YOUR VIEW: Why are girls who shave their heads to raise funds being punished for their good intentions?
We asked digital strategist Pat Law for her views on the St Margaret Secondary School case where the school's principal asked students who shaved bald at the Hair for Hope event to wear wigs. This was after Law came out strongly against the principal's actions on Instagram and Facebook.
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I recognize and respect that education institutes such as St Margaret’s Secondary School will naturally have rules set in place that foster the right values and etiquette in both teenage boys and girls alike. What I found appalling was St Margaret’s Secondary School’s principal, Mrs Marion Tan’s, utter lack of context and compassion for the 3 girls who shaved their heads to raise funds for the Child’s Cancer Foundation.
These girls did not shave their heads to make a fashion statement. At an age where these girls are possibly the most physically insecure, they chose to make a societal statement on behalf of children with cancer – that it is perfectly fine to be bald.
Tell me that action is not the grace and bravery of a woman?
I am personally a supporter for strict discipline of a student for the right reasons, but surely these girls should not have been punished for their good intentions?
As the principal of a secondary school that promotes for “caring young ladies who will serve God, the Country and the Community”, Mrs Marion Tan is of power to make a difference in young girls’ lives.
These young girls clearly lived up to the school’s value of showing care so what I cannot understand is, which part of the school’s values talks about the “turnout as a young lady” because she gave her hair up to promote acceptance and empathy.
Separately, I believe it is imperative that an influential personality in today’s Youth should always keep herself up to date to what makes etiquette in a modern woman. There is no point in education if a woman’s rights to her own appearance for the greater good are governed by that of another person’s opinion – male or female.
Pat Law
Digital Strategist
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