inadvertently schools have shifted the focus from the heart and brain of our young people to their outward appearance. When we focus on school appropriate hair colours we put school pride before the creativity and expression of those most vulnerable. Bullying, self-harm, stress, depression and anorexia are all bi-products of a society that is hyper aware of our exterior image.

This is not a blog suggesting that uniforms should be abolished or that we should suddenly allow mohawks for all. It is simply to open the discussion on whether young adults should be allowed the freedom to have coloured hair and if it is truly such a bad thing. I strongly believe that dedication, resilience and hard work should be the driving focus of our education system. Let’s not get distracted by the pretty colours.