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Remember the 80's?

Most teenagers were too busy uncovering the complexiteis of the rubix cube, playing Atari, searching for the perfect swatch watch, or just trying to figure out what was Willis talkin' about to worry about fashion or hairstyles. However they at changed when video killed the radio star.

The 80's were a time when MTV actually played music, rock music began to make its way into suburban homes and upset parents across the country. Teenagers were heavily influenced by the music and the images on that channel. My home was no exception. Fortunately for me I was born in 1982, so I was spared from most of the fashion disasters that were popular in the 80'S, but two of my older brothers were not so lucky; they were teenagers during this time. I had opportunities to observe how music and fashion on MTV influenced their sense of style, or lack thereof. Rock music influenced teenagers to be "bad" and "tough." They -like many teenagers- searched for excuses to walk around with "chips" on there shoulders. This bad attitude contrasted with their "clean-cut" look. Naturally the question surfaced: how could they express their rebellious spirit with their style? In order to express ones toughness there is only one hair style that would do the job: the toughest hairstyle of them all - the mullet.

The mullet is a deceptively rebellious hair style. I say this, because when you first see a person with a mullet approaching it is generally not noticeable. In fact, some people can even seem very clean cut from the front. However, their wild side is revealed when they turn around exposing their long and uncontrollable hair hanging down between their shoulder blades. The mullet had several different variations. Some were curly, some straight, some wavy; some were accessories with dangling earrings from the left ear only, others were complimented by long and bushy sideburns, jean jackets and acid-washed jeans, while, unfortunately, some chose to wear a lonely mustache to complete their look. The undeniable toughness a mullet can exude has not been paralleled by any other hair style. Even the mo-hawk doesn't compare to genious of the mullet. A mo-hark screams "I wanna be different than everybody!" But the mullet simply says "get out of my way, or I'll kick your butt! because it's time to party!"

The benefits of wearing a mullet were numerous. Because of the initial clean cut appearance those that sported a mullet were able to foster good first impressions, therefore capable of obtaining decent jobs. Teenagers today that attempt to look tough often go too far overboard with over the top hairstyles, exessive peircings, and, if I may, lack of general hygiene; this, of course, ruins their chances at employment. The mullet, on the other hand, can decieves employers. By making a small effort to tame the wildness that exists in the back. one could temporarily restrain the beast. However, once work was over there was no taming the beast. The work uniform would be replaced with a sleeveless shirt with the name of a rock band, most likely AC/DC, and all hell would break loose.

There has never been such a ambiguous hair style before. This "business in the front and party in the back" style was not only a look, but it was an attitude pioneered by fashion-deprived individuals, much like my brothers, that survived the 80's and needed a way to express their wild side, but retain a certain sense of responsibility. As I look down the hallways of the school where I teach, I have noticed that responsibility has waved "bye bye" to some of these kids long ago. Although, I never wore a mullet, nor do I intend to, I have to admit that I respect the heck out of it!

Learn more about this author, Drew Price.
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