Willow Smith's Mohawk: Kids and Self Expression

Consider this a follow up to an earlier post - Willow Smith's Hair: Too Cute Or Too Much? Because the youngest girl in the Smith clan has done it again!

When I was nine, it was all about getting the exact kind of floppy hat and waistcoat as inspired by Blossom. Soon after that came the Cross Colors phase and the burning need to own a leather Africa medallion of my very own. My parents may have shaken their heads at my whimsical fashion passions, but they allowed me to express myself. And for that I am grateful, even though I look back at photos of myself and cringe.

Someday, young Willow Smith may do the same when she sees this head-to-toe animal print ensemble that she wore to her brother Jaden's premiere for 'The Karate Kid,' but right now I know she is feeling fresh dressed like a million bucks, from the mohawk on down to the combat boots.

She is so cool and self possessed, and just nine years old! What some grown women would give for that kind of confidence!

Willow's style and hairstyle has been provoking some truly interesting online responses. For every commenter online saying "you go girl, express yourself!", there's a voice of dissent casting judgment on Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith as parents cosigning this look. Most specifically, the hair.

Which begs the question -- at what age do you decide to let your little girl or boy shave their head into a complete mohawk?

I'm thinking nine is a little young for regular folks outside of Hollywood, but hey -- I myself am not yet a mom. So I respectfully ask you, the parents who read BVHairTalk.com. Theoretical question: Your 9 year old wants to get a mohawk. What do you do?

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=892266&pid=892265&uts=1276032248

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Willow Smith's Wild Style

Smith arrives at the premiere of Columbia Pictures' 'The Karate Kid' at Mann's Village Theatre on June 7, 2010 in Westwood, Calif.

Willow Smith's Wild Style

Actress Willow Smith arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Perfect Game" in the Pacific Theaters at the Grove on April 5, 2010 in Los Angeles.

Willow Smith's Wild Style

Actress Willow Smith arrives at the "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" Los Angeles premiere on October 26, 2008 in Westwood, Calif.

Willow Smith's Wild Style

Willow Smith attends the premiere of 'Kit Kittredge: An American Girl' at The Grove on June 14, 2008 in Los Angeles.

Willow Smith's Wild Style

Willow Smith arrives at Nickelodeon's 23rd Annual Kids' Choice Awards held at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on March 27, 2010 in Los Angeles.

Willow Smith's Wild Style

Smith arrives at the premiere Of Paramount Pictures & Nickelodeon's 'Imagine That' at Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios lot on June 6, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Willow Smith's Wild Style