How did your parents and family react?

Hey girls -

I was curious to know how your parents and/or other family reacted when they found out you have a hawk?
I just got my hair done 2 days ago. By the way I am 25 yrs old and live on my own with my bf, and not under my parents roof.
My grandparents are having their 55th anniversary party this weekend, and the plans were that my bf and I were going to attend it. We were going to go there with my parents.
Knowing this, I sucked it up and called my parents the night I got it done...I let them know that I have this new mohawk hairstyle, BUT that I don't plan on spiking it up and that I would wear it down around them and the family.
Their reaction? They were utterly shocked, upset, and immediately told me that I am not allowed to attend our family function this weekend! They hadn't even seen any pics of me or anything...just immediately banned me from going! I was so hurt :(
I tried calling my parents last night and that didn't get me anywhere. My mom could barely talk to me and threatened to hang up on me so we ended the call.

I wrote them a long email last night explaining everything out and sent them pics of my hair down, which I think makes a very cute short hairstyle for me. I just hope they read it and understand that I am still the same daughter I always have and a hairstyle won't change that.

I'm tempted to call my grandparents and let them know whats going on and see if my bf and I can visit them on another weekend, but I'm nervous about my grandmother. She's very judgmental just like my parents and I don't want to deal with a repeat issue..

I think as women, we have it harder when we choose to have a punked out hairstyle such as this. Especially when there are family members who are set in their ways that it isn't "ladylike or proper" for a woman to wear their hair in a mohawk style.

Anyway I was just wondering if anyone else had simular reactions as I did from their families and/or how you worked through them?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by plastastik on September 6, 2008 at 12:07pm

I've never had much problems with it. Some members of my family think I'm a bit strange, others think it's realy cool, but nobody realy gives a shit. It's my hair and I can do whatever I want with it.

Permalink Reply by pierced_punked_kitten on September 11, 2008 at 10:44pm

Well your one of the lucky ones who got blessed with understanding levelheaded parents.

Anyway...my parents got over it in 3 days and ended up having me come with them to the reunion afterall. Go figure. All my extended family loved my hair!

All is well again.

Permalink Reply by Anna on September 24, 2008 at 4:03pm

pierced_punked_kitten, I LOVE your liberty spikes.

*drools*

*waits for 'hawk to grow longer*

Permalink Reply by Tracey Anne Horry on September 19, 2008 at 1:33pm

my folks r really old fashioned n mum dint talk 2 me for a couple of days the first time i shaved my long hair off :S oopsy but i fort it was awsum... n its made me meet loadsa new interesting people

Permalink Reply by mindterror on September 21, 2008 at 2:25am

My mom was very upset when she found out. She didn't wnat to see me and she nearly threw me out. But now when it has grown out a bit she is starting too like it a little more.

Permalink Reply by Anna on September 24, 2008 at 4:01pm

I'm 29... my mother said "don't" dissaprovingly months before getting the hawk... but then said how good it looked when I got it.

Friends love it, too. They were all for the 'hawk from the start; but then, they all know me.

Honestly, in my 29 years, dozens of hairstyles and colour changes, this is the BEST I've ever had, and the one that's suited me the most. Friends and family totally agree.

I never expected such a positive reaction. If I'd have expected it, I'd have done it a decade sooner.

Yes I have a 'hawk, and yes, peoples opinions matter to me. Even though I pretend they don't.

Permalink Reply by Colleen on September 25, 2008 at 12:20am

My parents flipped. I'm 22 years old and I live at home and I walked in the house one day with a mohawk and my parents yelled at me and almost kicked me out of the house right then and there lol

Permalink Reply by Meghan on September 25, 2008 at 2:46pm

I don't think there was a whole big reaction to it. I shaved my head completely 1st and then let it grow out and cut it into a hawk, so when I shaved it and my mother first saw it she asked "Are you trying to tell me something?" because she thought I was trying to deviously tell her I was a lesbian. I didn't really notice too much reaction to it at Christmas parties or other big-extended-family get-togethers, some like it and some don't care but I'm the 3rd child afterall so they've seen all the weird hair colours, piercings, and tattoos from my older brothers already. Hair grows back yaknow?

Permalink Reply by Devotchka Krovvy on October 5, 2008 at 1:07pm

Well, my mom took me and paid for me to get it done. but I've always been the crazy and weird one in my family, so nobody was exactly surprised. I mean, back in the day I used to show up to a family holiday party wearing lime green chained pants. But my family is more accepting of it that my old friends are.

Permalink Reply by Amethy Ziggy on October 6, 2008 at 2:18pm

My mom was the one to give me my mohawk, I was 15 and just moved in with her. My dad doesn't know at all. I think my step mom and grandfather both had the biggest problem. Seeing as my step-mom labeled me "freak" and grandfather just tells my mom how much he disaproves.

Permalink Reply by Becki on October 14, 2008 at 12:26pm

i had short hair before, i think that was more of a shock (going from past the shoulder length) to having it shaved. i was lucky though, my mum tried to put it off but gave in and clipped the sides for me. i've never been seen as 'normal' whatever that is, so a hawk is an extension of me now, i like the fact it makes me taller.

i don't see why other people should have issues over it, our hair is connected to our heads, not theirs.

anyway..peace out

Permalink Reply by Freaky_Ferret on October 14, 2008 at 9:14pm

My mom told me that it's the ugliest hair style for a girl, my little brother said "OMG, THAT'S SO COOL!". My dad doesn't know yet and probably won't notice till I spike it up. He doesn't pay attention enough to know a difference.