Forum Activity for @lv20human

"Coming out" to my family

Life Issues Facing Dreads

So I invited my mom to this thing on Friday and my hair was a wonderful mess. She came up to me and asked, "You're not growing your hair out into dreadlocks, are you?" I lied and told her I'm not. I feel like it's too early to tell her. On the other hand, by boyfriend is apparently very excited about my decision now and is telling our friends. It sucks that everyone else we run into thinks it's great, but the people who will never go away, my family, completely disapprove.

"Coming out" to my family

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I decided this month I would no longer brush, comb, or chemically treat my hair. I am going completely natural and I am super stoked about it. The only problem is my family - my mom's side, particularly - hates, hates, hates dreadlocks.

One of the biggest problems they have is their misconception that dreadlocks - and people with dreadlocks - are dirty. We all know this is untrue, like, 99% of the time. And I totally wash my hair (yes, I use that shampoo everyone raves about). My boyfriend, whose locks are nearing his butt, also washes his hair. But my mother has the nerve to make snide comments about him and his hair every chance she gets.

I posted a picture on my facebook showing off my wavy, uncombed hair and my mother loved it. She has seen my hair in the last week and didn't say anything about how messy it is. Eventually it's going to get long. It's going to dread. And she's going to flip her shit. And it won't just be her. It'll be everyone on her side of the family lining up to tie me down and run a comb through my hair.

How can I tell my family about this intensely personal decision when they already have horrible associations with dreadlocks? How can I expect them to accept me and respect my decision?

updated by @lv20human: 01/22/20 09:33:16AM