Mom Tells School: Let My Son Wear Makeup!

Mom Tells School: Let My Son Wear Makeup!

Friday, September 26, 2008

She vows to fight for his right to wear eyeliner.

Yesterday in Moms Are Talking About, we told you about 13-year-old Matt Allsup, a Goth eighth grader who was told by school administrators to take off off his black eyeliner and black lipstick -- or else. He and his mother vow to fight the school's ban on his black makeup and plan to hire an attorney to take the issue to court.

Here's more of what Matt's mom, Mindy Ball, has to say:

"They're gender stereotyping. He's being sexually discriminated against. Nowhere in the rules does it say that males can't wear make-up" she says.

"When I spoke to the principal," Ball explains, "she told me it was distracting because of the black makeup and I said, 'Well, I'll get him pink,' and she said 'no, because he's a male, he's not allowed to wear it, the public don't accept males wearing makeup.'"

"I don't think it's fair if he has to take his make-up off," she concludes. "If that's the case, I think every student in the district should have to take theirs off."

What do you think?

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6 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

I think the school should let this kid do it. Will he get harassed at school? Of course he will. And it is the kids who do the harassing who should be punished. Jr. High is all about figuring out who you are as a person and expressing yourself. Hey maybe it’s just a phase and after a month or two he’ll move onto something else like paying guitar or drawing or long hair or drawing fake tattoos on himself. Either way who is still doing today what they did when they were 13? If they don’t make a big deal out of it then he will get through the phase that much faster.

- mom

Posted 09/26/08 04:31 PM

If he wants to express himself, as long as it doesn’t distract the other kids from learning, he should be allowed to do it.

- Charles

Posted 09/26/08 05:25 PM

Part of the problem with kids today is there is no respect for those in authority. If the principle asks him to take off his make up then he should, out of respect for the position. If his mom has an issue there is a better way to handle it, then a lawsuit which will effect many people.

- Lee

Posted 09/26/08 06:52 PM

Let the boy wear make-up. Let him express himself. If their is a ban on make-up for boys, then their should be one for girls too. This is not 1950!! It is not like he is streaking. What can a little make-up hurt? I can’t stand closed-minded people.

- Melissa

Posted 09/27/08 09:45 AM

There are some things that are cause for suspension: bad attitudes, poor grades, fights, drugs, rude behavior, and of course being disrespectful. Educators need to learn to pick their battles with kids more wisely. This boy was not being disrespectful by wearing makeup, he was just expressing himself. By suspending him the school administrators have forced their personal beliefs on him. It WAS NOT school policy that boys cannot wear makeup therefore there should have been no discussion about it.

- ak mom

Posted 09/28/08 03:57 PM

I totally agree, this is a battle that needs to be won. There are some seriously damaging gender stereotypes being thrown (not to mention illogical ones) and they need to stop right now. Thankfully our society is definately moving in the correct direction with Adam Lambert and all. I wish this family the best of luck in fighting prejudice and expressing human sensuality!

- Jeremy

Posted 06/22/09 08:15 AM