After making dreads/locs for many years, I noticed a trend that honestly

surprised me and I had to seriously consider the question:  should kids have locs?  I know parents want their kids to look great on social media but they have no idea what hairstylists have to go through for them to have “likes”!

First, I should say that I grew up seeing parents of the Rastafarian faith battling with teachers,

principals and the government to have their children allowed to attend schools with locked hair.  Therefore, I am used to seeing children with dreads/locs.  My issue is more with why parents want their kids to have it done.  As hairstylists, we often get adults who are sensitive and react negatively when having their hair detangled.  This is unlocked, curly, wavy or straight hair.  Imagine your clients are kids between the ages of 1 – 7 years with locked hair that was not maintained for months. 

Some of the issues that happen in this scenario are:

• The parents know the child is always terrified to do the hair but will not say unless you ask.
• There is more concern about  what the service is going to cost and not the time it will take to complete.
• Services with kids can go well or not depending on how they are feeling that day.
• Some parents only care how they will look with a cool kid and have no concern about the pain to the kid or the hairstylist.
• Parents should know that freeform hair can make them a target for bullies and ultra conservative people.

Of course, there are kids that want this hairstyle and the appointment goes fine.  These kids have parents

that are supportive and want the best for the child.  I did dreads/locs on kids in the past but after being traumatized one too many times by kids and parents, I decided to stop:  after calls from parents with babies under a year old asking for dreads/locs;  if they could add extensions or acting surprised when asked how a child who has ADHD or a behaviour problem would be able to sit quietly for the service? I made the informed decision to close that chapter of my career.

When asked “should kids have locs”,  I say it is a choice of the parent, be it for religious, fashion or practical reasons.  What I have a problem with is whether they have prepared themselves financially and mentally for what this entails.  Do not give your kids locs to get out of combing or maintaining your child’s hair or to “save money”.  If you are unable to pay to have it done regularly or your child is super sensitive, wait until the child is older. 

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books”  “Talking Hair”, Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.