I can’t imagine scaring a child for life just to avoid an altercation in school that may or may not happen. Grade school stuff becomes a distant memory not long after graduation.

Hell I used to get bullied for being a redhead back in those days. Then as an adult my hair became my biggest asset for attracting girls (and guys too for that matter 😅). If my parents had their way it would have been buzzed short but I grew it long and got more attention than an introvert knew what to do with.