Of course, in reality things are a lot more complicated than that due to the shortcomings of individuals who have a compulsion to influence and control others. As a result, many battles have been fought over hair length. A recent example is of four-year-old Taylor Pugh in Texas who was excluded from class for not conforming to the school's policy regarding hair length for boys. The school claimed that long hair disrupted the educational process. Obviously this claim was made without any basis in fact and is nothing more than a blatant excuse used by school officials to interfer in the personal lives of students. Schools should never engage in this deceitful kind of practice in order to force individuals to adhere to the preferences of those in charge. Schools should send a message of respect for individual rights and acceptance of individual differences.

Freedom of choice should not only be celebrated in this country, but it should also be vigorously defended. Although hair length isn't all that important, it is emblematic of other issues and as such serves as a good illustration of how tyranny takes hold in the land of the supposedly free. Free individuals assert their rights in the face of overbearing bosses, tyrannical school officials, peers who try to coerce through the use of social pressure, unnecessary rules and regulations, and media messages encouraging viewers to conform to the latest fashion trend. Although living free isn't easy, it is what makes this country great and requires that individuals stand up to those who wish to limit their freedoms.