In my repressive boys-only high school, there was a rule that my hair wasn't allowed to touch my collar, ears or eyebrows. (My profile pic shows how well that stuck.)
I got a step cut into my hair because, why not? All of a sudden I was faced with a new rule: also no steps. The rationale given to me what that hair shouldn't be that big a deal.
Even as a teenager I could see that the adults, and the system, had turned hair into a control issue, and were blaming me for it.
This is a parable.
@sumpnlikefaith I have had a lot of conversations with employers, where I explained that a uniform or particular set of clothing can be taken off after work, but my hair cannot be put back on.
They are not entitled to make changes to my body that affect my non-working hours.
Don't work for people who make bad rules, or if you do, drive them crazy.
@AskTheDevil That last bit of advice, yes!
Ha ha!
It turns out that people who are that wired for control are pretty easy to frazzle.