[nathanbedford]

We are inclined to let the state impose questions of taste on our children when they enlist in the Marine Corps but we are not as the descendents of Concord and Lexington inclined to let the state control us in matters of personal taste in our everyday civilian lives.

There is nothing people like Mayor Bloomberg would like better than to literally control us in matters of taste-tastebuds that is. If we permit the state to intrude and tell us about our hairstyles as children what is to prevent them from dictating hairstyles to us as adults? Moreover, we would be less likely to resist these intrusions of the state because we will have "got used to it" as children.

God help us.

[gdani]

If we permit the state to intrude and tell us about our hairstyles as children what is to prevent them from dictating hairstyles to us as adults? Moreover, we would be less likely to resist these intrusions of the state because we will have "got used to it" as children.

Well said. There are many on FR who profess to be skeptical or against government intrusion into their lives but get severely weak in the knees when the government (i.e. public schools) mandates silly dress codes.

The educational system is about conformity -- sit down, be quiet, raise your hand, don't think outside the box, etc.

Wittingly or unwittingly, unreasonable school dress codes grease the skids for future conformity.

But, then, it appears there are many here who are just fine with government telling their kids how to dress.