August 03, 2022

Hong Kong hairstyle codes point to deeper gender discrimination

topic:	Discrimination
located:	Hong Kong
editor:	Sun Ma

Does a teenage female with long hair look unkempt? Certainly not. But male students are not allowed to wear long hair in Hong Kong schools since teachers think they are “too sweaty.” In this modern cosmopolitan city where equal rights have been advocated for over 20 years, men’s appearances are still restricted by traditional culture.

For example, Nathan Lam, a 17-year-old male secondary school student in Hong Kong filed a complaint of sexual discrimination to the city’s equality watchdog last month against his school, which allegedly forced him to cut his long hair by threatening restrictions from school activities. 

In his video posted on Instagram, he rebutted arguments that banning male students from having long hair is to protect the reputation of the school. “A teacher once told me that if the school receives complaints about long hair from people outside, it would be embarrassing,” he said. “But regarding educational values, I don’t think the schools should pay attention to these comments. The sexual stereotype in society makes people think male students with long hair is bad, but this is not true.”

He also argued that the school deems male students with long hair unkempt, which is biassed. “Students clean themselves everyday. It is ridiculous to link untidiness with long hair, especially when many females have long hair as well.” He criticised that the school is in breach of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance and his purpose of speaking out is to abolish the outdated rule.

In the view of conservatives in the city, long hair on men is a sign of rebellion and disobedience, if not the mark of a gangster, a judgement that applies even to the adult world. The “formal” dress code for men has always been the old-fashioned short hair, whereas women are free from any biases to dress their hairstyle.

Choi Yuk-lin, the Secretary for Education, did not respond to questions from the media on whether the ban amounts to sexual discrimination, but stressed that the School Administration Guide of Education Bureau has clear guidelines for schools.

According to the School Administration Guide, schools should be inclusive and avoid gender stereotypes in making school rules, and equality between men and women must not be compromised. Yet, there is a specific guideline to regulate male students’ hair which suggests that long hair should be tied in order to maintain health and safety. The guide designates that showing discrimination in students’ sex is an example of teacher misconduct.

Nonetheless, lawmaker Tang Fei, a school principal and vice chairman of the Hong Kong Federation Of Education Workers, said in a radio program that the ban is very common in Hong Kong and is not considered sexual discrimination. When asked if the society should explore the balance between different perspectives, he said no discussion on the matter is needed. He stressed that if Nathan's complaint is confirmed, it would definitely bring major shock to the education sector.

School is the first stage of society. Only when the education sector can break free from gender stereotypes will the future of Hong Kong be liberal and genuinely cosmopolitan.

Photo by Guilherme Petri

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