Dress and Hair Regulations

Dress codes are typically implemented by school districts and employers to promote learning, safety, and image. Although such regulations face First Amendment challenges by students, parents, and employees, the courts generally support the schools and employers.

Likewise, employers generally may set standards for their employees’ personal appearance, including their hair length and style, if the regulations are related to legitimate business or governmental objectives. Employers, school officials, and prison administrators have given a number of reasons for regulations determining hair length and hair styles; among them are identification, safety, hygiene, and appropriateness.

Nevertheless, such regulations have led to First Amendment battles, with litigants in several cases challenging these policies for being discriminatory or for violating individuals’ rights to freedom of expression or the free exercise of religion.

New Rider v. Board of Education, Pawnee County, Oklahoma (1973)

In a case involving two Native American students, Justice William Douglas
argued that the Supreme Court should settle the disputes in lower courts
over the constitutionality of hair regulations for students in New Rider v.
Board of Education, Pawnee County, Oklahoma.

Canady v. Bossier Parish School Board (5th Cir.) (2001)

Canady v. Bossier Parish School Board (5th Cir. 2001) ruled that a public
school district did not violate students’ First Amendment rights when it
required uniforms for students.

Goldman v. Weinberger (1986)

In Goldman v. Weinberger, the Court ruled that the U.S. military did not
violate First Amendment rights by prohibiting soldiers from wearing
religious apparel.

Holt v. Hobbs (2015)

Holt v. Hobbs (2015) ruled that prison officials violated the First
Amendment religious liberty rights of a Muslim inmate by refusing to allow
him to grow a short beard.

Kelley v. Johnson (1976)

In Kelley v. Johnson (1976), the Supreme Court found that a county
regulation limiting the length of county policemen’s hair did not violate
the First or Fourteenth Amendment.

Melton v. Young (6th Cir.) (1972)

Melton v. Young (6th Cir. 1972) represents a time a court had to grapple
with the troubling question of the First Amendment and Confederate flag
clothing in public schools.

Olff v. East Side Union High School District (1972)

Although the Supreme Court never accepted a case on hair length of public
school students, Justice Douglas dissented many times from the decision not
to hear such cases.

Schacht v. United States (1970)

Schacht v. United States (1970) said prohibiting the wearing of an armed
forces uniform in theatrical productions that discredited the military
violated the First Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
established that public school students have First Amendment rights. It is
the seminal decision on student speech.

Dress and Hair Regulations

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