Texas: US students go to court because long hair is prohibited

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Headquarters of the »Magnolia« school district

Photo: Google Street View

Long hair?

Doesn't work at all.

At least if you're a boy and go to school in the Magnolia school district in Texas.

Seven students are now defending themselves against this rule in court, supported by the civil rights organization ACLU.

It is reported by various newspapers such as the Texas Tribune and the Washington Post.

Among the plaintiffs are six boys between the ages of 7 and 17 and an 11-year-old child who does not want to be assigned to any gender.

The students argue that the ban, which only applies to boys, is based on gender stereotypes and is against the constitution.

The school district with around 13,000 students is about 60 kilometers from Houston.

Hair shouldn't reach over the ear

The district handbook states that boys' hair must not reach over the ear or hang in the eyes.

It is also not allowed to tie the hair up.

Some of the plaintiffs are said to have been suspended from classes for several days and in some cases for weeks because they did not want their hair cut.

As a result, three students have since deregistered from the district.

The process is preceded by months of dispute between students, parents and school administrators.

An ACLU attorney says the school district has received several warnings that the prohibition on long hair denies students the right to non-discriminatory education.

A spokeswoman for the district defends the directive in the Washington Post.

Half of the school districts in Texas have similar requirements and also differentiate between girls and boys.

However, the school district wants to check whether, in the future, requests for exemption based on religious practice or gender identity will be possible.

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