UK Teen removed from classes until hair grows back

[Second Summer]

A teenager who shaved his head for a cancer charity has been removed from classes.

Taylor Jones, 15, was told that his "extreme hairstyle" was inappropriate when he returned after the holiday.

More: Cornwall teen disciplined for 'extreme hairstyle' - BBC News

It says he's removed from classes and given "individual specialist tuition" for four days until the hair grows back a bit.

I just don't know where to begin with this, but my main question is this: Why is it a problem in a supposed free society, in the year 2017, that someone shaves their head?

 

[Amy SF]

I think it's the reaction that's a bit extreme. What if the teen himself had cancer and lost all his hair due to chemotherapy? Would they still treat him like a criminal and force him into a "special" room? Why can't they ask him to just wear some kind of head covering in class if they're so offended by a bald head? And what does it say about them that a simple act of compassion and solidarity is treated as a punishable offense rather than something to be commended? I feel sorry for Taylor. He shouldn't have to be separated from his schoolmates for doing a kind deed.

 

[Second Summer]

When I went to school in the 90s I got myself into a sort of bet or dare: If someone would give me 500 Norwegian Kroner (slightly less than 100 USD) I would shave my head. I didn't really like the idea of shaving my head, but on the other hand it was a nice lump of money. Then again, I never thought anyone would ever put this amount of money on the table. I got a bit nervous when one of my classmates started raising money for this, and another volunteered to do the actual shaving! Fortunately, after a while the campaign lost steam and the issue went off the radar.

Anyway, my point is if anyone wants to shave their head, it's not the school's business.

I was thinking, perhaps one reason why the school doesn't take kindly to children shaving their heads has to do with discouraging criminal gangs or political extremism? Sometimes members of such groups shave their heads as a sign of group affiliation.

 

[silva]

That's horrible! I get the gang signs, but there are behaviors that go along with those affiliations that can be used to punish, not appearance!

 

[Moll Flanders]