Dreadlocks

[PauperRN]

Here we are in 2015, and as much as we all agree that this question might repeat itself over and over, it's in essence a comparison of the nursing environment then( could be last year and the years before) and now- 2015. So the question is, how is dreadlocks issue in nursing at the moment? Esp. In regards to getting a job, or working in the hospital sensitive areas like ICU? Is the environment more liberal now compared to yester years? Or is it still the same? Does having dreadlocks in nursing a big no no for a male regardless of the skin color? Does even skin color matter?

[фpigeongangф]

Yeah main. You think the majority of people are going to understand?no they are going to think you smoke herb and live the rasta lifestyle. Many times people think how you present yourself is how you represent your lifestyle and beliefs and all that.

[фpigeongangф]

Hahahaha good point fruitsucker

[Red Kryptonite]

Many times people think how you present yourself is how you represent your lifestyle and beliefs and all that.

That's because it almost always is. I think the post above yours is outstanding.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Thanks guys, this thread has been educational for me - crusty ol (caucasian) bat. I had no idea about the differentiation of dreadlocks related to Rastafarian beliefs.

I live in the most diverse city in the US (according to census data). It is not unusual to see all sorts of culturally-derived hair styles among health care workers. Personally, I love to see anyone who exhibits pride in their heritage (hair - a - tage?). So, I think 'natural' hairstyles are great. There are quite a few employees in the TMC (Texas Medical Center) hospitals from West African nations who have some very intricate braided hairstyles... and some of the men even have tribal scarification. Asian sub-continent folks with nasal piercing and Hindus sporting their bindi... It's all good.

OTOH, I find it it awkwardly painful to see 'cultural vampires', people who try to adopt the habits or dress of another race or culture but only succeed in looking very strange ... I'm embarrassed for them. I felt the same way last week when a nice, clean cut young man helped me select a new printer. Sure, he was knowledgeable and polite, but all I could focus on were his bizarre facial tattoos & ring-toss earlobes swinging to his shoulders.

[Red Kryptonite]

OTOH, I find it it awkwardly painful to see 'cultural vampires', people who try to adopt the habits or dress of another race or culture but only succeed in looking very strange ... I'm embarrassed for them. I felt the same way last week when a nice, clean cut young man helped me select a new printer. Sure, he was knowledgeable and polite, but all I could focus on were his bizarre facial tattoos & ring-toss earlobes swinging to his shoulders.

LOL, right?

And let's just settle this once and for all....corn rows look STUPID on white people so just STOP IT. And that comes from the white girl who was jealous of the black girls in kindergarten, because while I had my one or two ponytails or braids, they got to sport a whole bunch, along with dozens of cute, colorful barrettes and beads all over them. But even at 5 I knew that what looked great on them would look ridiculous on me.

This concludes your cultural awareness PSA for the day.

[TheBlackDogWaits]

To answer the question of how Caucasian locks are formed, they are back-combed and twisted, and sometimes held together by product until they mature, or tighten - which usually takes a year or better. This all depends on the frequency of washing and rolling.

Back in my bohemians days, I had my hair locked, and I would even spray it with salt water to dry the hair out enough to lock it up. Contrary to popular belief, cleaner and dryer hair locks much better than filthy hair. I washed my hair every other day, and sprayed salt every other day. That is way more washing than even some folks who sport traditional hair styles wash!

As a last resort for the white folk like myself, there are stylists that fashion lock extensions. They come in all the same colors as any other hair extension on the market, and turn out actually looking quite beautiful.

... and for anyone who feels that a white girl can't sport locks without a cultural caveat, I was born and raised in the New Orleans area, where it's not unusual and generally more commonplace than other geographic areas for white folks to have locks. I think in considering culture, it's important to have pop culture on the radar, as well as being privy to regional variations of culture, heritage, and social norms.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

In psych, I've have coworkers--of both sexes AND of various races--with dreadlocks of varying lengths. As long as the dreads were clean/hygienic and kept out of the way (tied back, under a head covering, kept short, whatever), management hasn't had a problem with it.

[Khaan]

As long as it looks well-kep.