The '80s-inspired hair trend that's getting banned in schools
Fair enough or OTT?
Here at MFM HQ, we've become pretty used to stories about things being banned from schools: homework, flapjacks, red ink to name just a few.
And it seems the latest thing to come under scrutiny from teachers, according to a BBC feature, are 'JoJo' bows - those giant hair clips that have become really popular among a certain age group and that you can get in a seemingly never-ending supply of colours at stores like Claire's Accessories.
They've become popular in part thanks to social media star Jo Jo Siwa, who's rarely seen without one.
The bows aren't cheap - they cost around £8 to £10 - and girls (possibly some boys, too) tend to wear them adorning a bun or pony tail. And they can be really BIG - so much so some teachers think they're a distraction.
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But when it comes to whether or not they should be banned - opinion seems to be split 50/50.
Mum Francesca de Franco of the Parent Forum says:
"They're trickier to ban if they're in school colours, but some of these bows are absolutely GIGANTIC.
"My daughter's school hasn't banned them yet but it had similar problems with Pokemon cards, when the children began swapping them and some went missing."
A science teacher tweeted on the topic saying that "uniform is important... they shouldn't be worn in school especially if they aren't school colours!"
Others though, don't see the issue. One mum on Facebook said the ban was "sad", adding:
"Really, what's the problem? Next it'll be bob cuts for girls and skin head boys."
Apparently, Claire's stores are now stocking the bows in more sombre 'school' colours as well as the rainbow versions - but whether this will be enough for certain headteachers to lift the ban, only time will tell.
What do you think?
Are these bows popular in your little one's school? Do you think the kids should be allowed to wear them - or do you agree with the ban?
Or maybe you think they're OK to wear as long as they're in the school colours? Tell us in the comments below or over on Facebook.
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Authors
Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015
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