My (very recently turned) 12-year-old announced that she would like a mohawk several weeks ago. Now, while I have retarded the growth of that idea for a time, I have no doubt it will rear its ugly head again before too long.
Right now everything is “because Grunge”. It’s a little irritating when the reason for not brushing ones hair and attempting to leave for school in the AM with a rat nest at the base of your neck is “because Grunge”, or the fact that you don’t make your bed, do the dishes or put away your clothes. All “because Grunge”.
I feel that while ‘Grunge’ is being taken advantage of here, my Daughter is merely trying to express her love for music in whatever form she is able at this point. (Failing the haircut, we may opt for blue hair?) This takes us as far as requests for trips to thrift stores for “flannel” clothing items in order that we are able to replicate the look of a young ‘Vedder’ or ‘Cobain’.
It has been 3 years since I saw my beautiful girl wear much other than skate shoes, hoodies, band Tees and jeans or oversized boys shorts. It drives me crazy, but she is (always has been) passionate about everything. She is a talented musician and the self-expression doesn’t end in her ability to play, it continues into her look, her opinion and her peer group. It is her lifestyle and as a person that shares the love (although not the talent to play) of music and as a person who was once pierced and coloured, back combed and crimped her hair, wore ridiculous amounts of make-up and worshipped men with longer hair and a penchant for tight lycra and nail polish, I know the look will probably not last, but the love for music will remain, probably grow and evolve into something spectacular. This child has headphones attached 24/7!
Lady, if all you have to show for your time on earth is a love of Delia Smith recipes (however great her Beef Wellington may be) and an ability to press a perfect line into the front of your beige cargo pants, maybe you should turn on the radio or attend the next Metallica gig. Loosen up and shake your booty.
I took my Mom to a Def Leppard gig at the age of 46 (ish). The first time ever that she had been to a live gig and she was hooked. She didn’t pass judgement on the way people looked, she didn’t turn into a monster and she made a great many friends.
The term, “don’t judge a book by its cover” is absolutely the right thing for me to say right now. I have endured the looks and the comments, my friends have endured beatings and abuse, but it did not deter us, it made us stronger, better people. It allowed us a voice and an opinion, it made us respect others in their thoughts and opinions and it provided us with strong bonds of friendship for life. That to me does not seem to be a bad result.
Live a little and judge others less! If a persons look and attitude, desire and interest is having no adverse effect on others, then where is the harm.
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