I am a student at Manchester High School in Manchester, Ohio. Many students like myself feel that we lack the freedom to express ourselves through our appearance, specifically through our hair. Many of us find it unfair that we cannot dye our hair unnatural colors, especially because the surrounding schools in the county allow it, yet Manchester does not. And while I understand that bright hair colors can be considered a distraction, modern society has normalized unnatural hair colors and it has become a very common way for teenagers to express themselves safely. I have spoken to students that go to the surrounding schools (Specifically North Adams and West Union) and from what I have been told, allowing dyed hair in the schools has caused no issues and has not been a distraction to students. 

Self-expression contributes significantly to personal development, confidence, and identity during our formative years.Studies have shown that allowing students to express themselves through their appearance, such as hair color, can lead to more engaged and happier students. For example, a report by the American Psychological Association highlights positive correlations between self-expression and academic performance. Hair dye is a temporary and reversible form of expression, unlike other forms of self-expression that aren’t as easy to change. Most schools in the county – and in the country – allow the freedom for students to dye their hair.

We are not asking for the abolishment of the entire dress code, just a reconsideration of certain rules that are overly rigid and outdated. We strongly believe that this small change will make a very positive impact at Manchester, fostering a more inclusive and diverse community. We respectfully urge the staff at Manchester to consider this simple yet impactful change and acknowledge that it would make a lot of students feel more welcome and included on the campus.