Shaving toddlers heads

My DH was born in 1932 and he has a large photo of him aged about 18 months with long golden curls.I can remember his mother saying he had come first in a bonny baby show because of his lovely long curls, and the photo was the prize!
He is very embarrassed about this now and hates mentioning it.He is now almost bald of course.

I think it may have been the norm in many cultures including England until a few decades ago. Certainly both my brothers (1930s babies) had long locks until their hair was cut, at about the age of 2-3 I think, to 'strengthen it'.

There's a Jewish tradition of haircuts for boys on their 3rd birthday. Called "upsherin."
If this link doesn't come out it's from Google:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3068/jewish/A-Jewish-Boys-First-Haircut.htm

I have a lovely photo of my brother aged 2 with long blond curls (1930s) England.

I remember back in the fifties we had a German family living in our house. The son had red hair, long and curly, but his mother would not have it cut until he was ready to go to school. She said that was tradition where she came from.

I'd be interested to know your daughter-in-law's answer when you ask her.

My feeling is that it's a tradition from her culture. The end of babyhood to the start of boyhood - or something like that.

Many Eastern cultures do shave heads around 2 its normal to them so why should we question it I wonder if they question some of our practices like how the Catholics in Ireland spend thousands on confirmation dresses and events at around 8years ...however if its happening in your own family out of the blue why not ask in a pleasant generous non critical way Can't you ask your son if not your DiL ??

I had a friend who had her baby boy's very lovely head of thick hair shaved off. From what she said I gathered it was a custom and was supposed to make the hair grow back thicker. Sounded like an old wives' tale to me.

A few years ago I was at my hairdressers when a young mother brought in her baby and asked her to shave her head. My hairdresser was furious and said she would do no such thing, she thought it was probably part of their culture but they always refused.

I'm not keen on any sort of custom or religious rite that people might feel they should conform to. Having said that, I don't see that shaving a child's head is abusive and there are more important issues to get upset about.

Some Indian people shave the heads of their little ones and takenthem toma shrine forma blessing. I think it is symbolic of leaving babyhood behind. I don't like it personally

I know that some cultures shave the young child's head to encourage strong hair growth.

Apparently it is traditional in parts of Eastern Europe

Have sent you a privare message Mil09

Well, perhaps sometimes when relationships are rocky due to separation ...it seems wise to attempt to maintain a relationship rather than appear judgemental
Thought I would fact find and then try and find the right moment to ask..

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

That's a hit harsh, gillybob.

absent. I think the boys were the ones who didn't really care. Their poor mum was incandescent and so was the bride.

My dad shaved my head when I was around 5. Apparently it was my punishment for not sitting still at the hairdressers. I have never gotten over it!

Your daughter in law has shaved her two year old's head, and you haven't asked why?!!!

Shall I say the obvious? ( It would make more sense than asking us)

Bit tough on the little boys though merlot.

A friend of mine's ex SIL was not invited to a family wedding where the two small grandsons were due to be pageboys. He was so peeved he took them off and got their heads shaved a week before the wedding. It really did spoil the photos.

A classic example of 'Don't get mad, get even'

Like... is this a new fashion?

Why not ask her? - in a non-critical way of course.

Yes, I wondered if it was an over reaction to head lice.