A 2016 article published on StraitsTimes.com revealed that Singapore parents with long-haired boys don’t mind the gender confusion that it may cause. One mother, Arpana Vedi, says that strangers ask about her toddler all the time. They can’t tell if her child is a boy or a girl because of the curly, long locks. Mrs. Vedi herself likes the look; to her, it gives her son a unique style that is all his own. However, she has noticed a social stigma associated with her son’s hair length.

A Social Norm

Many men in Singapore’s corporate realm keep their hair neat and short. It’s considered neat and professional, in addition to being a part of gender identity. But Mrs. Vedi and others like her wonder why this gender-defining hairstyle norm needs to extend to children. Richard Loh, a middle-aged music instructor, allows his son to enjoy shoulder-length hair instead of the more typical short cut. Mr. Loh himself had long hair when he was younger, and he does not see it as a problem on any level.

The Evidence of Gender Stereotyping

It was reported that some members of society may disagree with Mr. Loh, however. Not long ago, a preschool teacher in Singapore humiliated a six-year-old in her class, forcing him to wear a girl’s hair clip because of the length of his locks. Many parents who heard about the incident were enraged at this incident and decried this type of punishment as excessively cruel and supportive of gender stereotyping.

A Risk of Gender Dysphoria?

Although there may be no intrinsic issue with a boy having long hair, some parents worry that allowing a boy to grow his hair long could be detrimental to his emotional or mental health, simply because of the way that others react. One mother claims that people constantly call her son a girl and treat him as one, simply because of the hair length. Eventually, this kind of mistaken reference could be confusing to the child.

A leading psychiatrist in Singapore, reassures parents that the social misunderstanding is unlikely to confuse a child about gender. If a child does appear to be confused, it is most likely because he or she was already prone to a condition called gender dysphoria. Having long hair does not facilitate the condition.

The Possibility of Bullying

Unfortunately, having long hair may make a boy more susceptible to bullying at pre-school; and bullying could have an effect on mental health if it goes on unchecked for a long period of time. However, such conflict could also provide opportunities for teachers to introduce concepts related to tolerance, gender equality, and kindness.

Caring for a Child’s Mental Health

Many parents choose the traditional, easy-care route and opt for short hair on their sons, while others give their little boys the freedom to grow their hair long. Either way, if a parent suspects that their child’s mental state is suffering due to bullying or other causes, it may be time to consider paying a visit to the professionals.

At Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic, our goal is to promote excellent mental health in Singapore. We are happy to help your young ones sort through their negative emotions and restore positive energy to their lives.

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Source: Straits Times, August 21, 2016