Driven to desperation, she takes a bold, painful step—shaving her thick, curly hair with her father’s clippers—seeking control and relief from the torment that lice have brought into her home. It’s more than just about the lice; it’s a quiet act of rebellion against the helplessness and endless struggle she’s endured.
I am 16 and my sisters are 13 and 10. They keep bringing lice to the house, I guess they get it at school or pass it back and forth between each other; for nearly the last year there has been lice on one or both of them more often than not.
I’ve gotten it a few times and it’s so hard to get rid of, my hair is thick and curly. My sister’s are also so gross, they won’t be careful what brushes or hats or scarves they use, they’ll lay down on anything, even the shared sofas or sometimes my bed with it.
It’s fucking nasty.
My parents get us shampoos and try to comb out my sisters hair, I do the treatment on my own, but it just won’t go away. Even now when my sisters aren’t even going to school anymore, lice is back and I’m so done.
Each time they promise it’s gone, it isn’t, and I’m so fed up.
I took my dad’s hair clippers when the rest of the family had gone for a hike and gave myself a buzz cut, I mainly did it because I am so grossed out by this lice thing.
But I also think that it’s gonna be a long time till I’ll be seen by anyone; schools cancelled for the year and only restarts in September now. So who cares how I look?
I think I look badass for the record, but I know short hair on women isn’t a super common look and a lot of people don’t like it.
My parents were so mad, calling me dramatic, impulsive, stupid, etc.
They also found out I put a picture on Instagram saying I’d buzzed my hair, and mentioning it was because I was stuck in a house with sister’s who couldn’t stop spreading lice, and I’d needed a new look anyway.
And they were so mad I was publicly bringing shame to the family’s reputation.
They are so mad that I did it because I’m supposed to get a job this summer, whenever businesses open again, and I’m ruining my chance of getting a job with that haircut
I said that I didn’t care about that, I was NOT going to have hair again until there had been no lice in the house for three months.
Conclusion
The original poster (OP) reached a breaking point due to the persistent and distressing issue of lice infestation stemming from their younger sisters’ lack of hygiene compliance. Feeling helpless and disgusted, the OP took an extreme, self-directed action—buzzing their hair—as a drastic measure to regain control over their personal environment and health, which directly contradicted their parents’ expectations for responsible behavior and reputation management.
Was the OP justified in taking such a drastic, permanent step to solve a health issue when direct communication and treatments had failed, or did this impulsive reaction damage necessary family trust and future prospects by prioritizing immediate relief over diplomatic solutions?
Here’s how people reacted:
Whatever your reason, it’s your hair and your head you are allowed to have whatever hair cut you want.
My mom struggled with that concept too, I just kinda ignore her and let her cry and throw her tantrum.
If anything it would be easier to get a food service job for you cuz don’t have to worry about hair nets.
Them being worried you are “bringing shame to the families reputation” with an Insta post is a bit dramatic but the most understanding of their complaints . I wouldn’t want my friends or extended family knowing how often my kids have lice.
Your only “mistake” was posting online about the lice. It wasn’t necessary, and I sort of agree with you parents there.
Your parents seem like they are doing a bad job at keeping lice away. Idk.. something is weird about that, and you have a right to be over it.
Edit: it’s awesome you feel confident about your decision and how you look! Rock that ish, you will still be successful in life.
Let me tell you, I (36F) have thick curly hair. When I was in high school my sister (6 years younger) had lice all the time. He best friend passed them on constantly as the didn’t treat her properly. I have vivid memories of sitting at my desk in my room gotting through my hair with a nit comb absolutely sobbing. Your feelings are valid.
With school out there is no reason your parents shouldn’t be able to get on top of the situation. They are ashamed that you embarrassed them because they know this.
Y’all are infested and unless your parents step up and take care of it it WILL keep happening.
Btw – constant recurring lice is parental neglect.
Was it dramatic and impulsive, yeah kind of, but so what.
As for getting a job, women with buzz cuts have been pretty socially acceptable since the 70’s. Most places aren’t going to care. Just because your parents are the type who clutch their pearls at the sight of a woman with short hair doesn’t mean a respectable employer will be as well.
But just a tip: I used to live in a country where lice was a constant problem. The best way to get rid of it isn’t any of those treatment solutions, it’s lice combs. They cost like $20 I think and you just condition your hair really well and run the lice comb over your scalp while you shower. Works better than anything else.
As a parent, I would do this if my kids couldn’t stop doing the things that cause lice to keep coming back. (The very things your sisters are doing.)
Shaming someone for getting lice is an asshole move and not ok. Shaming someone who has had lice for a while but is not succeeding at getting rid of it? Not ok. Shaming someone for keeping lice for months and not even really trying? Yeah, I’m good with that.
Lice-shaming your sister on Instagram was a cold move, that will probably have social fallout for her.
Aside from the Instagram slip, I like your pragmatic thinking. By the time social distancing measures are done, you can decide how much to let it grow back. A short haircut won’t cause any problem getting a job.
second of all, as someone who also has thick curly hair i am so jealous! buzzing it all off sounds like a dream. if only my dumb face were able to pull that look off. kudos to you!
Sure you look awesome and it might even help you get a job as you take initiative. NTA
Your parents need to do a better job at keeping your sisters’s hair clean.
Absolutely zero employers will care that you have a shaved head when you go to apply this summer.
> My parents were so mad, calling me dramatic, impulsive, stupid, etc.
Your parents need to get their children’s health in order.
Plus the shaved head look is actually pretty attractive on a lot of women.