CCSS

R.1, R.2, W.2, W.4, W.7

Hey Boys, Get a Haircut!

In the 1960s, having the wrong hairstyle could get you kicked out of school.

March 2019

By Justin O’Neill

Principal Luther A. Howard was on the hunt for a menace at his school. What was the dangerous problem?

No one was picking fights. They weren’t hassling teachers either. Principal Howard was looking for one thing and one thing only: long hair.

The boys of Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, Connecticut, had been given a warning. They were told to get a haircut by January 29, 1968. If they came to school with long hair, Principal Howard would punish them.

And he wasn’t kidding. Howard sent home more than 50 students that day.

“Hair must be away from the eyes and away from the collar line,” Principal Howard explained. “Hair must be neat (not bushy) around the ears.”

Principal Luther A. Howard was on the hunt for a menace at his school. What was the problem?

No one was picking fights. No one was treating teachers badly. Howard was looking for just one thing: long hair.

The boys of Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, Connecticut, had been warned. They were told to get a haircut by January 29, 1968. If they came to school with long hair, they would be punished.

Howard wasn’t kidding. He sent more than 50 students home that day.

“Hair must be away from the eyes and away from the collar line,” Principal Howard explained. “Hair must be neat (not bushy) around the ears.”

Principal Luther A. Howard was on the hunt for a menace at his school. What was the dangerous problem?

No one was picking fights or hassling teachers. Principal Howard was looking for one thing and one thing only: long hair.

The boys of Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, Connecticut, had been given a warning. They were told to get a haircut by January 29, 1968. If they arrived at school with long hair, they would face serious consequences.

Principal Howard wasn’t kidding. He sent home more than 50 students that day.

“Hair must be away from the eyes and away from the collar line,” Principal Howard explained. “Hair must be neat (not bushy) around the ears.”

Fighting for Change

You might be surprised that boys were sent home from school for having long hair. But at the time, short hair showed good grooming and good manners. Long hair seemed messy and rude.

To some adults, long hair was just one more way that teenagers were starting to stir up trouble. In the late 1960s, many young people wanted to see change in America. They were calling for an end to the Vietnam War. They were fighting for more rights for women and African Americans.

These teenagers didn’t always agree with adults. And they didn’t want to look like them either. Music stars like the Beatles had long hair hanging in their faces. This inspired kids to try new looks.

One big trend was hippie fashion. Teens loved tie-dye, sandals, bell-bottom pants—and of course, long hair.

It might seem strange that boys were sent home from school for having long hair. But at the time, short hair was seen as neat and polite. Long hair was seen as messy and rude.

To some adults, long hair was just one more way that teens were causing trouble. In the late 1960s, many teens wanted to see change in America. They were calling for an end to the Vietnam War. They were fighting for more rights for women and African Americans.

These teens didn’t always agree with adults. And they didn’t want to look like them. Music stars like the Beatles had long hair. This made teens want to try new looks.

One big trend was hippie fashion. Teens loved tie-dye, sandals, bell-bottom pants—and long hair.

You might find it surprising that boys were sent home from school for having long hair. But at the time, short hair showed good grooming and manners, and long hair was considered sloppy and rude.

Some adults regarded long hair as just another way that teenagers were starting to stir up trouble. In the late 1960s, many young people wanted to see change in America. They were calling for an end to the Vietnam War. They were also fighting for more rights for women and African Americans.

These teenagers didn’t always agree with adults—and they didn’t want to look like them either. Music stars like the Beatles had long hair hanging in their faces, and these hairstyles inspired kids to try new looks.

One major trend was hippie fashion, which included tie-dye, sandals, bell-bottom pants—and of course, long hair.

A Big Debate

At Brien McMahon High, the rules about long hair started a fierce debate. Some parents supported the boys. They showed up at the school with signs saying, “It’s not the hair on top but the mind beneath.”

Eventually, most boys gave in and got their hair trimmed. Others refused. A few even took the issue to court. In the end, they lost.

And Norwalk wasn’t the only town in America to fight over hair. More than 100 court cases about hair were filed during this time period.

Going to court over your hair may seem crazy. But these teens weren’t just fighting to wear a certain hairstyle. They were fighting for the freedom to be themselves.

And if you’re a boy and your hair touches your ears—you can thank them.

At Brien McMahon High, the ban on long hair started a debate. Some parents supported the boys. They came to the school with signs saying, “It’s not the hair on top but the mind beneath.”

Over time, most boys gave in and got haircuts. Others refused. A few even took the issue to court. But they lost.

And the fight wasn’t only in Norwalk. More than 100 court cases about hair were filed around this time.

Going to court over your hair may seem crazy. But these teens wanted more than just long hair. They wanted the freedom to be themselves.

And if you’re a boy and your hair touches your ears, you can thank them

At Brien McMahon High, the rules about hair length started a fierce debate. Some parents supported the boys and showed up at the school carrying signs that read, “It’s not the hair on top but the mind beneath.”

Eventually, most boys gave in and got haircuts. Others refused, and a few even took the issue to court. In the end, they lost.

And Norwalk wasn’t the only town in America to fight over hair. More than 100 court cases about hair were filed during this time period.

Going to court over your hair might seem crazy, but these teenagers weren’t just fighting to wear a particular hairstyle. They were fighting for the freedom to be themselves.

And if you’re a boy and your hair touches your ears—you can thank them.