*Facepalm*
This is pure and utter BS. Schoolpolicy is not allowed to dictate hair ethiquette.

On one hand, I don't believe that someone's "religious" beliefs should grant anyone special consideration or allow them to be waived from following the laws, regulations, and rules of the land. A "religious" preference shouldn't be given any more leeway than one's personal preference.

That being said, there is no reason that the school should say that a student's hair must be cut a certain way unless they can show that the student's haircut creates a problem, is a distraction, or similar.

I don't believe such is the case here, so not only should the kid not have to cut his hair, but none of the other students should have to cut their hair provided their choice of haircut is a detriment to the learning environment.

What would happen if a girl wanted to go "Sinead O'Connor"? Granted this is kindergarten, but it could happen. A shame that this little kid has to deal with this crap. I agree with 2many. Long braided hair doesn't seem to be any distraction, although if it was a purple and green mohawk, that might be.

On a personal note, my 2-year-old son has that exact same shirt!

I remember a kid from high school (didn't know him, wasn't in any of the same classes, just saw him in the halls) who I assume had to sit in the back of all his classes. He had a spiked mohawk that, quite literally, would cause anyone sitting behind him to have trouble seeing the blackboard. It was at least two feet tall.

And this was in a nice, suburban high school.

What utter crap!

I guess these children are receiving a good lesson on intolerance!

It's a public school. They shouldn't be able to dictate how the boys (and girls) wear their hair. Now, if it was a private or Parochial school I could see the rule being okay.

Let the boy keep his hair. Unless it gives him the power to shoot lasers out of his eyes or something, there is no harm in it. I can see a school banning certain types of clothing (offensive words on them, obvious gang related clothing, etc) but to ban long hair on boys? They is sexist. Its ok for girls but not boys? Ban it for all or dont ban it at all.

It took me a second to try and figure how this falls under religion, but listening to the father it is more tradition than religion. The boy's hair is longer than his fathers. You can't tell me that the Dad never got his hair cut.

A lot of times, native americans have a ritual where the hair isnt cut until a certain age, or at a certain time. That may be the case. Or, the father may have done some research later in life and decided to live more in line with his heritage. He may not have been raised according to his heritage. It happens quite often. Regardless, I dont think the school should ban long hair on boys. It is not a distraction, and it is sexist, in my opinion.

In some tribes the hair is only cut as a sign of mourning for a lost loved one.

So there are many reasons for the dad to have shorter hair than the boy, but regardless of that, it still shouldnt be an issue with the school if the boy has long hair. As long as it is kept clean. He keeps it in braids, so its not like his hair would be getting in anyones face or anything. But, that still leads to why it is OK for girls and not boys.

I was adopted off a reservation in 1971. After a few years I started in American schools and my new parents did the preemptive hair cut. It broke my heart and the memory of being forced to kneel and have my hair cut off still lingers. I didn't see it coming. I went on to server in the US Armed forces for two decades, I have an excellent career with GE now and afer 30 some years of short hair and really short military hair I just can't do it long anymore. I gave my sons thier choice, one has it long one cut his. It's thier choice. It's a shame we are still dealing with these issues three decades later...we just need more time I guess. On a side note great to see all the Plimers supportive comments though. I don't say much but of all the sites I visit this one has such a positive vibe I wasn't worried at all when I clicked to read the comments and I wasn't dissappointed. Different views but as is usaully the case here, good conversation and down to earth comments.

I know I, (and probably other Plimates) would love to hear your views and opinions more often. I hope you come around to comment more often, eh?

You must realize that not the smallest part of the reason for the founding of the United States was so that the laws, regulations, and rules of the land do not inhibit someone's religious beliefs.

Believe me, I am not a religious person, but I respect other people's want and need to be a part of a religion.

As they don't have religious texts why don't they bring in a tribal medicine man or shaman to explain to the principal.