Big Kid

11-Year-Old Willow Smith Is Old Enough to Sport a Shaved Head

by Jacqueline Burt February 6, 2012 at 2:09 PM

Willow Smith (pre-head shave)So, 11-year-old Willow Smith shaved her head. Okay. And ... so what? Apparently there are some parents out there who think it's crazy to let an 11-year-old shave her head. And this has nothing to do with the obvious concern over Willow not being able to "whip her hair back and forth" anymore. (Sorry, I couldn't resist! I won't mention the song again.)

Look, I know how hard it is as a parent to bite your tongue when your kid wants to drastically change her appearance. I won't lie: If my 10-year-old daughter told me she wanted to shave her head, my gut instinct would probably be to say something like, "You're going to regret this! Do you have any idea how long it takes for hair to grow back?"

But I like to think I would stop myself from making such exclamations. Because parents shouldn't mess with a kid's developing personal identity.

Willow Smith shaving her head was a form of self-expression. Seriously. I know that sounds like a cliché, but it's true. Is it possible (perhaps even likely) that a week or two into having a shaved head Willow Smith will suddenly, desperately wish she never, ever shaved it to begin with?

Yes, but that's just part of the personal identity-forming process. The finding-out-what-you're-not phase. Okay, tried that look on for size ... on to the next one.

When you think about it, Jada and Will got off easy. It's not like Willow asked for piercings or a face tattoo.

Cause even though it always takes longer than you expect, hair eventually does grow back.

Would you let your 11-year-old shave her head like Willow Smith?

Image via Splash

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Filed Under: celebrity

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jacqueline Burt

has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. She is easily bored and often tired, so she requires constant entertainment to keep her awake. Dance, Monkey! Dance!

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Comments 16

Nonmember comment from Megan

February 6, 2012 at 2:31 PM

At 11 years old? Expressive colors, crazy haircuts, yes! But shaved....probably not. Not unless it was for a specific cause/awareness. I know you said parents 'shouldn't mess with kid's developing personal identity' BUT the reality is that young (elementary and middle school) children LOOK to their parents to help define their identity and want guidance in growing into who they are. There has to be a balance so that they are A. growing into who they are and B. getting wise direction they NEED to become solid in who they are. Letting them do 'whatever' in those young years to not interfere with their 'personal identity' is not providing them all their emotional growing needs, and doesn't teach them personal boundaries. I know my daughter's and shaved heads would not bring them happiness, or confidence. It comes down to knowing your kids, many young girls would feel fierce with being shaved and in that case, mom knows best, let them! If not however, mom knows best and it is okay to teach them 'No, that is not you.' This all changes as they grow though, if my (mature hopefully) 16-17 year old daughter came to me with it, it'd be a whole other talk and situation and I would let her explore that side of herself, she is a young woman!

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Nonmember comment from Christie

February 6, 2012 at 2:42 PM

I'm with you....you have to pick your battles...and if you raise them that looks don't matter you can't tell them they can't because you think it will look bad and they will regret it....they will just re-iterate to you that looks don't matter

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RhondaVeggie

February 6, 2012 at 2:57 PM

A son, probably. A daughter, maybe if she had a good reason for doing so. A daughter that already looks very masculine on the other hand? Unlikely. She already looks like a boy when she has long hair so I would have strongly advised her against cutting her hair in a masculine fashion.

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yayheadstart

February 6, 2012 at 2:57 PM

hey, their hair, their choice.

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Nonmember comment from ele4phant

February 6, 2012 at 3:19 PM

Hair grows back. Its not a tattoo, or even a piercing. If my child were to want to express her individuality, and buck the social pressure from her peers to have long flowy, "girly" hair, more power to her. If it doesn't work out, well there's always hats until it grows back out.

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Nonmember comment from wickedness

February 6, 2012 at 3:30 PM

"Because parents shouldn't mess with a kid's developing personal identity." Oh, please! I would have absolutely no problem telling my son or daughter they weren't shaving their head, under my roof. Grow a pair and BE THE PARENT. If he/she wants to walk around with a shaved head as an adult, then more power to them.

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Nonmember comment from Mrs. Clark

February 6, 2012 at 4:08 PM

Other parents can do what they want. Me personally, no way I would let my 11 year old daughter shave her head. I dont think she would be mature enough to make that decision. When I was 11, I told my mother I wanted hot pink braids. She said no, it looks ghetto. Ya know what? I'm glad she told me no because now that I'm grown, I would have been embarrassed to see an 11 year old me with hot pink braids. Now, if she was let's say 17, I would feel like I've raised her well enough that she knows what she's doing and that she had a good reason for doing it. Jmo

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mesai

February 6, 2012 at 4:15 PM

If my daughter has long hair & she decides she wants to shave it, I would let her, on one condition... She would have to donate her hair to make wigs for cancer patients. If she doesn't like it, she can be taught how to use scarfs to wrap her head, and she can wear other hats. As long as she doesn't get face piercings or tatoos on her face I would let her... Just like if she wants to use the temporary dyes to color her hair pink or purple (but just over the summer, so she won't create problems for herself at school with the dress code), I'd let her.

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zandhmom2

February 6, 2012 at 5:22 PM

I have no problem with different hair colors or my son growing his hair long but there is no way I would let my daughter shave her head. My daughter had hair to the middle of her butt and at 8 yrs old got it cut up to her shoulders and donated it to locks of love. I was fine with that but I wouldn't let her shave it all off, not that she wanted to but still NO.

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Nonmember comment from W

February 6, 2012 at 5:33 PM

She looks ugly bald. Shes no Amber Rose. Some girls depends on their hair to make them look female. She looks like her dad. Jayden is way cuter than her.

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