By Black Men In America.com Staff
Is giving your kid a “George Jefferson” or “Benjamin Button” old man haircut good a deterrent to bad behavior or psychologically damaging? Atlanta Barber Russell Frederick says he tested the unique disciplinary technique on his own son, Rushawn, last fall, and his grades “dramatically skyrocketed” after his old-man haircut. Three days a week, parents can take their misbehaving kids to A-1 Kutz and ask for the “Benjamin Button Special,” which Russell Frederick and his team of barbers are offering — free of charge — to parents who want to try a novel form of discipline.
But you don’t have to be bad to get a free haircut. Frederick runs a family-friendly establishment. Kids can play free video games onsite and top students who bring their honor roll report cards get free haircuts.
As for the potential negative impact such shaming tactics could have on a child’s long-term emotional development, Frederick isn’t convinced. “We’re raising a soft generation,” he said. “You can’t whoop them, then you wonder why these kids [are] running out here … getting shot by the police. Everybody sees that incident and says it starts at home. Well, how can it start at home when you won’t even let these parents discipline their kids and raise their kids properly?”
What do you think? Is this good or bad for young black boys?
Portions of this report came from The Washington Post and Creative Loafing of Atlanta.
we have to start somewhere our children are definitely out of control.