Should my 16-year-old daughter really have to shave her legs just so she can be on the track team?

Question

My 16-year-old daughter gave me an alarming report last night when she told me that her track coach told her she must shave her legs or she will not be able to be on the track team this fall. My daughter loves having the natural look and does not want to have to change her ways and spend extra time shaving her legs. The coach told her that it will be very distracting to her fellow runners and the audience in the stands. I do not see any reason why this would be distractful. Should we fight this with the school board or take it to an even higher level?

Answer 1

Take the proper steps.  Ask for a meeting with the coach and the principal!  If that goes nowhere, hit up the school board.  This sounds like a little discrimination going on and it is uncalled for.  Make sure that the boys aren't required to shave their legs!

Answer 2

Yes you should go to the school board that is wrong. I would take it up with them tomorrow.

Answer 3

Ha ha ha that is insane. It's hair for christ sakes. Who cares whether or not she chooses to shave it or not. Maybe people should take a step back and take a look at themselves. Obviously this coach has nothing better to do....I would be concerned if this person was teaching my child. Bet your *** I'd be taking this to the school board. It's discrimination.

Answer 4

if you think about it for a second , her coach is probably trying to protector her from the other kids who are going to see her legs  then they might start laughing at her . i mean she is in high school and tenns can be cruel

Answer 5

I'm not sure why he said it would be distracting except most teens don't have hairy legs... I think he just wants her to shave because it makes you run faster. Even when I was on a swim team they would tell you to shave because it can make you be split seconds faster. It's all about aerodynamics.

Answer 6

Honestly, it's none of the coach's buisness.

But, i don't think it'd hurt if she just shaved her legs.

Of course you can go to the school board, but if they don't do anything for it.

Just ask your daughter if it's such a big deal to shave.

Answer 7

They should not be telling her that. They don't have the right to say that she cant be on the track team just because she doesnt shave her legs. Most girls start shaving their legs at 12 yrs or so, so i am surprised to hear of a 16 year old. Anyways you could fight it you have maybe a 5050 chance of winning.

you can ALWAYS bring it to the school board

Answer 8

I think that is really, really stupid and rude of the coach.  

I think that if you took it up with the borad you would win... However, ask your daughter to think about it.  Which would she prefer: Keeping her leg hair and possibly be embarassed about the fight, or shave.  I'm not trying to belittle the problem at all, that's just what it comes to.

Either way, I suggest you don't do a thing without consulting your daughter.  Let the next move be up to her.

Answer 9

Yeah fight it. She is a minor who wants to be on the school track team. Whats coaches problem? I don't think a coach can call a shot like that regardless of so-called improvement in performance. Since when kids have to succumb to something so superficial? Just because the majority of teenage girls do things of that nature does not mean every teenage girl does it, should do it or have to do it.

Answer 10

yes, you should because that's ridiculous and rude!

Answer 11

What a rough situation. Poor girl to even have to make one. If you go to the school board or higher your daughter will be 'that girl' who refusd to shave he legs. She could be alienaed and teased...it could make her school years really tough if you fight this. On the other hand, if being on the team is really worth it she should shave so she can be on the team. If it's not worth it maybe she should find another elective to take. As a side note, as a former teacher myself I find it ridiculous that the coach has told her she needs to do this. I don't see it as distracting and I don't see how people in the stands could see her leg hair. Coach has really stepped out of bounds. I just don't know if it's worth it to fight and risk her being alienated in these years that are so important. I wish you both well with your choice.

Answer 12

i think it would be embarassing for her to fight it with the school board. But you are right, she shouldnt have to but just  let her do what she has to do.

and she is not embarassed, go for it.

Answer 13

Shaving her legs is her personal decision and I don't think they should be able to tell her she has to! It's like someone saying you have to pluck your eyebrows or cut your hair. That's messed up of the school.

Answer 14

Our school has a rule that football players must have very short haircuts, so no hair extends past their helmets.  One family decided that this infringed upon their son's rights, and has made a big stink about it with the school board.  Most people in town think the parents are being ridiculous, just stirring things up for the sake of a fight.  The hair rule is part of the athlete contract that the players sign when joining the team.  If he doesn't like the rules, then he shouldn't have joined the team.

If shaving your legs is a written rule of your daughter's track team, then I think she should have to have to follow the rules just like everyone else.  However, it doesn't sound like this is something that's down in writing.  And I do agree... there doesn't seem to be any reason that she'd need to shave her legs.  Perhaps the coach thinks he's "helping" her, because maybe some of the other kids have made fun of her for it.  But if it doesn't bother your daughter, then it shouldn't bother the coach.

If there's nothing in the rules required shaved legs, then yes, I think I would fight it, because it sounds like the coach is pushing his own tastes and ideals on your daughter.  But be prepared.  There will probably be people who will think you're making a big deal over nothing.  And since, in our culture, it's expected for women to shave their legs, there will be some people who agree with the coach.  As people have already said, it will bring a lot of negative attention on your daughter.  But if having the "natural look" is more important to you and your daughter than avoiding scorn and ridicule, then go ahead and fight it!

Answer 15

Yes! If she goes to a public school then, Yes! Private School will be a little harder, I go to a private school and basically what they say goes. You might win, 50/50. Public School you can probably fight and win, pretty easily. Good Luck!

Check Out this question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 16

It's the same with swimming teams, but those aren't the reasons. The reasons he gives sounds like he's a pervert who like pretty, innocent looking legs. The real reason is because it improves aerodynamicy in teams where split-seconds count. So there is a good reason, but the ones he gave you aren't.

Answer 17

Why in the world is she not already shaving?  Any girl that I have ever known started shaving by age 11.

Answer 18

Teens that age shave their legs.  There really is not many who dont.  It will be distractful for most teens.  Think about it, they are not used to seeing hairy legs on a teen.  And when/if they see it then they will prob want to look at it, meaning they wont pay attention to what they should be doing.  If its a school rule, the school board will not do anything about it.  As for a higher level, I think it will be a waste of time for you to try to fight it.  By the time you get a court date the school year will be over.

Answer 19

I don't see how shaving her legs is anyone's decision but hers. I was never into the sports though.

Answer 20

if ur doaughter doesnt mmind being embarrassed by fighting it and getting publicity about it go for it... but kids can be cruel so be ware

Answer 21

It may be against what shes used to, but its a sport. If you wanna be on swim team you gotta shave EVERYWHERE, like every few days, so shaving your legs shouldn't be that big of a deal.